2014 WNBA Conference Semi-Finals Predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2014 WNBA Conference Semi-Finals (best-of-3).

Eastern Conference

(E1) Atlanta Dream vs (E4) Chicago Sky- The top seeded Atlanta Dream take on the Chicago Sky in a mediocre Eastern Conference, but this is a neat matchup since Chicago star winger Elena Delle Done is back from injury and Atlanta guard and All Star Game MVP Shoni Shimmel along with Atlanta forward Angel McCoughtry would be fun to watch play against one another. This is a close call, but I think Delle Done puts her team behind her back and leads Chicago to the Conference Finals. Sky in 3.

(E2) Indiana Fever vs (E3) Washington Mystics- Two sub-500 ball clubs in the mediocre Eastern Conference take on each other for the right to play in the Eastern Conference Finals. The most intriguing part of this matchup is the two star veterans in Indiana's Tamika Catchings and Washington's Kara Lawson. Both of these teams were mediocre for most of the season, but I like Indiana a little bit better than Washington in this particular matchup. Fever in 2.

Western Conference

(W1) Phoenix Mercury vs (W4) Los Angeles Sparks- The WNBA-best Phoenix Mercury will take on an underachieving Los Angeles Sparks team (from a record standpoint). This is the most intriguing matchup of the four conference semi-final match ups because of the star power on these respective squads. With guard Diana Taurasi and center Brittney Griner in Phoenix and forwards Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike in Los Angeles, this will be a fun matchup to watch. I like Phoenix in this match up because Taurasi will put this team on her back to lead the way. Mercury in 3.

(W2) Minnesota Lynx vs (W3) San Antonio Stars- The defending champion Minnesota Lynx will take on the San Antonio Stars, who missed the playoffs a year ago. Minnesota has arguably the best player in the league in forward Maya Moore and San Antonio has one of the leagues best rookies in winger Kayla McBride. I believe Moore will carry Minnesota to the conference finals while Stars guard Becky Hammon will play her final WNBA games before joining Gregg Popovich to work on his coaching staff with the Spurs. Lynx in 2.