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Defense will determine an Eastern Conference finals rematch from last season.

Tamika Catchings, who had to be carried off the court Sunday with an injury to her right foot, didn't start Game 3 Tuesday, but she subbed in with six minutes to play in the first quarter.

Role players have stepped up in both games so far in the East finals. If Tamika Catchings can't play Tuesday, Indiana must again find someone to help Katie Douglas.

With a Finals berth on the line and their starting center away, the Dream turn to Iziane Castro Marques.

Iziane Castro Marques scored 30 points Sunday to help Atlanta even the East finals with Indiana, which lost Tamika Catchings in the second half to what appears to be a foot injury.

No matter where the blame rests for Atlanta's star playing just 17½ minutes in Game 1, the Dream and Angel McCoughtry must deliver a big game Sunday to stay alive in the East finals.

While Atlanta focused on Indiana's stars and watched its own standout struggle with foul trouble, Tangela Smith stepped up for her best game of the season to lead the Fever to a Game 1 win.

Atlanta has won nine of its last 10 and defeated Indiana in all four of their regular-season matchups, but the Fever keep finding a way.

Armintie Price is one of many players to watch in the East finals.

Seattle was the most dominant team in the league this season. Now, Atlanta, perhaps the WNBA's most athletic squad, stands in the way of the Storm's second championship.

Angel McCoughtry scored 13 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Atlanta Dream to an 81-75 victory over the New York Liberty in the opener of the Eastern Conference finals Sunday night.

Can Cappie Pondexter get enough help from her Liberty teammates to counter Atlanta's strength and depth inside?

Atlanta broke open a close game by scoring 26 consecutive points and the Dream beat the Washington Mystics 101-77 on Friday night to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

Deanna Nolan scored 22 points and Shavonte Zellous added 21 to help the Detroit Shock advance to the WNBA's Eastern Conference finals with a 94-79 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Friday night.

Atlanta and Minnesota made the WNBA Finals last season but face tough Game 3 tests Tuesday just to reach this year's conference finals.