It doesn’t get much better than a matchup of the best team in the Western Conference against the best team in the Eastern Conference. But then you add an individual battle between the league’s reigning MVP and the man many believe could win it this season.

So, to answer the burning question 24 hours before the Lakers play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers, will Kobe Bryant guard LeBron James in Monday’s game?

“I will definitely,” Bryant said after the Lakers’ practiced Sunday. “I have to guard him. I’m a little undersized. I’ll probably match up against him.”

Coach Phil Jackson was little less certain about the matchup, saying, “Kobe’s wanted to guard LeBron, but we haven’t always wanted him to guard LeBron. Last year, I thought Luke (Walton) did a really good job on (James). We have a variety of guys who can guard him.”