Indiana vs. Lakers

* Season series: 1-1.

* Story line: Except for one matchup, this would look like a pretty even series. Unfortunately that matchup could cost the Pacers 30 points or so a game. The problem is at center, where everyone, starting with the Pacers, concedes Rik Smits is no match for Shaquille O’Neal. Nor is it anything the Pacers are adept at covering up. As in the days when O’Neal was in the East and everyone stocked up on big guys to throw against him, the West now has the bigger teams. Portland, in particular, seemed to have been designed to play O’Neal and the Trail Blazers did an impressive job on him, even if it meant abandoning Ron Harper or Robert Horry, both of whom made key shots in Games 3 and 7. The Pacers are one of the biggest Eastern teams, but they’re not as physical as the Trail Blazers, nor half as good at double-teaming and rotating out of it. Coach Larry Bird says his team is so slow getting back to shooters, he rarely uses double-teaming, although he’ll have to make an exception for the next week or two. The Pacers can score. Eight of them shot 36% or better on three-point attempts this season. They’re also a hard-nosed veteran bunch, with key players such as Reggie Miller, who know this may be their last, best shot at an NBA title. “They’re a unique team,” Knick Coach Jeff Van Gundy said. “Most teams in this league are probably more athletic than they are, but there’s no more skilled team than Indiana. This is a great offensive team. They pass well. They shoot well. They move without the ball and not just one or two guys. They’ve got guys who know how to play basketball without the ball. They can shoot at any range.” However, the Pacers need Smits to stay out of foul trouble or there goes their inside game. Bird may play 6-foot-11 Dale Davis on O’Neal and use Smits to double-team. Let’s put it this way: Larry Legend had better think of something.

* Prediction: The race isn’t always to the biggest, the most athletic and the one with home-court advantage, but that’s the way it’s going to be. Lakers in six.