NY Liberty Advances to WNBA Finals

N E W  Y O R K, Aug. 22 -- There is a familiar foe waiting for the New YorkLiberty in the WNBA Finals.

Tamika Whitmore scored 19 points and New York nursed a largelead to beat the Cleveland Rockers 81-67 Monday night. The Libertywill meet the three-time champion Houston Comets in thebest-of-three finals.

“We were very proud of ourselves because of what we had to gothrough the entire season with nobody believing in us,” captainTeresa Weatherspoon said. “We’re very happy with what we’veaccomplished, but we haven’t accomplished anything yet — ourultimate goal.”

A Familiar Matchup

The Comets, the only champion in the league’s four-year history,beat New York in the one-game final in 1997 and again last year inthe last game of a three-game series. Houston swept Los Angeles towin the West.

“We were ready last year, but we just fell short,” saidWeatherspoon, who hit a half-court game-winning shot at the buzzerto force a decisive game in the 1999 finals. “We have thatopportunity this time and I believe that we can really takeadvantage.”

The Comets and Liberty split two regular season games, with eachteam winning at home. The best-of-three series opens Thursday nightat Madison Square Garden, where the Liberty have won 13 straight.Game 2 and Game 3, if necessary, will be played in Houston.

“We know Houston very well,” Liberty coach Richie Adubatosaid. “They have tremendous talent and I think we will have toplay as good as we’ve played all year to beat them.”

Liberty Dominated Early

Tari Phillips and Crystal Robinson combined for 18 points duringa 30-2 run as the Liberty took control early. In Sunday’s secondgame of the Eastern Conference finals, New York jumped out to a24-7 lead after a 19-0 run, but had to hold on for a five-pointvictory.

“We knew that they could make a comeback,” Weatherspoon said.“We didn’t want to come out and have the same second half that wehad yesterday.”