Detroit fans hope to see their backcourt-- awful in game two-- step up for tonight's game three. "We want to shoot," says Nolan. "But we kind of don't want to shoot because that's what [zone defenses like the Mercury's] want us to do."

Phoenix fans want to see lots of people in the stands. The Merc have opened the upper bowl of their arena, which would seat 18K if it sold out; Donna Orender notes that playoff TV ratings are up 15% from last year.

Coach Westhead wants to see just what he's been seeing from center Tan Smith. Tall, no banger, but an outside shooter, she is-- he says-- "the perfect center" for his fast-break style.

Ford's knee makes her status another game-time decision: so says coach Laimbeer.