SPARKS PREVIEW: SPARKS SET TO RING SACRAMENTO BELL CONFERENCE FINALS TO BEGIN TONIGHT.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

When the Sparks open the WNBA's Western Conference finals tonight at Sacramento, one distinct sound is expected to greet them at Arco Arena:

The clang of cowbells.

In an attempt to distract free-throw shooters and annoy everybody else connected to the Sparks, Sacramento fans will try their best to push their team past rival Los Angeles.

Sound familiar?

To basketball fans, it should ring a bell.

The Sparks-Monarchs matchup is the sister feud of the Lakers-Kings rivalry, and tonight, everyone will see whether the meeting is as dramatic as its NBA counterpart.

Similar to the Lakers and Shaquille O'Neal, the Sparks have the league's most dominant player - Lisa Leslie. Similar to the Kings' attempts to foil the Lakers, the Monarchs have repeatedly tried to unseat the Sparks at the top of the WNBA.

This year, the analogy goes further. This WNBA Western Conference final looks eerily similar to the Lakers-Kings' NBA Western Conference final in 2002, when the Lakers were pushed to a dramatic seven-game series on their way to a third championship.

The Sparks, too, are on their quest for a third title, and just as in 2002, there is a school of thought that Sacramento is due.

``A lot of people would say they have the best team because they've been playing the best since the All-Star break,'' Sparks coach Michael Cooper said. ``But then again, we lost Smooth (Leslie) at the All-Star break, so we are just now getting in sync.''

Still, the Sparks had to go to three games and struggled to get past the Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the playoffs. Sacramento knocked off powerhouse Houston, which won the first four WNBA titles.

Sacramento looks rejuvenated. Coach Mike Whisenant took over with the Monarchs at 7-11, and the team has gone 12-4. In 2002, the Kings had the NBA's best record.

For the Sparks, they have not dominated as they did during their first two championships when they were 65-12 (.844) in the regular season and playoffs. They had an uncharacteristic four-game losing streak this season and are facing the only team that won a game against them during their first two championship playoff runs.

``If you really look at it, it's just what the Lakers had to go through for their three-peat,'' Leslie said. ``There is so much irony here in association between the Lakers and the Sparks. Unfortunately, it's been kind of the good and the bad now.''

About the differences between the WNBA and NBA rivalry, Leslie said: ``We're not trash talking about them, and they're not trash talking about us. At this point, we've all been able to maintain a level head in that area. But there is a competitive nature between L.A. and Sacramento. Their fans chant `Beat L.A.' when we're not even there.''

This season, the Sparks have split their four meetings with the Monarchs. Two years ago, the Sparks had to go three games in the Western Conference finals to beat Sacramento.

WNBA CONFERENCE FINALS PREVIEWS

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Sparks vs. Sacramento

Overview: What is on paper doesn't always translate to what happens on the basketball court. But on paper, the Sparks look like an overwhelming favorite to advance to the WNBA Finals.

The Sparks have edges at every position, but they could get into trouble if they need key minutes from their bench. Maybe veteran Sacramento coach John Whisenant has tricks up his sleeve to combat the Sparks' advantages and get Los Angeles off its game.

Center: This matchup goes to the league's most dominant player - Lisa Leslie. But she is facing no pushover in Yolanda Griffith. The biggest differences between the two are that Leslie has a better ability to bring her game outside the paint and Leslie is more menacing on defense. Edge: Sparks.

Forwards: The Sparks' DeLisha Milton and Mwadi Mabika face off against Tangela Smith and DeMya Walker. Smith has always been a good complement to Griffith, as Milton has been a complement to Leslie. The interesting matchup will be 6-foot-4 Walker vs. 5-11 Mabika at small forward. Walker could use her size to gain a scoring edge. Mabika uses her speed. Edge: Sparks.

Guards: Tamecka Dixon and Nikki Teasley each were All-Stars for the Sparks this season, so it is near to impossible to give Sacramento the edge. But the Monarchs have strong guards, too, with Edna Campbell and Ticha Penicheiro. The two can compete with Dixon and Teasley, but they're not as explosive offensively. Edge: Sparks.

Bench: This is the most lopsided category when comparing the teams. The Sparks' five starters could play more than 35 minutes apiece. With the loss of Latasha Byears and Rhonda Mapp, the Sparks rely on Jennifer Gillom, Vanessa Nygaard and Nicky McCrimmon for bench minutes, and those three often don't get a lot of minutes. In contrast, Sacramento has depth with Lady Grooms, Ruthie Bolton and Kara Lawson. Edge: Sacramento.

Coach: Like a lot of fans, Michael Cooper seems to become more enthused once the playoffs hit. He has been through playoff runs numerous times with the Lakers and knows how to prepare his team. But what Whisenant has done in Sacramento has been incredible. He turned around a 7-11 team that looked as if it weren't even going to make the playoffs. Plus, he coached Cooper at the University of New Mexico. If Sacramento wins, Whisenant will play a huge role in the upset. Edge: Sacramento.

Pick: Sparks in two.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit vs. Connecticut

Overview: This is another series in which Detroit appears to be a big favorite on paper. But Connecticut should not be taken too lightly.

Pick: Detroit in three.

- Joe Stevens

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WNBA CONFERENCE FINALS PREVIEWS (see text)