Both teams have established offensive systems. Both teams have veteran and excellent coaches. Both have inside-outside tandems - Kobe/Gasol and Williams/Boozer. This series will be decided on who defends better. Utah is a physical defensive team while L.A. is not as physical.

However, it seems L.A.’s defense have been improving during the Denver series. It’s interesting how Radmanovic has been utilized by Phil Jackson as a defensive presence to opposing teams’ offensive bigs.

Here are the matchups:

Point Guard

Obviously Deron has the edge here but not by much. Look for Fish to use his “veteran moves” to frustrate D-Will. Sasha might get more time than Jordan defending Deron - Sasha’s a pest, at least on getting in the nerves of who he guards.

Shooting Guard

The MVP vs Brewer? Guess who wins?

Small Forward

Kirilenko is a defensive beast, but on this series Odom will be paired on him most of the time. Phil will not want to waste Odom’s fouls on Boozer. Odom should win this matchup only because of his versatility.

Power Forward

Just looking at Boozer, you think he’s going to kill you. Radmanovic has been used by Phil differently in the playoffs - as a defensive piece. From the bottom of my heart, goodluck Vlade.

Center

Okur is like Laimbeer, a shooting center. He will draw Gasol out on defense. However, Gasol is much more versatile on a team that has enough shooters. Gasol’s mid-range jumper and court finesse is so special, it’s like the triangle offense was invented with him in mind as the center. Gasol wins this matchup.

Bench

Utah has Millsap, Harpring, Korver and Price. L.A. has Walton, Vujajic, Farmar and Turiaf. Arguably, L.A. has the best bench in the NBA and they play as a unit for a significant amount of time in the 2nd Quarter. They have bonded well on and off the court. L.A. will have the slight edge.

Coach - I’d say this matchup is even. Like I said, both coaches are excellent and have been successful in the playoffs for quite a number of years.

Intangibles - Now, the Lakers know Bynum will be out for good this season - they have closure. They will know what pieces they have for the rest of the playoffs. L.A. is well rested but could be rusty. Utah just finished a tiring series with a pesky Rockets team but they have the advantage of having a rhythm. No team will have any advantage here.

Prediction - Lakers in 6.

• Lakers 0, Spurs 0