Overall, the Lakers are quicker and much more athletic — which enables their defense to cover more ground in the paint and to close down more passing lanes.

As opposed to Orlando's almost exclusive use of high screen/rolls and dumping the ball into Howard, L.A.'s offense is much more varied and therefore more difficult to contain.

With the notable exception of Howard, the Magic are not nearly as physical as were the Nuggets.

Over the years, virtually all of Phil Jackson's championship teams had the same modus operandi: Take two, three or sometimes four games to learn how the opponents play — their rhythms, strategies and use of personnel — before going for the kill. His game-to-game in-series adjustments lay at the heart of P.J.'s particular genius.

As evidenced in their close-out games against both Houston and Denver, the Lakers are capable of playing championship-caliber basketball.

Moreover, all of L.A.'s core players are veterans of championship series, and the Denver series appears to have sharpened their focus. Meanwhile, all of Orlando's are strangers in a paradise where newcomers are apt to lose their way.

Too many of the Magicians are mistake-prone — Alston, Pietrus and Turkoglu — and Orlando isn't nearly as good a ball club as last season's championship Celtics were.

The Lakers should win in 5.

Why the Magic could win