SPARKS PREVIEW: PLAYOFF TUNEUP FOR SPARKS, COMETS.Byline: Pamela Lewis Staff Writer The WNBA WNBA Women's National Basketball Association WNBA World Ninepin Bowling Association WNBA Wannabe Nasty Boys Association WNBA Women's National Book Association, Inc. WNBA Warszawski Nurt Basketu Amatorskiego playoffs are less than a week away but there will be a playoff play·off also play-off n. Sports 1. A final game or series of games played to break a tie. 2. A series of games played to determine a championship. Noun 1. atmosphere when the Sparks and Houston Comets The Houston Comets are a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas. Formed in 1997, the team is one of the original WNBA teams and after winning four championships in the first four years of the league's existence, the Comets are also the first dynasty of meet this afternoon at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . Regardless of the outcome of the 1 p.m. game, the road to the fifth WNBA championship must go through the four-time champions Comets Non-periodic comets are seen only once. They are usually on near-parabolic orbits that will not return to the vicinity of the Sun for thousands of years, if ever. Periodic comets usually have elongated elliptical orbits, and usually return to the vicinity of the Sun after a number . ``Most people think it's still through L.A.,'' Houston coach Van Chancellor Van Chancellor (born September 27, 1943 in Louisville, Mississippi, United States) is the current Louisiana State University women's basketball coach. He was named head coach on April 11, 2007, replacing Pokey Chatman. said. The Sparks see it differently. ``Anybody who wants to be successful has to go through them,'' Sparks guard Tamecka Dixon said. The Sparks (26-3) have won 17 consecutive games and are 15-0 at home. ``They don't remember the last time they lost a game,'' Chancellor said. But past experience has taught the Sparks it doesn't matter how successful they are in the regular season if they can't get out of the West. Houston has beaten the Sparks in the Western Conference finals both times. The Sparks can't help but respect the Comets and their place in WNBA history. ``Yeah, 'cause they're the defending champs, so it's only by right,'' forward DeLisha Milton said. ``And then I would have to say New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of because they were the runners-up. You have to give respect where respect is due. But not saying that I'm slighting us any, because I think we've done a tremendous job this season, taking care of business at home and on the road.'' The Sparks opened the season with a 66-63 victory at Houston in May, but lost to the Comets 69-65 last month. ``I don't think (this) game will make or break us,'' Sparks coach Michael Cooper ``The thing I want us to do and the thing I'm waiting for is to play a good 40-minute game. There's been some lapses - four, five six minutes where we just (don't play smart) and that has given teams a chance to win and I think that's what we cannot have (today).'' The Comets are playing with leading scorer Tina Thompson Tina Marie Thompson (born February 10, 1975 in Los Angeles, California) is a professional basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). School years (20.1 points) at less than 100 percent due to an ankle injury. They are coming off a 72-55 loss to Seattle. ``We know we beat them the last time at home and now they are at their house and they have confidence,'' said Comets guard Janeth Arcain Janeth dos Santos Arcain (born April 11, 1969 in São Paulo, Brazil) is a Brazilian professional basketball player. She played for the Houston Comets from 1997-2005 in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). , Houston's second-leading scorer at 18.7 points per game. ``But it's a little pressure because they know we're still a good team ... and we come here to win. ``The key to the game is the rebound, because L.A. has good rebounding and Lisa Leslie The rivalry between the teams is intense. ``Once you step on the court and you see these two teams, and we see each other we know deep down inside it's on,'' Milton said. ``It's a different feeling that you get when you're playing Houston as opposed to when you're playing Cleveland or Indiana or anyone like that.'' SPARKS vs. HOUSTON Time: 1 p.m., at Staples Center. TV/Radio: Ch. 4; 1220-AM. Matchup: The Sparks (26-3) can become the first WNBA team to go undefeated at home with a victory today over the Comets. Center Lisa Leslie had 24 points and six rebounds in Wednesday's 79-67 victory over Phoenix - the 17th consecutive win for the Sparks. Nagging injuries to forward Tina Thompson (ankle) have slowed the Comets' progress. She was 3 of 16 from the field and scored only 10 points in Wednesday's 72-55 loss to Seattle. Guard Janeth Arcain, who has led the Comets in scoring the past eight games, had 24 points. Arcain also has been bothered by knee problems. The series is split 1-1 this year, but Houston holds a 16-7 edge all-time. - Pamela Lewis CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: ``Anybody who wants to be successful has to go through them,'' Sparks' Tamecka Dixon said of the Comets. Box: SPARKS vs. HOUSTON (see text) |
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