Breakdown Of Hornets vs. Lakers

The 7th seeded New Orleans Hornets are heavy underdogs in the NBA playoffs as they battle the 2nd seeded L.A. Lakers. One key matchup where the Hornets have an advantage is the battle of the point guards, Chris Paul and Derek Fisher. Here is more from Lee Jenkins of cnnsi.com.

KEY MATCHUP

Chris Paul vs. Derek Fisher. When the Lakers get in trouble, it's often because of an ultra-quick point guard who is able to fly past Fisher and break down their defense. Just as the Lakers enjoy a decisive edge in the post, the Hornets should have one at the point, with Paul against the 36-year-old Fisher. The Lakers signed Steve Blake to spell Fisher in this kind of situation, but Blake is recovering from the chickenpox. Fisher traditionally performs better in the postseason and he will have to summon all his playoff guile to keep up with Paul.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/lee_jenkins/04/14/lakers.hornets/index.html#ixzz1JcdTmKky

Chris Paul of two years ago would run circles around Derek Fisher. The 2011 CP3 will still win the battle of point guards, but he has lost the quickness of his first step since his knee surgery last year. Paul does not possess the speed he used to, yet he still  quicker than the 36 year old Derek Fisher.