'Wednesday, September 24, 2008-- On Tuesday night, the WNBA Conference finals were set when the final two teams were set.

Detroit Shock Destroy Indiana Fever 80-61
In the early game on Tuesday night, the Detroit Shock came out of the gate firing on all cylinders and took a 30-point lead going into half-time. Although the Fever cut it to 20 at a couple of points, and ended with a 19-point deficit, they were never able to recover from an abysmal first half.

This type of lop-side victory only emphasizes the need for longer playoff series. In a 2-out-of-3 series, one team can have an off night, due to biorythms or whatever, and totally ruin their changes of getting to the big dance. Yet give them another chance three days later, and they'll give a competitive game and even take the win.

How often have we seen that in NBA playoff finals, where every series is at least 3-out-of-4. A team gets blown out in the first game, and it looks like the other team will have a walkover, but the first team recovers in the next game and it's a dog-fight from there on in.

When it comes to deciding a sports championship, 2-out-of-3 series just don't give enough scope.

Los Angeles Sparks Sink Seattle Storm, 71-64
Sparks rookie Candace Parker was the heroine on Tuesday night. Not only did she score 20 points for the Sparks, but one of those buckets was a momentum breaker with two minutes to go, which stopped the surging Storm in their tracks.

Lisa Leslie added 15 points of her own.

The Storm had been behind for much of the game, but mounted a comeback keyed by Sue Bird, who scored 11 of her 16 points in the second half. On the other hand, Sue had an abysmal first half, as the Sparks' guards were on her like glue, forcing several missed shots.

Also for the Storm, Tanisha Wright put in 20 points and Camille Little dropped in 17.

Conference Finals Begin Thursday, September 25, 2008
San Antonio and Los Angeles go at it on Thursday at 10:30 pm eastern time for the Western Conference finals, while Detroit and New York go at it on Friday at 7:30 eastern time.