More previews... Monarchs and Shock folks agree: defense wins championships. Coach Whiz: "I can see five games coming to the last minute." Deanna Nolan: "If we don't score, they don't score."

The Bee's Gutierrez points out that just one Monarch averages over thirty postseason minutes this year: it's Kara Lawson, who is there to score.

Monarchs backup PG Kristin Haynie says she's psyched for a series in Michigan: look for her college teammates Bowen and Roehrig, and for her parents, in the seats tonight.

Bill Laimbeer really likes the word "maturity." Katie Smith prefers "prepared."

Clay picks Sacramento in five: "If Detroit plays as well as it can play every time out, the Shock will win the series, but history says that Laimbeer's team will give at least one game away."