SCOUTING REPORT

STARTERS

The Timberwolves are long and athletic, from power forward Kevin Garnett to center Rasho Nesterovic to shooting guard Anthony Peeler. Wally Szczerbiak likely starts in the frontcourt alongside Garnett, point guard Troy Hudson alongside Peeler. Phil Jackson has hedged all season at power forward, though chances are Mark Madsen will get the early shot at Garnett. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant carry the scoring, though Derek Fisher’s jumper has come along. Rick Fox’s scoring average has risen in the playoffs the last two seasons.

Edge: LAKERS

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BENCH

If O’Neal is on his game, Flip Saunders’ first substitute likely will be at center for Nesterovic, who will teeter on the brink of foul trouble for much of the series. Marc Jackson and Gary Trent will get their mid-game minutes, and the Timberwolves will suffer without Nesterovic’s decent mid-range jumper. Joe Smith plays about 30 minutes a game, his presence allowing Garnett to play more as a small forward, which pushes Szczerbiak to shooting guard. Kendall Gill is a game defender who will see time defending Bryant. For the Lakers, Robert Horry excels in the playoffs and will finish games at power forward. Devean George had a disappointing season but played better in the final weeks. Jackson hopes rookie Jannero Pargo can chase Hudson, Rod Strickland and the Timberwolves’ other guards.

Edge: TIMBERWOLVES

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OFFENSE

The regular-season Lakers scored first and defended second or not at all. O’Neal and Bryant demand double- and triple-teams, and even that won’t guarantee a stop. Bryant comes off one of the great offensive seasons in Laker history, averaging 30.0 points and 5.9 assists, while O’Neal has gained strength and quickness since off-season surgery on his toe. He failed to lead the league in field-goal percentage for the first time in six seasons. Garnett is center tall and guard skilled. He averaged 23.0 points, 13.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists. Szczerbiak averaged 17.6 points, only 11.5 in two games against the Lakers. The Timberwolves were second in the league in shooting percentage.

Edge: LAKERS

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DEFENSE

Neither team had much of a stomach for defending, though the Lakers typically show improvement there in May and June. The Laker strategy is to funnel everything to O’Neal in the middle, and he has been much more active there recently. Bryant is a strong one-on-one defender when he respects his opponent, and otherwise roams the floor looking for steals and blocks. The Lakers were last in the league in defending the three-point shot. The Timberwolves are rangy, and so one of the few teams that embraced zone defenses from the start. They chase full court and trap, forcing teams to start their offenses deeper into the 24-second clock. Garnett is one of the best defenders in the league.

Edge: TIMBERWOLVES

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COACHING

For all of his regular-season victories, Jackson is perhaps the best postseason coach of all time. His next championship will be his 10th, passing Red Auerbach for the most ever. Jackson also has won a record 24 consecutive series. Saunders has lost in the first round each of the last six years.

Edge: LAKERS

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KEY TO THE SERIES

O’Neal, most valuable player of the Finals for three consecutive seasons, could dominate from the start, and on both ends. There is a potential for distraction; O’Neal’s grandfather died last week and he is expected to leave the team to attend the funeral. Saunders needs to crowd O’Neal on the interior and keep Bryant defended on the perimeter.

Prediction: LAKERS IN SIX GAMES