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Playoffs glance

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No. 1 Connecticut

vs. No. 4 Washington

Regular season: Connecticut won 3-1.

All-time playoff records: Connecticut (2-2), Washington (3-4).

The word: The Mystics are revitalized behind rookie Alana Beard, making the postseason for the first time since 2002. But Connecticut, which won five of its final six games to take first in the East, has its own sparkling youngster in Lindsay Whalen, who has been solid at the point for the Sun. It should be a high-scoring matchup with both teams ranking among the top five in offense and Washington giving up a league-high 70.1 points.

Prediction: Connecticut in three.

No. 2 New York

vs. No. 3 Detroit

Regular season: Tied 2-2.

All-time playoff records: New York (15-14), Detroit (6-3).
 
The word: Detroit benefited from a balanced conference, otherwise its roller-coaster play wouldn't have earned it a late berth to defend last summer's title. Without Olympian Swin Cash (knee), the Shock takes on a different look, but center Cheryl Ford is trying to fill the void. Liberty mainstay guard Becky Hammon has returned from a knee injury to shine. The Liberty is mediocre stats-wise, but wins behind great rebounding.

Prediction: Detroit in three.

Western Conference

No. 1 Los Angeles

vs. No. 4 Sacramento

Regular season: Tied 2-2.

All-time playoff records: Los Angeles (21-9), Sacramento (6-8).

The word: The Monarchs are the only team not to lose a season series with the Sparks this summer and one of two to defeat it at Staples Center, where L.A. was 15-2. Sacramento lost to L.A. in the Western Conference finals by one last-ditch bucket last season, making this the most anticipated series of the first round. The Monarchs will need a strong showing by their frontcourt, including Olympian Yolanda Griffith, to stop the Sparks.

Prediction: Sacramento in three.

No. 2 Seattle

vs. No. 3 Minnesota

Regular season: Seattle won 2-1.

All-time playoff records: Seattle (0-2), Minnesota (1-2).

The word: The Storm is focused and no longer happy to hang around in its second postseason appearance, where it hopes to drop the tag as the only WNBA team never to win a playoff game. The week before the series helped Seattle tweak its defense and work on individual shooting, ranking in the top three in points, field-goal percentage, and three-point shooting. Minnesota is 5-5 without injured Olympian Katie Smith but is too inexperienced at key positions to pull out a postseason series win.

Prediction: Seattle in two.

Jayda Evans