Lakers is against Dallas

Mavericks' ample height, depth and expertise stand in stark contrast to L.A.'s undersized, undermanned first-round opponent, New Orleans. Topping Lakers' to-do checklist: that contains All-Star Dirk NowitzkiSt Louis Rams jerseys

The Lakers will encounter a different set of hurdles when they encounter the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference playoffs.

In contrast to the Lakers' first-round opponent, the undersized and undermanned New Orleans Hornets, the Mavericks bring what Los Angeles assistant coach Jim Cleamons known as the "total package."

The Mavericks have an All-Star and onetime NBA most valuable player in Dirk Nowitzki. They've 1 with the NBA's all-time greatest stage guards in Jason Kidd. They've a super sub in Jason Terry. They've dimension and depth.

And not to become forgotten ?a and maybe just as entertaining ?a Dallas has an proprietor in Mark Cuban who's more than prepared to exchange zings with the Zingmaster, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson.

The Mavericks present a challenge the Lakers know will probably be a check, starting with Game 1 Monday night at Staples Middle.

"They've got plenty of personnel," said Cleamons, who will probably be accountable for putting together the Lakers' game plan for this best-of-seven sequence. "They are deep. It ought to be a really interesting sequence. I don't think anyone will choose us to sweep them."

Kidd runs the show, but Nowitzki is Dallas' go-to guy. He averaged 22 points on 46.3% shooting against the Lakers in three regular-season video games.

He averaged 27.3 points per game in opposition to the Portland Trail Blazers in Dallas' first-round playoff sequence.

"Nowitzki is really a coach's nightmare to match up against," Cleamons said. "He's so flexible and this kind of a wonderful shooter. He retains you off balance with his jump shot. Then he'll post you up a bit bit much more plus they operate nearly every thing via him."

At seven feet and with the shooting skills of the guard, Nowitzki poses a risk from almost anyplace, including three-point range.

Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom will take turns defending him.

"He's able to shoot the ball from anywhere on the court," Odom said. "He's among the best at posting up in the center with the court, which most players do not do. You see most gamers post up around the block. Dirk loves the center of the court. He is in a position to hit turnarounds and get towards the basket."

Looking to begin strong

The Lakers misplaced Game 1 in opposition to New Orleans at Staples Center, thus shedding the home-court benefit.

They say that was a wake-up call, something they've mentioned.

"We know how essential Game 1s are in a sequence," Jackson said following practice Sunday. "They truly set the tone."

The Lakers want to begin this sequence the right way, which means beating the Mavericks within the first game.

"It's just important to usually come out and play well within the playoffs regardless of what game it is," Odom stated Tennessee Titans jerseys