San Francisco Shock vs Houston Outlaws

What a strange match-up, one that, for all intents and purposes, was never supposed to happen. The fact that the San Francisco Shock -- one of the biggest tournament favorites and a team that hasn't even dropped a game throughout the first five weeks -- is now fighting for its "life" in the lower half of the bracket simply boggles the mind.

They're still an incredibly capable team, but they haven't been able to "get online" in front of a live audience -- for whatever reason. They always double down on their strengths when it's all too late. And so, one cannot help but wonder: will that happen tonight as well? Will the Outlaws be able to compete on even footing and pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season thus far? We doubt it, but such an outcome would by no means surprise us given the direction in which things have been unraveling in.

The Outlaws are a very capable (if inherently flawed) bunch, and with them having nothing else to lose, it's safe to assume that they'll come out the gates swinging and play their hearts out. The Shock, on the other hand, will have to compete under the utmost amount of pressure, what with them being such big tournament favorites and all. And that, for a team that is seemingly struggling to deliver in high pressure situations, is about as challenging a context as it gets.

Be that as it may, we still trust in their ability to correct course and leave some kind of a mark. We no longer think they'll go the distance and win the whole thing, but beating Houston shouldn't be too big of an issue.