These aren't just two of the best teams in the Western Conference -- these are two of the league's top teams.

Both have won at least 20 games this season, and it's a shame the Starzz aren't held in the same esteem as Houston or Los Angeles. Utah might be able to bolster its reputation in this series, because if Tina Thompson isn't up to 100 percent following this hip injury, the Comets could be in trouble.

While Sheryl Swoopes and Janeth Arcain help make Houston an incredible team, and Van Chancellor once again has put in a terrific coaching performance, the Comets won't win another title without Thompson on the floor.

Houston Comets
West seed: 2. Record: 24-8. Home record: 14-2. Streak: Won 1.
Last 10: 8-2. Points for: 64.8. Points against: 59.1.

Skinny: The Comets are well-coached and a great basketball team, but injuries are the big thing standing in Houston's way right now. Swoopes has been remarkable and is the ultimate star. But it's a long season, and recently she has had to battle a thigh contusion, a tweaked ankle and back spasms.

While Swoopes has been able to play through her injuries, Thompson's hip injury has forced her to sit, and that's a huge loss. Thompson averages 16.7 points and 7.5 rebounds, but also does many things that don't show up in the boxscore. She steps out on screens, takes posts away from the basket, makes the extra pass and knows when to penetrate and pitch. She's also one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.

Utah Starzz
West seed: 3. Record: 20-12. Home: 12-4. Streak: Won 1.
Last 10: 5-5. Points for: 75.6. Points against: 73.2.

Skinny: The Starzz have had a great season and have it all, from good inside and outside games to great leadership. Utah shoots 76 percent at the free-throw line and grabs an average of two more rebounds a game than its opponents.

Utah's starting lineup is incredible. Margo Dydek, the league's all-time blocks leader who has been terrific at both ends, and Adrienne Goodson are having their best seasons, and second-year player Marie Ferdinand, who is both very difficult to defend and a great defender, is the future of the game. Natalie Williams is a perennial All-Star, while Jennifer Azzi, who is shooting 44.6 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent at the foul line, is as steady as ever. Utah has done a great job this season and now just must believe it can play and win at the next level.

Playoff schedule
Aug. 16: Houston at Utah, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Aug. 18: Utah at Houston, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Aug. 20: Utah at Houston, time TBD, Oxygen (if necessary)

Season series
June 28: At Houston 73, Utah 57
July 3: Houston 78, at Utah 67
July 17: At Utah 75, Houston 67

1: Sonja Henning vs. Jennifer Azzi

	Azzi

	Henning

Henning, Houston: A tough defender, Henning can shoot the 3 but isn't going to get a lot of shots off over the course of the game. She's out there for her defensive presence, and in fact is shooting 36 percent from the field, just 25 percent from 3-point range and only 45 percent from the foul line. So Utah will most likely let her go offensively, and that's a problem for Houston. The Comets need more production from Henning than her two points-per-game scoring average. If she gets a look, she must be confident enough to knock it down. She's dishing out 2.1 assists, which ranks third on the team behind Arcain and Swoopes.
Azzi, Utah: She doesn't have a lot of flash and dash, but Azzi is simply steady and doesn't do a lot of things wrong. She just goes about her business -- making the extra pass and putting the ball in hands of the right people. She's averaging 9.6 points, 4.9 assists, a couple rebounds and shooting 46 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent at the foul line.
Advantage: Azzi. Sure she has some serious talent around her offensively, but she's probably the reason four Utah players are averaging double-figures in scoring. She's also one of the most prolific 3-point shooters and a veteran with plenty of postseason experience throughout her college and pro career.

2: Janeth Arcain vs. Marie Ferdinand

	Ferdinand

	Arcain

Arcain, Houston: This savvy veteran can play any position from point guard to power forward. Her stats are down this season, but that's because Arcain doesn't care about the numbers and just goes out there and does anything she can for her team to win. This season, that means she has sacrificed her game for the good of the Comets. A year ago, she averaged 18.5 points. This summer, she's averaging 11.5 ppg, but she's guarding all the tough perimeter players, and also playing point on several occasions throughout the game. She's still a tremendous rebounder and can post you.
Ferdinand, Utah: You can't call her a "future star" anymore because Ferdinand has arrived this season. Since college, she is much improved off the dribble and is just awesome and electric, with a wonderful pull-up shot. Everybody knew she was good coming out of LSU, especially after averaging 11 ppg last season. But she shot just 26 percent from 3-point range in 2001. Now, however, she seems to have a better understanding of how and where to get her shots, and is sinking 47 percent from the field. I love her game. She can slash, take you away from the basket, rebound and steal away the ball.
Advantage: Arcain. This one was a very tough decision that came down to experience. After all, she has four rings, and Arcain is just so clutch, always hitting the big shots whenever Houston needs them.

3: Sheryl Swoopes vs. Adrienne Goodson

	Goodson

	Swoopes

Swoopes, Houston: This MVP candidate has speed, smarts, can shoot, drive or rebound. Swoopes is one of the top two or three defenders in the league, too, and is a deadly off-ball defender. She can read the passing lanes like no one else. She can carry this team and has on many occasions.
Goodson, Utah: She's having a career season, averaging a team-high 15.7 points. I like the fact she gets a lot of her points within the flow of Utah's offense. She's also improved her 3-point shooting, which was a paltry 16 percent last season but has been nearly doubled to 29 percent this summer. She's worked on rounding out her game, and is an incredible rebounder. Of her 5.7 rebounding average, 2.8 come on the offensive end. She finds ways to compensate and score, whether it's getting to the foul line or on putbacks.
Advantage: Swoopes. She's a future Hall of Famer and the most understated All-Star in the league.

4: Tina Thompson vs. Natalie Williams

	Williams

	Thompson

Thompson, Houston: She's solid mentally, physically and emotionally, and of the best post defenders in the game. She has great footwork and gets great position. She's averaging 16.7 points and 7.5 rebounds, and puts amazing pressure on the other team's defense.
Williams, Utah: Though she struggled through the first nine games of the season as she overcame some injuries, and her numbers (11.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg) are slightly down from last season, Williams has played well during the second half of the season. She's a wonderful, very physical finisher who's very tough to defend. She's also expanded her game, and after shooting 0-for-4 from 3-point range last season, has nailed 5 of 12 attempts (42 percent) from long range this summer. Williams is a tremendous rebounder, too, and loves the left block, though she can shoot going left or right. Opponents should look to box her out after she shoots the ball, because she's very good at following her shot for the second-chance points. And don't forget she's a former All-Star and Olympian.
Advantage: Thompson, if she's healthy. The consummate professional, there's just no one like her.

5: Tiffani Johnson vs. Margo Dydek

	Dydek

	Johnson

Johnson, Houston: She's simply a role player, and her job is to rebound, make the outlet pass, play hard on defense, be physical and take high-percentage shot, usually a layup. Johnson's the team's best offensive rebounder with a 2.4 average off the offensive glass.
Dydek, Utah: The best shot-blocker in the league, Dydek also has a very well-rounded game. She's the top free-throw shooter among the starting five (84 percent), and is averaging 13 points, 9.0 boards and 3.5 blocks. She's 7 feet 2, but she can still take you on the perimeter and shoot the 3. It's no secret she creates a lot of matchup problems.
Advantage: Dydek. She's just a nightmare for foes when she gets loose on the low block.

Bench
Houston doesn't have a deep bench at all. Michelle Snow, who played Lisa Leslie to a standoff last week and has had a very successful rookie season, is really the only reserve seeing consistent minutes off the bench. Snow typically splits time with Johnson, and is averaging 14 minutes, 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds. Kelley Gibson and Grace Daley get some time, but really only get subbed in when Houston's perimeter players are tired or get into foul trouble. Utah's bench, meanwhile, got a boost when it picked up Semeka Randall (7 ppg since trade) in a trade two weeks ago that sent Kate Starbird to Seattle. Amy Herrig also adds some size in the post, and LaTonya Johnson sees some PT, too.
Advantage: Even. Both teams are starter heavy. Four of Utah's starters average more than 30 minutes, and foul-prone Dydek even averages 29 mpg. Still, Snow is more important to Houston's success and has a bigger impact on her team.

Coaches

	Harvey

	Chancellor

Van Chancellor, Houston: He's great at sticking to his game plan and having his team members execute it. Houston is the best defensive team in the league (59 ppg) and has great inside-outside balance within the halfcourt.
Candi Harvey, Utah: She has a great relationship with her players and they play hard for her. Utah is smart and experienced, and combine to form a good unit. The Starzz starters have it all -- height, strength, bulk, rebounders and shooters. Now they just have to convince themselves they can win.
Advantage: Houston. Chancellor has the rings and the experience, and has once again led his team to the top.

ESPN analyst and Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman is a former WNBA coach, general manager and player. She is a regular contributor to ESPN.com's women's basketball coverage.