Insider Preview - Storm at Los Angeles (Game 1)

Lauren Jackson

"The main thing is we know that is their strength on both ends of the floor, and we've got our own strengths," Agler said, referring to the formidable Sparks frontcourt. "So we’ve got to try to get the game played to our strengths, and try and neutralize theirs."

Pace of play could be an important consideration. L.A. was the fastest team to make the playoffs, while the Storm finished the season as the WNBA's slowest-paced team. In particular, the Storm will want to take away the Sparks transition offense and force them to play against one of the league's stingiest half-court defenses. Star Candace Parker is particularly dangerous in transition. Agler said earlier this week that transition defense is something of a focus, but noted that the challenge is in executing on the floor. Over the course of the season, the Storm was excellent at taking away the fast break, but slipped to some extent in this regard late in the season.

Transition buckets could become important in what figures to be a defensive battle of a series. During the regular season, the Storm shot 36.6 percent in three head-to-head matchups while holding Los Angeles to 38.5 percent from the field. The highest score by either team in any of the three games was the 76 points scored by the Sparks in L.A. on June 24 - still decimal points below their season average.

While the Sparks will look to pound the ball inside and take advantage of their three go-to players in the frontcourt, the Storm does figure to have an edge in the backcourt. Point guard Sue Bird goes up against a pair of smaller defenders in 5-2 Shannon Bobbitt and 5-3 Temeka Johnson. Bird averaged 14.5 points in two matchups with Los Angeles, ignoring her three-minute outing in last Sunday's season finale. Her ability to score the ball will surely be important and gives the Storm a dimension the Sparks simply cannot match.

"Obviously we don't have Sue Bird on our team," said Sparks star Lisa Leslie, "so that's a major difference at the point-guard spot."

The Storm's health has been a topic all week. By this point, guard Sheryl Swoopes is ready to go, not having been limited in her comeback from a concussion since Tuesday's practice. However, Swin Cash remains doubtful, according to Agler. The Storm may not know whether Cash will be able to play until shortly before tip-off, but have to prepare assuming they will not have her in the lineup. Cash's absence would add importance to Swoopes' ability to contribute.

"We're going to need Sheryl to play and play well," said Agler. "Whether she's starting or off the bench, I think she'll play quality minutes."

KEY MATCHUP
	For the sixth time in the last eight years, the consensus top two centers in WNBA history will square off on the big stage of the postseason. While Leslie's Sparks squads denied Yolanda Griffith's Monarchs in 2001 and 2003, Sacramento eliminated Los Angeles from the playoffs three straight years from 2004 through 2006. When it comes to defending Leslie, Griffith knows all the tricks. Leslie did not play particularly well against the Storm in the regular season, averaging 6.0 points on 20.8 percent shooting. It will be important for Griffith to avoid foul trouble against Leslie. In the Storm's July 12 win, Griffith was able to stay on the floor for 30 minutes, picking up just four fouls and grabbing a season-high 12 rebounds.

Storm - Forward Swin Cash (back) is a game-time decision. Forward Lauren Jackson (right ankle surgery) is out.

Los Angeles - Center Christi Thomas (left knee surgery) is out.