Utah Jazz: Head-to-head matchups

POINT GUARD

Deron Williams vs. Derek Fisher

Fisher was Williams' backup and the Jazz's starting shooting guard last season; now he's back to running the Lakers' triangle offense. "He's a great defender, hits big shots, especially under pressure," Jazz forward Carlos Boozer said. "Makes his free throws. ... He's a big piece for them." Williams said Saturday he expects Fisher will guard him, even though Kobe Bryant often defends the opponent's best perimeter player.

SHOOTING GUARD

Ronnie Brewer vs. Kobe Bryant

Good luck guarding the NBA's MVP. That's the sentiment from many in Utah, which will throw Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko, Matt Harpring and the kitchen sink at Bryant. "We're gonna have to run guys at him, probably trap him some," Williams said. "Hope he misses." Brewer is battling a bad hamstring, but played 22 minutes and scored 13 points in Friday's Game 6 win vs. Houston.

SMALL FORWARD

Andrei Kirilenko vs. Lamar Odom

Odom may be the biggest beneficiary of Pau Gasol's arrival via trade, as now he reverts to dangerous role player. Challenging matchup, too, especially if Kirilenko's guarding Bryant. "They put you in a tough position there," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said, "because (Odom) can handle the ball, shoot the ball out on the perimeter." Then again, Kirilenko may draw Vladimir Radmanovic, leaving Odom to Boozer and Gasol to Mehmet Okur.

POWER FORWARD

Carlos Boozer vs. Pau Gasol

Boozer struggled to score vs. the Rockets and must break out if the Jazz are to have any hope in this series. But whom will he guard? Forward Odom, big man Gasol or forward Radmanovic? The Jazz were playing coy Saturday. "I'm not sure we can put Boozer on (Radmanovic)," Sloan said. "So we're caught, a little bit, trying to be able to match against them."

CENTER

Mehmet Okur vs. Vladimir Radmanovic

The strong-passing Gasol could be a physical handful for Okur, so maybe you let the two European 3-point shooters, Okur and Radmanovic, hang on the long-distance line and have Boozer muscle up on the former Memphis franchise icon. Or maybe not. "They've got some matchups I'm sure they're pleased with," Sloan said, "because of athletic ability and ... the way they play."

BENCH