Head-to-head matchups

A close-up look at the matchups in the Western Conference Semifinal

POINT GUARD

Deron Williams vs. Baron Davis

Carlos Boozer got all the attention for his scoring and Mehmet Okur got much for his clutch 3-pointers in Game 7, but Deron Williams was the Jazz's unsung hero in their first-round series victory over the Houston Rockets. Williams, in just his second NBA season, almost always seemed to come through when Utah needed him most. He knew when to distribute, knew when to take the ball to the basket. And he saved his best for last, dishing a personal playoff high 14 assists and recording his first double-double of the series in Game 7.

In his eighth NBA season, Baron Davis is the quintessential savvy veteran. The UCLA product was an All-Star in 2002 and again in 2004, and joined the Warriors from New Orleans in February of 2005. He averaged 25 points per game and shot 52.9 percent from the field in Golden State's first-round series upset of Dallas, scoring 20 points in five of the six games and 30-plus in two of them. A hamstring strain hurt Davis in Game 6, especially on defense, promptly the Warriors to grudgingly go to a zone defense. Health of the hammy could a long way toward deciding this series.

SHOOTING GUARD

Derek Fisher vs. Monta Ellis

Derek Fisher left the Los Angeles Lakers for a generous contract from Golden State and did so with high hopes for a prominent role with the Warriors. But Fisher had trouble breaking out behind Davis and others during his two seasons in Oakland, prompting his trade to Utah last season. The owner of three NBA title rings with the Lakers starts at shooting guard for the Jazz and also backs up Williams at the point, but late in the Houston series — after struggling with his shooting — he found himself doing more fourth-quarter watching than playing.

Monta Ellis went from a second-round draft pick in 2005, straight out of his Mississippi high school, to the NBA's Most Improved Player award winner after just two seasons. The McDonald's High School All-American and Parade magazine national co-player of the year started 53 of 77 games in the regular season and five of six in the playoffs but saw his minutes drop from an average of 34.3 to 26.0 so far in the playoffs. He can play either guard position, much like Fisher, who matches up better sizewise with Davis and Ellis than any of Golden State's other regulars.

SMALL FORWARD

Andrei Kirilenko vs. Jason Richardson