Lakers-Celtics matchups

Celtics point guard: Rajon Rondo, 6-foot-1, 171 pounds. The young floor leader has struggled with his shot in the postseason after emerging as a scoring option during the regular season. Despite his stature, he plays big on defense and the boards.  (Rob Widdis / EPA)

Lakers shooting guard: Kobe Bryant, 6-foot-6, 205 pounds. The reigning MVP proved why most consider him the best basketball player in the game today -- if the game is close at the end, he finds a way to deliver the win.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics shooting guard: Ray Allen, 6-foot-5, 205 pounds. Of Boston’s Big Three, he’s the one who has been inconsistent in the postseason. Regardless, he’s still one of the best perimeter shooters in the game, with a quick release that forces defenders to stay near him.  (Jim Rogash / Getty Images)

Lakers small forward: Vladimir Radmanovic, 6-foot-10, 235 pounds. He could be a pivotal player in the series, with the Lakers needing him to provide not only offense but quality minutes on defense against Boston’s Paul Pierce.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics small forward: Paul Pierce, 6-foot-7, 235 pounds. The veteran swingman can score in a variety of ways, making him a tough matchup for the Lakers. His defense is underrated as well. Expect a lot of one-on-one showdowns against Kobe Bryant.  (Rob Widdis / EPA)

Lakers power forward: Lamar Odom, 6-foot-10, 230 pounds. A perfect third option on offense with the addition of Pau Gasol at center, Odom’s versatility at both ends of the floor will be needed against the Celtics, particularly his defense against Kevin Garnett.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics power forward: Kevin Garnett, 6-foot-11, 220 pounds. The Lakers will have to win the NBA title by facing the league’s best power fowards in back-to-back series. Nobody works harder at both ends of the floor than this former MVP.  (Michael Dwyer / Associated Press)

Lakers center: Pau Gasol, 7-foot, 250 pounds. When the highly skilled late-season acquisition plays well on offense, the Lakers are tough to beat. When he plays well at both ends of the floor, they are virtually impossible to beat.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics center: Kendrick Perkins, 6 feet 10, 264 pounds. The young big man has blossomed this season with the arrival of Kevin Garnett, but he’ll have his hands full trying to guard Pau Gasol or Lamar Odom. A wide body who pounded the boards against Detroit in the conference finals. NOTE: An earlier version of this caption misidentified Kendrick Perkins as Kendall Perkins.  (Elsa / Getty Images)

Lakers reserve forward: Trevor Ariza, 6-foot-8, 210 pounds. After missing the second half of the regular season and two rounds of the playoffs, this versatile small forward will be counted on to help guard Boston’s Paul Pierce.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics reserve forward: James Posey, 6-foot-8, 217 pounds. Most don’t know that he’s one of the best three-point shooting forwards in the game and is a top-rate defender. He’s often on the court at the end of games.  (Jeff Kowalsky / EPA)

Lakers reserve guard: Sasha Vujacic, 6-foot-7, 205 pounds. The long-range shooter and relentless defender is needed to provide a spark off the bench at both ends of the floor.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics reserve guard: Sam Cassell, 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. If either starting guard is struggling for Boston, this veteran point guard can provide a spark on offense.  (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

Lakers reserve forward/center: Ronny Turiaf, 6-foot-10, 250 pounds. His fiery brand of play will be needed against Boston’s much-improved front line. He’ll see minutes against wily veteran P.J. Brown and rugged youngsters Leon Powe and Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics reserve forward/center: P.J. Brown, 6-foot-11, 239 pounds. A late-season acquisition, this battle-tested veteran brings defense and rebounding to the second unit. He’s also made some clutch mid-range jumpers this postseason.  (Rhona Wise / EPA)

Lakers reserve forward: Luke Walton, 6-foot-8, 235 pounds. Although he has struggled in the postseason to find his shot, he works well with both the first and second units because of his savvy in the triangle offense.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics reserve forward: Leon Powe, 6-foot-8, 240 pounds. Although undersized for a power forward, his tenacity and drive make up for his lack of height. He’s also able to provide some scoring in the post.  (Elsa / Getty Images)

Lakers coach: Phil Jackson. Owner of nine championship rings as a coach. Could the magical run to the Western Conference title have come without Jackson, shown talking to assistant Kurt Rambis, at the helm? Probably not.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics coach: Doc Rivers. Although he still looks like he could suit up and play, he’s guided the team through two seven-game series and an Eastern Conference finals-clinching victory at Detroit in Game 6.  (Elsa / Getty Images)