Laidback attitude in LA

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Befitting laidback California, the mood at the Lakers practice facility appeared easy-going, though coach Phil Jackson described the players as "studious" during a roughly three-hour practice session Monday afternoon.

"They’re ready to start buckling down and thinking about what they have to do," said Jackson. "[We] try to get some offensive sequences in there that are a little different, run a little team that is representative of the Celtics, which is impossible to do."

Jackson patiently answered questions without revealing much in the way of strategy. He talked briefly about possible matchups, but made it clear the Lakers are not committing to anything.

On Lamar Odom matching up with Kevin Garnett:

"At times, I’m sure he will. We haven’t talked about that specifically. Well, I mentioned a little bit about it, but not a whole lot."

On a potential Kobe Bryant-Ray Allen matchup:

"That’s a matchup we’ll probably start with, but we’re going to move people around and find out who’s going to guard whom in this series. Those things will change dramatically as we go through the first game and through the series."