No matter how hot the Mavericks come out of the gates or how tough of a defensive presence they put forth, they have yet to find a stopper for Kobe Bryant. And just like the environment of STAPLES Center brings out the best in the Lakers opponents, the Mavericks bring out the best in Kobe Bryant. 
With capable post defenders in Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are going to have a much more difficult time scoring on the block than they did against the thin Hornets. However, when you have Bryant on the roster – that isn’t such an awful problem, as he is capable of putting the team on his back and willing them to at least one victory throughout the series.
Bryant is likely going to be matched up against DeShawn Stevenson, Roddy Beabouis and Jason Terry – all undersized guards with lacking defensive skills. And you best believe, with such weak defensive matchups, he’s going to be looking to draw first blood from the get-go.
He lives for big moments – he feeds on them – and he’s going to do whatever it takes to ensure that the Lakers come out of the series on top.
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