
Will Kobe and Co. go for the jugular?

Which key defender can stay out of foul trouble?

Do the Magic have three point guards, or none?
The return of Jameer Nelson (pictured) from a four-month absence
following shoulder surgery was supposed to give the Magic great depth
at point guard. Instead, it's muddled things. Rafer Alston, still the
starter, is having a horrible series. Nelson has been decent as a
backup but isn't close to his All-Star form. Anthony Johnson hasn't
left the bench so far in the Finals. With Alston and Nelson struggling,
Stan Van Gundy went without a point guard down the stretch of Game 2,
letting 6-10 forward Hedo Turkloglu take the ball upcourt and initiate
the offense. That setup, with guards J.J. Redick and Courtney Lee as
designated shooters, worked well enough that the Magic may reprise it
in Game 3, though Van Gundy surely would prefer that at least one of
his point guards starts playing at a championship level.

Is Pau Gasol the best big man in the series?
Orlando's
best chance to win this series was -- and still is -- for Dwight Howard
to dominate Pau Gasol down low. So far, however, Gasol has held his own
with the so-called Superman, and then some. Through two games, he has
40 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two turnovers,
while Howard has 29 points, 31 rebounds, six assists, six blocks and
nine TOs. Granted, Howard is getting more defensive attention than
Gasol. But the Lakers center is frustrating his younger counterpart on
both ends of the court with his array of offensive moves and
surprisingly sturdy defense. Unless Howard starts imposing his will and
making Gasol look soft rather than savvy, this series won't last much
longer.

Can the Magic win three straight at home?