The Other Matchups

Detroit versus Connecticut

The 2003 champion Shock, which acquired Olympian Katie Smith in a late-season trade, has five All-Stars in its lineup, including the league's best rebounding tandem, Cheryl Ford and Ruth Riley (14.5 boards a game combined). But the Sun, which finished with the WNBA's best record, averages a league-high 16.8 assists per game, avoids turnovers and has four double-figure scorers (among them All-Stars Nykesha Sales and Taj McWilliams-Franklin).

New York versus Indiana

The Liberty is hurting: All-Star center Ann Wauters was sidelined with a broken right hand on Aug. 11, and standout forward-center Elena Baranova (left) missed the final regular-season game with a sprained right ankle. The Fever won the season series 3-1 and is led by forward Tamika Catchings, a top candidate for league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.

Seattle versus Houston

The defending champion Storm is on a roll again, having finished the regular season with a nine-game home winning streak powered by guards Sue Bird and Betty Lennox and forward Lauren Jackson. The lower-seeded Comets have the WNBA's leading scorer in forward Sheryl Swoopes (18.6 points per game).