Lakers will encounter a tall(er) order

Mavericks' sufficient height, depth and expertise stand in stark contrast to L.A.'s undersized, undermanned first-round opponent, New Orleans. Topping Lakers' to-do checklist: containing All-Star Dirk Nowitzki Minnesota Vikings jerseys

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

Unlike the Lakers' first-round opponent, the undersized and undermanned New Orleans Hornets, the Mavericks bring what Los Angeles assistant coach Jim Cleamons called the "total package."

The Mavericks have an All-Star and onetime NBA most valuable player in Dirk Nowitzki. They've one of the NBA's all-time best point guards in Jason Kidd. They have a tremendous sub in Jason Terry. They have size and depth.

And not to be forgotten ?a and perhaps just as entertaining ?a Dallas has an proprietor in Mark Cuban who is more than willing to trade zings with the Zingmaster, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson.

The Mavericks current a problem the Lakers know will probably be a test, beginning with Game 1 Monday evening at Staples Center.

"They've got plenty of personnel," stated Cleamons, who will be in charge of placing collectively the Lakers' game plan for this best-of-seven sequence. "They are deep. It should be a very fascinating sequence. I do not believe anyone will pick us to sweep them."

Kidd runs the show, but Nowitzki is Dallas' go-to man. He averaged 22 points on 46.3% shooting in opposition to the Lakers in 3 regular-season video games.

He averaged 27.3 points per game against the Portland Path Blazers in Dallas' first-round playoff series.

"Nowitzki is really a coach's nightmare to match up against," Cleamons said. "He's so versatile and such an exquisite shooter. He keeps you off stability together with his leap shot. Then he'll post you up a bit bit much more plus they run nearly every thing through him."

At 7 feet and using the shooting skills of a guard, Nowitzki poses a risk from nearly anyplace, including three-point assortment.

Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom will take turns defending him.

"He's able to shoot the ball from anyplace on the court," Odom said. "He's one of the best at posting up within the middle with the court, which most players don't do. You see most players post up around the block. Dirk loves the center with the court. He's able to hit turnarounds and get towards the basket."

Seeking to begin strong

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

They say which was a wake-up call, some thing they have mentioned.

"We understand how important Game 1s are inside a sequence," Jackson stated following apply Sunday. "They really set the tone."

The Lakers wish to begin this sequence the right way, which suggests beating the Mavericks within the initial game.

"It's just important to always come out and play nicely in the playoffs no matter what game it's," Odom statedNew England Patriots jerseys