THE MATCHUPS • JAZZ vs. ROCKETS

POWER FORWARD

CARLOS BOOZER
21.1 ppg
10.4 rpg

The two-time All-Star Game selection is the only NBA player to average 10-plus rebounds and 20-plus points each of the past two seasons. Fifty-one double-doubles this season. The Duke product averaged 23.5 points and 12.2 boards in last year's playoffs. He was Utah's high-scorer in five 2007 postseason games vs. Houston, including one with 41 and one with 35.

LUIS SCOLA
10.3 ppg
6.4 rpg

Scola may be a rookie — he was one of the league's best this season — but the 28-year-old Argentine is quite experienced internationally. He will probably end up guarding Mehmet Okur, and this is his first taste of the NBA playoffs. He's a low double-digit scorer, but averages only 6.4 rebounds per game.

SMALL FORWARD

ANDREI KIRILENKO
11.0 ppg,
4.7 rpg

Kirilenko melted down in Houston last postseason, reduced to tears by a limited offensive role and frustration playing for coach Jerry Sloan. He wanted an offseason trade. But the lanky Russian has satisfied Sloan this season, and his defense is needed against Houston's Tracy McGrady. He's not the superstar he is internationally, but the 2004 NBA All-Star is integral to Utah's postseason hopes.

SHANE BATTIER
9.3 ppg

5.1 rpg

Battier is a small forward on offense, but the Duke product — one of the league's top defenders on the wing — frequently guards other teams' shooting guards. He plays with Matt Harpring-like grit, and gives pretty much anyone he's up against fits. To put his play in perspective, Battier has long been a Jerry Sloan favorite. True class off the court, too.

CENTER

MEHMET OKUR
14.5 ppg
7.7 rpg

Okur commendably guarded Chinese giant Yao Ming in last year's series vs. Houston, but his offensive output (average: 11.0 points) suffered accordingly. This year injured Yao is out, so the big Turk has no reason for not producing on both ends. Okur's healthy, spurring double-digit scoring in 23-of-24 end-of-the-season games.

He's added a new dimension, too, driving with previously absent confidence.

DIKEMEMBE MUTOMBO
3.0 ppg
5.1 rpg

The 7-foot-2 Mutombo didn't play (coach's decision) most of the first half of the season. Then out-for-the-playoffs All-Star Yao Ming went down with a stress-fractured bone in his left foot, and now Mutombo is starting and averaging 16 minutes per game. The affable, finger-wagging Congo native will block some shots, but the 16-year vet is a matchup waiting to be exploited by Carlos Boozer.