WNBA Friday playoff preview

September 17, 10:36 PMWomen's Sports ExaminerZalika Green

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In a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference championship, the Indiana Fever will host the Detroit Shock on Friday night in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. Detroit has the advantage with a roster full of savvy veterans with championship experience. Three-point specialist Katie Smith and Deanna Nolan, who has one of the best jump shots in the league, will help open up the lane inside for post players Kara Braxton, Plenette Pierson, and Taj McWilliams-Franklin. This season, the Indiana Fever added another offensive threat in guard/forward Katie Douglas, but still ended the season with a record worst than last years. The Fever is lacking offensive production and is currently ranked 12th out of the 14 teams in points per game. The Detroit Shock swept the Fever in their regular season series 3-0 and will have no troubling handling them again in the playoffs. I have Detroit winning this series in two games.

The Los Angeles Sparks have the advantage over the Seattle Storm in the first round. Los Angeles players Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie will dictate the Sparks offense inside. But despite having two of the most dominating posts on the low block, the Sparks underachieved this season with a 3rd place finish in the west and a record of 20-14. Their backcourt is the most vulnerable position for L.A., lacking in consistency and depth. The Seattle Storm needs to put pressure on Leslie, Parker, and DeLisha Milton-Jones inside and force the Sparks guards to make outside shots to have a chance to advance. Storm guard Sue Bird should look to shoot more and pass less, and pray that her post players can grab boards and finish shots inside. I have the Sparks winning in three games.