Nolan, Detroit chill Fever in Game 1 • DETROIT 81, INDIANA 72: Deanna Nolan scored 22 points to lead the Shock to victory over the Fever on Friday night in Indianapolis in the opener of the WNBA Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Taj McWilliams-Franklin added 17 points and seven rebounds, and Plenette Pierson had 11 points for the Shock. The Shock swept Indiana in three regular-season games and has won five in a row over the Fever, including the last two games of the 2007 conference finals. Tamika Catchings posted 19 points and seven assists and Ebony Hoffman scored 19 points. The Shock took its biggest lead, 68-52, on Katie Smith's two free throws with 7:42 left in the fourth quarter.
• LOS ANGELES 77, SEATTLE 69: Sue Bird had 23 points for the Storm, but it wasn't enough against a Sparks team with five scorers in double digits, including 11 from Marie Ferdinand-Harris off the bench. Candace Parker had 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to help the Sparks overcome late turnovers to win their conference semifinal opener.
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