No. 8 Jazz (44-38) vs. No. 1 Kings (61-21)

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 intanglibles. Look for his analysis from the first round all the way through to the NBA Finals.

BACKCOURT

EDGE

The point guard matchup between Mike Bibby and John Stockton is pretty much a wash. They are both heady players who make few mistakes. Stockton is still the master at generating offense, but Bibby is solid. He is careful with the ball and makes open shots. Jerry Sloan may decide to go with Bryon Russell at the two-guard to match up against Doug Christie. Russell is a solid defender, but I don't think he can contain Christie. The Kings' team game gives them the edge in the backcourt. They run the floor well and are a great passing team. The guards, as well as everyone else, will get opportunities to score.

FRONTCOURT

EDGE

Chris Webber and Karl Malone will battle in a classic power forward matchup. But Webber has too much quickness for the Mailman at this point in his career. Although Malone has an edge in the power game, Webber can get up and down the floor better, is quick to the basket and is quicker to the ball on rebounds. Donyell Marshall is back playing now and may start in place of Andrei Kirilenko at small forward. He could be a significant factor the Jazz against Predrag Stojakovic. Kirilenko is a very good defender with long arms. He can bother Stojakovic because he is also quick-footed and leads the Jazz in blocked shots. But again, because of the Kings' team game, Stojakovic will get open opportunities. In the middle, the Kings have an edge with Vlade Divac against anyone from Utah. They have been starting rookie Jarron Collins. Divac is a very clever player and an excellent passer. He has ways of getting balls to the basket and drawing fouls against less-experienced players.

BENCH

EDGE

The Kings' bench is limited to three players -- Bobby Jackson, Hidayet Turkoglu and Scot Pollard -- but they are very productive. In the playoffs I wouldn't be surprised if coach Rick Adelman sticks with those three. Pollard a banger at either big forward or center. Jackson is a great hustler and my choice as the NBA's top sixth man. Turkoglu is extremely versatile; he can play any of the four positions other than center. He is a good defender, ball handler and outside shooter. If the Jazz starts Russell, their bench doesn't have much to offer. They will probably use Scott Padgett, while DeShawn Stevenson may get a few minutes. But they are all marginal players, while the Kings have a solid bench group.

INTANGIBLES	EDGE
The Kings have a great overall team game. They run the floor and -- with the exception of Pollard -- seven of the eight players they use are excellent passers. They also rebound and defend well enough and make few mistakes. Plus, the Kings were 4-0 against Utah this season and dominated every game.

PREDICTION
Kings in three. They need to focus and not take anything for granted, especially the fact they swept the Jazz in the regular season. The Kings are a tough matchup for Utah, which isn't deep enough to contest them off the bench. Stockton and Malone, however, will not ride off into the sunset without a strong effort.