How Seattle and Los Angeles match up in first-round WNBA series

Point guards

Storm: Sue Bird, 5-10, 12.8 ppg, 5.8 apg.

Sparks: Kristi Harrower, 5-4, 3.1 ppg, 2.2 apg.

The matchup: Bird led the WNBA in assists this season and has the ability to create her own shot. She's a more vocal leader this year, which gives the advantage to Seattle.

Shooting guards

Storm: Tanisha Wright, 5-10, 12.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg

Sparks: Tina Thompson, 6-2, 13.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg

The matchup: Wright will be working overtime, defending the Olympian and contributing offensively to help keep L.A. honest on defense. Thompson, a league original, has too much experience, and the edge goes to L.A.

Forwards

Storm: Swin Cash, 6-1, 12.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg

Sparks: Candace Parker, 6-4, 13.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg

The matchup: Parker, back from giving birth in May, will play all over the court. Cash usually covers the opponents' best player, so she'll tag along. Healthy from back surgery in March, Cash has the skills to limit the reigning MVP.

Storm: Janell Burse, 6-5, 6.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg

Sparks: DeLisha Milton-Jones, 6-1, 10.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg

The matchup: Burse is a better offensive shooter than rebounder. She'll have to stay out of foul trouble and be physical from the jump to be sure Milton-Jones doesn't get the early advantage.

Center

Storm: Camille Little, 6-2, 10.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg

Sparks: Lisa Leslie, 6-5, 15.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg

The matchup: Little doesn't care about Leslie's fame or farewell. The third-year post player will use her quickness to get to the ball as she has done all season, playing strong under the hoop. Leslie will also have to watch foul trouble with her notorious elbows.

Bench

Storm: Playing without two-time MVP Lauren Jackson the final six games of the regular season, the reserves got a good run. Guard Shannon Johnson shot 48.4 percent from the field in her final five games. Center Suzy Batkovic-Brown scored 11 first-half points in the finale against San Antonio. Seattle needs to continue the production.

Sparks: As if the starting five weren't enough. L.A.'s bench features Betty Lennox, the Storm's 2004 Finals MVP, and fellow sharpshooters Marie Ferdinand-Harris and Noelle Quinn. Quinn could start, however. L.A. is too deep and too potent for Seattle.

Coaches

Storm: Brian Agler

Sparks: Michael Cooper

The matchup: Both are quality coaches, but Agler will be the one whipping up in-game schemes to battle Cooper's revolving door of talent. If L.A. is shooting well and interested in playing clean defense, this series could be over quick. Leslie had problems with her right knee early in the season and Parker is still getting into shape, but Cooper always has his team playing on another level this time of year.

Prediction: Los Angeles, 2-1.

Jayda Evans