Friday WNBA Open Thread: The other two first round playoff series begin at 7 PM EDT on ESPN2

(Post originally written by thewiz06)

Happy Friday! The other four teams in the postseason will play today as they attempt to make a run for the WNBA Championship. All games on ESPN2 starting at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

Game 1: #3 Atlanta Dream at #2 Indiana Fever for Round 1 in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

WNBA.com | Dream Preview | Angel led the league in scoring and steals | Fever Preview | Catchings is a 5x Defensive MVP, Angel was 2nd in the voting | Catchings and January made the First All Defensive Team | League Series Preview

Connecticut got a lot of hardware, but so did Indy. Tamika Catchings continued to add to her Defensive MVP (POY) award collection, getting five for her career. In addition, Briann January also was on the team. Angel McCoughtry led the league in scoring average and also was 2nd place for the Defensive POY award, but didn't even make the All-Defense team if I'm reading correctly.

Both teams made the Conference Finals last year with ATL winning the round, but this time, someone is going home in round 1 this time. I don't know which team is a favorite here. ATL can win in any round and has proven it in the past. The Dream also won 7 of its last 10 games. But Indy has had more consistent regular season success perennially and at some point, that does translate to the post season too and it has for them.

Game 2: #4 Seattle Storm at #1 Minnesota Lynx for Round 1 in the Western Conference Playoffs, 9 PM ET/6 PM PT

WNBA.com | Storm Preview | Lynx Preview | Maya has stepped up her game this year | And the Lynx had a pretty great year | League Series Preview

This is a battle between the two last league champions, and Minny as you know, won it all last year.

Though I don't anticipate the Storm pulling an upset, the team has won three in a row heading into tonight, and should be fully healthy with its dynamic duo and their savvy veteran teammates, including new acquisitions Ann Wauters and Tina Thompson. The Storm hopes that this collection of basketball IQ, experience, and skills will help the Storm win this round, and hopefully win a third championship for the Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson core.

The Lynx however has an overall younger team with the exception of Mama Taj, and seem to have an answer at every position where the Storm has strength. After all, they did beat Seattle every time this season except once, but this time LJ is back.

Though the Storm may keep things interesting, I do think the Lynx will win this series in the end.

So those are today's games. Enjoy the basketball, and feel free to show your homerism where appropriate!