HOW THEY MATCH UP

GUARDS

* Houston’s Cynthia Cooper (5 feet 10) and New York’s Teresa Weatherspoon (5-8)--This is the headline pairing of the series: Two emotional leaders, the league’s best in scoring (Cooper) and second-best in assists (Weatherspoon), both of whom were European pro stars for a decade before the WNBA was formed. Point guard Weatherspoon must stop not only Cooper’s shots but also her dish-offs--the Comets’ shooting guard had 28 assists in three playoff games against L.A.

* Houston’s Sonja Henning (5-7) and New York’s Crystal Robinson (5-10)--This shapes up as a mismatch. Robinson was the ABL’s best three-point shooter and was the WNBA’s fourth best (43.7%) in 1999.

CENTERS

* Houston’s Polina Tzekova (6-4) and New York’s Kym Hampton (6-2)--Hampton, 36, says she’s retiring after the playoffs, and from the looks of her swollen right knee for which she needs painkillers, it’s time. But in a short series she should have enough to stymie Tzekova. Hampton averaged 5.6 rebounds in the regular season but eight against Charlotte in the playoffs.

FORWARDS

* Houston’s Sheryl Swoopes (6-0) and New York’s Vickie Johnson (5-9)--Johnson is a 35% three-point shooter, but she’s also one of the best when they are most needed. She made five of six against the Sparks early in the season to break open a game. Swoopes is a brilliant full-court defender who runs the ball on breakaways faster and better than anyone in the league.

* Houston’s Tina Thompson (6-3) and New York’s Sue Wicks (6-3)--Houston Coach Van Chancellor calls Thompson the best inside defender in the league, and few would argue. Wicks, too, is a low post stopper and also a solid rebounder. But she’ll need help guarding Thompson, who likes to drift outside and shoot the three-pointer.

KEY RESERVES

* Houston--Janeth Arcain, Tammy Jackson.

* New York--Tamika Whitmore, Sophia Witherspoon, Becky Hammon.

* PREDICTION--Houston in two.