How They Match Up

A look at how the Sparks match up with the two-time WNBA champion Houston Comets tonight in their Western Conference finals opener:

FORWARDS

HOUSTON--Sheryl Swoopes (6-0), Tina Thompson (6-2).

SPARKS--DeLisha Milton (6-2), La’Keshia Frett (6-2).

* Swoopes is the quickest player in the league, a defensive greyhound who specializes in tipping passes on the perimeter, then turning them into breakaways. Thompson has a consistent, near-errorless game. She rebounds with anyone and scores inside and out. Milton is a superb defender inside and a high-percentage shooter within 15 feet. Frett, the Sparks’ stopper on defense, will guard Cooper or Swoopes, maybe both.

CENTER

HOUSTON--Polina Tzekova (6-4)

SPARKS--Lisa Leslie (6-5)

* There is no contest here. Leslie is fast off the pivot, an excellent defender and can score on anyone inside. And lately she’s brought her three-point shot up to 42%. WNBA teams try to take advantage of the slow Tzekova down low, and tonight will be no exception.

GUARDS

HOUSTON--Sonja Henning (5-7), Cynthia Cooper (5-10)

SPARKS--Gordana Grubin (5-8), Mwadi Mabika (6-0)

* Van Chancellor tried vainly in the off-season to sign Grubin, a Yugoslav who has emerged as the Sparks’ floor leader and top three-point shooter at 43%, fifth in the WNBA. Mabika is the team’s best clutch shooter and may be the league’s best pure athlete. Henning is a technician, rarely turns the ball over and doesn’t score much. Cooper is Cooper. In spite of the phenomenal year by Sacramento’s Yolanda Griffith, Cooper could win a third straight MVP award.

BENCH

* Chancellor was correct when he called the Sparks the WNBA’s deepest team. There have been games this season when Orlando Woolridge’s 11th player got double-digit minutes. Backup Comet post Tammy Jackson averages 14 minutes a game and 6-7 Kara Wolters has appeared in only 10 games. When the Comets defeated Sacramento Saturday in their regular-season finale, only the first seven players got double-digit minutes.