The Starzz ended the regular season by putting a halt to the Sparks 18-game winning streak with an OT buzzer-beater. Utah went on to make its first ever playoff appearance, but fell to the Monarchs in the first round. Who better then to preview the Western Conference Finals than Starzz assistant coach Tammi Reiss? Not only does she have the sideline insight from coaching against both the Sparks and the Monarchs, but she also has the court sense from having played for the Starzz as their first round draft pick in 1997.

#1 Los Angeles vs. #2 Sacramento

Season Series Review: Los Angeles won series 3-0
July 19 @ Sacramento: Los Angeles 83, Sacramento 68
July 25 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 80, Sacramento 78
August 2 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 67, Sacramento 62

Player vs. Player Matchups: Scouting Report

I see it as a very close series which will be determined by the guard play. I think the low post players will block each other out because they are both strong. Whichever team shoots better form the outside and defends better will win the series.

Three keys for the Sparks:

This team needs to get out and run. They need to score on transition offense and get the easy buckets.

L.A. needs to play more man-to-man defense. They have a strong zone but they cannot rely on it or they will give Sacramento open threes.

Rebounding is the key to the game. I truly believe that rebounding controls this series. Rebounding determines whether or not a team runs and gets second chance points. L.A. has a little more height and bigger guards so they have the slight advantage.

Three keys for the Monarchs:

Yolanda Griffith, Yolanda, Yolanda!! Just kidding.

Sacramento needs to improve their defense, especially transition defense and half court defense.

Team rebounds are very important for Sacramento, especially in the two and three spot.

Sacramento needs to shoot the three very well. Their guards need to take the shot and make it -- shoot a high percentage.

X-Factors:

Leslie

Lisa Leslie is L.A.'s x-factor. If she comes to play and puts up the big numbers and defends Yolanda, then she is the key. If she plays like the MVP that she is, they will be fine. Mwadi Mabika is also the x-factor for L.A. She can help control the game and is bigger and stronger than Sac's guards. If these two play well, L.A. will sweep

Penicheiro

Ticha Penicheiro is Sacramento's x-factor. She really needs to look to score, especially when L.A. is double-teaming Yolanda. She must be a scoring guard and be a threat. She needs to score on the transition and the outside shot. If she doesn't score, the Monarchs will not win.

Bottom Line:

L.A. is the favorite only because I think they have the confidence. They have beaten Sacramento three times already and that will help them. L.A. is well coached, have a great deal of maturity and that may be what they were lacking last year. L.A. has the edge because of their experience, coaching, talent and maturity. They have great athletes, who have strong basketball skills. Add confidence and that gives the edge to L.A. Sacramento may get one but LA will win the series.