The Suns were a great team a year ago without star center Amare Stoudemire, who missed virtually the entire year with a knee injury. This season Stoudemire was back to pre-injury form, earning All-NBA first team honors. Add forwards Shawn Marion and Kurt Thomas, and the Suns' frontcourt is averaging 49.2 points and 27.5 rebounds per game during the playoffs.

Duncan is great, but the Suns frontline creates more matchup problems.

Better for Utah based on the frontcourt: San Antonio

BACKCOURT — Steve Nash has simply been the best basketball player on the planet the past three years. He has two MVP awards and this year's second-place showing to prove it. Jazz fans know Nash's backcourt mate well, too. Raja Bell was a fan — and Jerry Sloan — favorite during his two years in Utah due to his determination, work ethic and 3-point shooting. San Antonio's Tony Parker is an All-Star in his own right who shoots an incredible percentage from the field for a point guard due to his ability to penetrate and get layups. He is not as physical as Golden State's Baron Davis, but he could still give Utah's Deron Williams problems. He is joined by defensive specialist/3-point shooter Bruce Bowen.

The guardlines are close, but the slight advantage goes to the team with the two-time MVP.

Better for Utah based on the backcourt: San Antonio.

BENCH PLAY: The Suns have the NBA's sixth man of the year in Leandro Barbosa, who is averaging 16.1 points in the playoffs.

The Spurs counter with former All-Star Manu Ginobili, who is averaging 14.1 points and who made huge 3-pointers down the stretch during San Antonio's Game 5 victory on Wednesday.

The Suns are also getting solid contributions from Boris Diaw — when he isn't suspended like he was for Game 5 — and James Jones. Phoenix has only been going eight players deep, however.

The Spurs have a 10-man rotation — including Robert Horry (when he's not suspended), Brent Barry and ex-Jazzman Jacque Vaughn.

The Spurs go a little deeper, but the Suns bench players are slightly better. That makes for a draw.

Better for Utah based on the bench play: even

STYLE OF PLAY: San Antonio is like Utah's first round opponent, Houston, with its halfcourt offense and defensive-minded style — only the Spurs are better than the Rockets.

Phoenix is like Utah's second-round opponent, Golden State, with its run-and-gun style on offense and pressure defense that can force plenty of turnovers — only the Suns are better than the Warriors.

The Jazz needed only five games to beat the Warriors while they needed seven to down the Rockets. For that reason, it appears the run-and-gun style opponent is better for them.