This week's game between the two Western rivals is being touted as a preview of the conference finals, and rightfully so. Momentum for the two teams as they head down the stretch after the All Star Break and bragging rights for the fans who love to hate each other. This is one game where there is no clear favorite. Los Angeles won 12 games in a row before Portland surprised the Sparks on Tuesday. The Comets are riding a 10-game win streak.
Swoopes is one of the few players who impacts the game on both ends of the hardwood.
Although Swoopes recently overtook Minnesota's Katie Smith as the WNBA's top gun with a 21.3 scoring average, her most impressive statistic this season has nothing to do with scoring. Cynthia Cooper is determined to give the L.A. crowd a rousing farewell performance. Coop wants to prove she's still got the goods and that she's walking away from the game because she wants to. But the X-factor for Houston this season is Tina Thompson. The Comets are the three-time champions, and that counts for something.