.500 records and first-round exits were not what was expected for the Shock after the 2003 title. Point guard Elaine Powell was the oldest of the Shock's starters in 2003 at just 28 years of age, but the loss of sixth woman Kedra Holland-Corn, less favorable officiating and injuries - most notably a torn ACL suffered by All-Star Swin Cash late in the 2004 season - combined to bring Detroit down ... until now.

At 17-7, the Shock owns the WNBA's third-best record, just a game and a half back of the Connecticut Sun for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference. With six wins in the last seven games, Detroit shows no signs of fading, though the remainder of the schedule is difficult - Detroit plays 10 games in 16 days starting tonight, including a pair of back-to-backs. The return to glory has been achieved in part with a return to the 2003 roster - Detroit's big off-season acquisition was Holland-Corn, traded to Houston after the championship. The newest return is by Powell, who had departed last off-season in the expansion draft but was re-signed Wednesday after being waived by Chicago. That gives the Shock the same top six as in 2003, with the addition of the WNBA's all-time leading 3-point shooter, Katie Smith.

Despite an All-Star starting lineup - all five players were All-Stars in 2005; three were this year - Detroit's offense has not been particularly potent. The Shock's Offensive Rating of 98.0 points per 100 possessions is worse than league average, but Detroit ranks fifth in the league in Defensive Rating. The Shock's opponents shoot 39.1% from the field, the league's best mark, and Detroit also tops the circuit in defensive rebound percentage, but the Shock forces just 14.2 turnovers per game, fourth-lowest in the WNBA.

The Storm returns home looking to maintain the momentum of winning the last three games of a four-game road trip. After struggling on the road and dominating at home last year, the Storm has completely reversed course this year, going an identical 7-6 thus far both at KeyArena and away to tie the franchise record for road wins. The Storm expects to have guard Betty Lennox in the lineup though Lennox had to leave Tuesday's win at Phoenix with a right knee contusion, but Janell Burse remains sidelined after suffering a left shoulder subluxation last Thursday.

G U A R D S
	At the start of training camp, Smith rejected the term "point guard," but the natural wing has grown more comfortable in the position. Her 3.5 assists per game are a career high. Smith worked hard to get into better shape last off-season and leads the WNBA in minutes per game. Her shot has come back after an off 2005 season, with her 41.5% shooting from the field and 36.5% from 3-point range very near her career averages. Storm guard Sue Bird had a season-high 25 points Tuesday in Phoenix, shooting 5-for-9 from 3-point range.
	Shooting guard is a marquee matchup when these teams get together. Three-time All-Star Deanna Nolan averaged 22.5 points per game last year against the Storm, but Lennox made the biggest shot, a game-winning jumper in the final minute of the matchup in Seattle. Nolan is a versatile contributor who leads the Shock and ranks fifth in the league with 3.8 assists per game and adds five rebounds as well. Lennox did not shoot the ball particularly well on the Storm's road trip, but still averaged 15.0 points per game.
F O R W A R D S
	Before her ACL tear, Cash had put together an MVP-caliber 2004 season. She did not return to the court until just before last year's All-Star break and clearly was not herself, averaging just 5.7 points per game. That mark has more than doubled to 11.9 points this year, but Cash's 39.4% shooting is a far cry from her 46.9% in 2004. Cash is at her best when she's taking the ball to the basket and getting to the free-throw line, so Iziane Castro Marques and other Storm defenders will focus on keeping her on the perimeter.
	Shock forward Cheryl Ford has had a breakout fourth campaign, emerging as Detroit's leading scorer to go along with her consistent prowess on the glass. Ford's average of 14.4 points per game is more than three points better than she has ever averaged before, and her 51.7% shooting also would shatter her previous career high (47.4%). Ford has recorded 12 double-doubles in 22 games. Storm forward Lauren Jackson has put together back-to-back double-doubles and is fourth in the league in rebounding behind Ford (first).
C E N T E R
	Shock center Ruth Riley, the 2003 WNBA Finals MVP, suffered through a difficult 2005 season, shooting a career-low 37.5% from the field. This year, she's rebounded to 49.5% and ranks fourth in the WNBA with 1.6 blocks per game. Riley effectively complements Ford because she is most comfortable playing the high post and shooting from midrange. That ability may cause the Storm to crossmatch up front. Tiffani Johnson has been solid on the glass for the Storm in replacing Burse, averaging 5.8 rebounds per game on the road trip.
B E N C H
	The Shock has leaned heavily on its starting five, with only two reserves averaging more than 10 minutes per game thus far. Holland-Corn (right) has provided some perimeter shooting, hitting 33.9% of her 3s, but is averaging a career-low 3.7 points per game. Plenette Pierson backs up both forward spots and has contributed 6.8 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 46.9%. Talented center Kara Braxton has dropped off after a promising rookie season, averaging 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Powell played just one minute in her return to Detroit, but could see more action tonight with a practice behind her. Storm guard Edwige Lawson-Wade (left) played 16 minutes Tuesday and gave the Storm a lift with a pair of 3-pointers. Barbara Turner had a second straight strong game off the bench, scoring 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting and handing out five assists. Tanisha Wright added seven points and four assists.

TEAM LEADERS JACKSON FORD Jackson 19.5 PPG Ford 14.4 Jackson 8.3 RPG Ford 11.0 Bird 4.9 APG Nolan 3.8 Bird 1.7 SPG Nolan 1.0 Jackson 1.5 BPG Riley 1.6 Bird 31.2 MPG Smith 35.0

The Storm is 5-1 all-time against teams employing John Maxwell.

LAST TIME

With ABC in the house, the Storm hosted Detroit July 23 in what was then a matchup of the last two WNBA Champions. Early it was all Storm, as Seattle led by as many as 15 points. The Shock answered with a 10-0 run, however, pulling even by halftime. The game would stay tight throughout the second half, with neither team leading by more than five points. A Riley free throw tied the game at 71-all with 39.0 seconds left. After a 20-second timeout, the Storm got a Lennox jumper on the inbounds to go up two. Nolan got a good look at a go-ahead 3, but it was off as was Nolan's desperation tying attempt at the buzzer as the Storm won 74-71. Jackson led the way with 21 points, while Nolan had 22 and Ford 15 points and 16 rebounds for Detroit.

INJURIES

Storm - Guard Betty Lennox (right knee contusion) is probable. Forwards Shaunzinski Gortman (torn right ACL) and Wendy Palmer (partially torn left Achilles tendon) and center Janell Burse (left shoulder subluxation) are out.

Detroit - None.