NY, Comets set for familiar finals

Weatherspoon and the New York Liberty will take on the Comets in the WNBA finals for the third time in the league's four-year history.

Houston beat New York last year to win its third straight title, but not before Weatherspoon hit a game-winning shot from halfcourt at the buzzer to force a third and deciding game.

"We were ready last year, we just fell short," she said after the Eastern Conference finals. "Hopefully we'll take advantage of the opportunity to play against such a great basketball team. But, we're not just in it to play, we want to win."

The Comets (31-5) knocked off regular-season champion Los Angeles in the West finals and will travel to Madison Square Garden for Thursday's opening game. Game 2 and then Game 3, if necessary, will be played in Houston this weekend.

"That's the happiest I've seen us in the locker room since I've been here," Comets coach Van Chancellor said of the celebration in Los Angeles. "I don't know that they were that happy after we won a championship."

No one has to remind Liberty coach Richie Adubato about who has the titles.

"We know Houston very well and we understand that they're the three-time champions," he said.