Oxygen: L.A. Sparks at Seattle Storm, June 18

Antonelli

WNBA on Oxygen: L.A. Sparks at Seattle Storm
10 p.m. ET Tuesday, June 18

The L.A. Sparks, with the best record in the WNBA, head north to take on the Seattle Storm, who boast the last two overall No. 1 draft picks. Don't miss this Western Conference showdown Tuesday on Oxygen. Oxygen's Debbie Antonelli takes a look at the matchup.

BIG PICTURE
The reigning 2001 WNBA Champion L.A. Sparks comes to Seattle to take on the playoff-contending Seattle Storm. The Sparks arrive with the Western Conference's best record at 7-1.

Antonelli: Nikki Teasley has all the tools a point guard should. Fernando Medina NBAE/Getty Images

Lisa Leslie, 2001 WNBA MVP, leads the team in scoring and rebounding as one of only two players in the league averaging a double-double (Washington's Chamique Holdsclaw being the other). Leslie may be the biggest star in the league.

Fresh off a NCAA title while at the University of Connecticut, Sue Bird is a star in the making. Bird is the second overall No. 1 in a row for the Storm and that good fortune is paying off. Bird leads the team in scoring and has been the team's top scorer in six of the Storm's eight games.

The other No. 1 pick is 6-foot-5 Lauren Jackson, the Australian who is third behind Leslie in blocked shots. Jackson is a multi-faceted post player who is one of the better young players in the world. At 4-4, Seattle will be hard pressed to go over .500 with the world champions visiting.

INSIDE THE SPARKS

Talent and good coaching are at a premium in the league and L.A. has both. Leslie leads the WNBA with five double-doubles and her excellence is more than just her impressive averages.

She is the total offensive and defensive package. Her presence on the floor affects the opposition's entire defensive scheme. Add to that, the Sparks are healthy and their veterans are playing well.

Four players in double figures allows coach Michael Cooper to get points from any position on the floor at all times. The addition of Nikki Teasley gives them size at the point, another three-point shooter and she is a terrific ball-handler and passer. What coach wouldn't want the offensive weapons Teasley has? L.A. can play, and win, at any speed, proving they can win whether the score is in the 60's, 70's, 80's or 90's.

INSIDE THE STORM

In baseball, you have to be strong up the middle. The same is true is basketball, meaning from the point to the center.

Bird and Jackson are the cornerstones of the foundation Lin Dunn is building. She counts on them to produce and they do. I like the flexibility of the backcourt Semeka Randall, Felicia Ragland and now Amanda Lassiter. They each bring something different and all those skills and more will be needed to beat a talented L.A. team. Bird is a true talent and fun to watch. Check out that quick release with someone in her face. She's got game!

KEY MATCH-UP

Jackson

Leslie

Watching Leslie and Jackson fight for position on the inside might remind you of the Lewis-Tyson fight. Both are grinders, physical, hard workers and can finish. That match in the middle should be an entertaining clash for two tough competitors.

The other match up to watch is how many people Cooper will run at Bird to keep her from getting hot. I expect L.A. to go big at times, small and quick at others when guarding Bird. They will mix it up and stay with someone fresh at all times.

FINAL PREDICTION

I'll go with L.A. because of their experience and depth.