The New York Liberty vs. the Miami Sol is going to be a great defensive series. The Sol is second only to Cleveland as the best defensive team I've seen this year.

With these two teams, don't expect a high scoring game with quality shots. This game will be decided by who can hit their shots, who protects the ball, and who doesn't turn it over. It will be won on the boards. In the playoffs, you have to be able to execute on a half-court, and both the Liberty and Sol are excellent half-court teams.

This has really been a breakout season for the Sol. With the return of Elena Baranova from last season's knee injury and Sandy Brondello, they've got nice inside-outside play. Baranova is an All-Star, and nobody is better at getting her shot off in traffic at key moments than Brondello. Both players quickly became catalysts in this year's success.

On offense, the Sol is a very balanced team in terms of scoring. It's amazing what Sheri Sam has done to lift this team. Currently leading in scoring with almost 14 points per game, Sam has conformed her body and her game and she's just playing awesome.

Averaging almost seven points per game, Ruth Riley has also come along nicely this season. Debbie Black, an unbelievable defender who can change the whole tempo of what you're trying to do offensively, is the heart and soul of the team.

The Sol also has depth with Kristen Rasmussen and Marlies Askamp who average about 15 minutes per game. And with Kisha Ford, they are a seven or eight deep.

Despite struggling a bit after the All-Star break, the New York Liberty is still a team to be reckoned with. Teresa Weatherspoon and Tari Phillips are playing great.

From a coaching perspective, Richie Adubato and Ron Rothstein are two coaches who, going back to the NBA, have seen a lot of each other a lot in their careers and they know each other's styles.

The Sol have played very well against the Liberty -- they lead the regular season series 2-1 -- expect their confidence level to be high. But with the exception of Brodello and Askamp, this will be the first playoff action for the Sol.

New York has been to three of the four finals in this league and experience means something in the playoffs. Plus, it's very difficult to win on the road at Madison Square Garden. Experience and home court advantage give the Liberty a very slight edge.

ESPN analyst and Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman-Cline is a former WNBA coach and player.