LAKER WATCH : THE MATCHUP

FRONTLINE

EDGE: Rockets

Foul problems, or avoiding them, should play a critical role in the series. Elden Campbell and Vlade Divac need to play big minutes; if Derek Strong or Corie Blount have to play Hakeem Olajuwon, that will probably force the Lakers into an automatic double team that would allow Houston’s hair-trigger outside shooters a ton of open looks. If everyone is available, the Lakers will probably stay with their regular-season strategy of mixing up the coverages on Olajuwon--playing him straight up with Campbell or Divac or at other times sending help. On offense, the Lakers could also turn any Houston foul troubles into a major advantage because they have three major post-up threats in Divac, Campbell and Magic Johnson and the Rockets lack of depth inside. The Rockets, despite the presence of Olajuwon, remain one of the worst rebounding teams in the league by percentage, so the Lakers could capitalize there too.

BACKCOURT

EDGE: Lakers

Houston’s three-point shooters have given the Lakers problems--Kenny Smith made 11 of 15 tries in the four regular-season meetings and Sam Cassell was nine of 20. The Rockets give everyone problems in that area. They’ll launch at any time, making up for a poor accuracy rate by taking the second-most shots from behind the arc in the league. What the Lakers can counter with in the backcourt depends largely on whether Anthony Peeler’s recent hot streak can be extended to his healing powers. With Peeler sound, and that appears unlikely at least for Game 1, they go a legitimate four deep at guard, five if Johnson plays back there. Whoever they are. Laker outside shooters must be at least respectable to discourage Houston defenders from collapsing inside. Nick Van Exel returns from his seven-game suspension to face a team he averaged 18 points and shot 45.8% against during the season, both significantly better than his league-wide numbers.

STYLES OF PLAY

EDGE: Rockets

The Lakers will hardly be confused with a physical team, but they will try to pound the ball inside to Johnson, Divac and Campbell. The Rockets want to get into a transition game, use their athletic front line on the fastbreaks or have guards drive and kick for open perimeter shots. They’ll also pull up for three-pointers in transition. The Lakers must get back on defense. They can match Houston for speed and athleticism, so they will at least have that ability. The question is whether they’ll consistently do it. That means no stopping to argue with referees, a point Coach Del Harris will again stress.

COACHING/INTANGIBLES

EDGE: Rockets

The greatness of the Rockets, of which two consecutive titles are proof, lies in their ability to become so focused during the playoffs. They’re a veteran team that plays without ego and understands everything about the challenges of playing without home-court advantage or facing elimination. They don’t rattle. The Lakers’ intangible? Somebody named Johnson. “Here’s a team that without Magic I think is good,” Rocket Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. “With Magic, he gives them the potential to be a champion. He makes players better with his passing, and his leadership on the floor is something you just can’t measure.”