lThe Matchup: No. 4 Charlotte vs. No. 1 New Jersey

Hall of Fame coach Dr. Jack Ramsay provides analysis for ESPN on SportsCenter and NBA Today. Here he breaks down the playoffs for ESPN.com. Also a former color analyst for the Heat, Ramsay's impressive résumé includes making the playoffs in 16 of his 20 seasons as coach and winning an NBA title with Portland in 1977.

Throughout the 2002 playoffs, Dr. Jack will break down each series from the backcourts to intangibles. Look for his analysis from the first round all the way through to the NBA Finals.

BACKCOURT

EDGE

The point-guard duel between Baron Davis and Jason Kidd is the key matchup in the series and is as good as it gets. Both are very skilled players. Davis matured dramatically over the course of the season and during the first round of the playoffs. He has the whole package. He is better with his decision-making. He can penetrate. He is so strong; he either explodes past his opponent or just muscles his way to the basket area. Davis also has great elevation, is a good offensive rebounder, can post up, can shoot the three and is a tough defender. Davis probably matches up better with Kidd than anybody in the league. Kidd is a better ball-handler and decision-maker with the ball. But even though Kidd made the NBA all-defensive team, I would rate Davis as a better one-on-one defender. Kidd excels more in the team concept. The key for Davis is to keep Kidd from generating a fast-break attack by himself, and Davis can do that. At the two-guard, Kerry Kittles goes against David Wesley. Kittles has been struggling with his game, but he's a sprinter. He can run the floor better than Wesley. He can get out on the break and finish at the basket. Although he is shooting erratically in the playoffs, Kittles can knock down the perimeter shot. Wesley, meanwhile, is small in height, but he's a good shooter with range who can also penetrate.

FRONTCOURT

EDGE

Even though Jamal Mashburn is expected to miss Game 1, I get the sense he will play. How well, though, remains to be seen. He's been out a long time and hasn't been able to work out. His stamina may be affected. If he doesn't start or only plays limited minutes in the series, the Hornets will use either Lee Nailon or 7-footer Jamaal Magloire, who is suspended for Game 1. The Nets play big at the small forward, with Keith Van Horn, while playing Kenyon Martin at the big forward. Magloire, though, has developed into a good player. He rebounds, blocks shots, has good hands and can knock down the face-the-basket jumper. Nailon, a lefty, runs the floor and is more fluid at 6-foot-8. Either Nailon or Magloire can hold his own against Van Horn. At the big forward, Martin will match up against P.J. Brown, a good defender who has to keep Martin off the boards and run with him on fast breaks. He must neutralize Martin, who had a big series against Indiana, especially in Game 5. At center, it will either be Elden Campbell or Magloire against Todd MacCulloch. Campbell is not a big rebounder, shot blocker or scorer, but he does everything well.

BENCH

EDGE

The Nets are deeper and have better quality off the bench than the Hornets do. Richard Jefferson and Lucious Harris play the most minutes for the Nets off the bench. They also use Jason Collins as a backup center and have Aaron Williams, who has been effective. The Hornets will have Nailon and Magloire if one doesn't start. They are solid off the bench, but otherwise there isn't much there. They also use Stacey Augmon, who has helped as a defensive player. The Hornets don't have much in the way of backcourt help off the bench. Wesley plays the point when Davis rests, something he rarely does.

INTANGIBLES

EDGE

Much will depend on Mashburn's availability and Davis being able to get through the series without hurting his back again. If both can stay healthy, the Hornets should win the series. It's hard to pinpoint if the Hornets' imminent move to New Orleans has any effect on them. It doesn't seem they care where the games are played. The Hornets played before a quiet home crowd much of the season. They are starting to get more support now that they have advanced further in the playoffs, but they have been forced to play better on the road.

PREDICTION
Hornets in six. Again, if the Hornets remain healthy, they will win. They are too strong up front, and I believe Davis can neutralize Kidd.