2016 wnba thread news notes picks !

[StarDust Bum]

7/10 - Sunday's Results: 3 - 7

July's Total: 21 - 27 43.75 %

Overall : WLT PCT UNITS RANK

ATS Picks 50-53-3 48.54% -4150

O/U Picks 54-52-0 50.94% -1600

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

-- Jordan Spieth dropped out of Olympics; world's top four golfers are now out.

-- Wonder what %age of NBA players watch summmer league games on TV?

-- New Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson is coaching the Nets' summer games to get used to running an NBA game-- he's never been an NBA head coach before.

-- Still amazing to me that Butler played for national title in college hoop two years in a row, when they were in the Horizon League. Underrated feat.

-- SEC commish said Monday that last August was first time since 1984 that no SEC football teams were on probation.

-- Atlanta Braves were 9-29 when they changed managers; they're 13-12 in their last 25 games and playing a lot better. They hit 13 HRs in their first 38 games, have hit 42 HRs in their last 51.

**********

Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but........

13) Congrats to Tim Duncan, retiring with five championships in his 19 years, but more than being a great player, Duncan is a terrific guy who was universally lauded as a great teammate. It is good to know that being a great teammate is being honored.

12) In his career, counting playoff games, Duncan's total plus/minus was exactly +10,000; next best during that time is Dirk Nowitzki, at +6,725.

That means while Duncan was on the court, the Spurs outscored their opponents by 10,000 points, a staggering figure.

Enjoy your retirement, sir.

11) They used the Padres' old brown/gold color scheme for All-Star uniforms, but San Diego's uniforms now are blue and white. Like the brown/gold that Dave Winfield and Nate Colbert wore much, much better- they should switch back.

10) Daniel Murphy is hitting 22-52 (.423) against his old team the Mets this season, with seven HRs, 21 RBI.

9) UFC sold for $4B over the weekend, which is a lot of money. I've never watched it, but what do you do with $4B? The guys who used to own UFC, their kids went to Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas- the weight room in that school is better than most D-I football teams' weight room- the UFC guys paid for it.

8) I just don't like watching people fight; I'll turn a hockey game off if a fight starts, but apparently, if UFC sold for $4B, lot of people like watching fights.

7) They just said on TV that Wil Myers hit a baseball off a tee, over the CF fence in San Diego- his coaches had bet him he couldn't do it.

6) Tony Padilla threw to Adam Duvall in HR Derby last night; he is also a college hoop ref who worked the Oklahoma-Villanova national semifinal game last April- his regular job is as a bail bondsman.

5) College basketball knowledge: Since 1987, the defending champ is 10-14 vs spread in its first NCAA tournament game the next season.

4) Since 2001, when the defending champ makes the Sweet 16, they're 1-7 SU, 0-8 against the spread in their Sweet 16 game. Only winner was Florida in 2008.

3) I'm tired of TV guys pumping up how much potential Joel Embiid has; he played one year (2013-14) at Kansas, scoring 11.2 ppg in 23.1 mpg. He then left for the NBA Draft, the 76ers took him and he's played in as many NBA games as I have-- zero.

Good teams draft productive players- they don't speculate on potential. Maybe some day the light bulb will come on over Embiid's head and he'll be a good player, but if he hasn't played in one game in two years, how likely is that to happen?

2) How hard is it to make an NBA roster? As I type this, Jimmer Fredette is on TV, playing for Denver's summer league team, trying to get back in the league. He is an elite shooter, which you would think makes him marketable, but Jimmer couldn't guard the chair I'm sitting on, so he has become a journeyman.

But he has an elite NBA skill and still struggles to make a roster. Lot of these kids who leave college early for the NBA- what elite skill do they have, other than potential?

1) Imagine my delight when I saw the Rams would be featured in not one, but two reality shows this summer/fall. No bueno.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, July 12

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (16 - 4) at SAN ANTONIO (5 - 15) - 7/12/2016, 12:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) in home games on Tuesday since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 7-4 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 11-1 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




WNBA

Tuesday, July 12

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. SAN ANTONIO
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Minnesota is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 7 games
San Antonio is 4-10-1 ATS in its last 15 games at home

----------------------------

WNBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, July 12


Minnesota @ San Antonio

Game 601-602
July 12, 2016 @ 12:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
120.827
San Antonio
101.212
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 19 1/2
158
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 12 1/2
152
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-12 1/2); Over

[StarDust Bum]

Cops walk off WNBA game over Black Lives Matter jerseys
July 12, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A police union official says four off-duty Minneapolis officers working a WNBA game walked off the job at the city's Target Center arena Saturday after Minnesota Lynx players wore pregame warm-up jerseys supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

The shirts listed the names of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, both fatally shot by police officers last week. Castile was killed by a police officer in suburban St. Paul during a traffic stop. The shirt also showed the Dallas police shield above the phrase ''Black Lives Matter.''

Minneapolis Police Federation President Bob Kroll tells the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (http://strib.mn/29zD4qo ) he commends the officers. He says they took their names off a list of officers to work future games.

The newspaper says Minneapolis police, the Lynx and the Target Center haven't commented.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Lynx (16-4) at Stars (5-15)
Date: July 12, 2016 12:30 PM EDT

The Minnesota Lynx are on the prowl for a completion of a Texas two-step when they head to San Antonio on Tuesday for a road matchup with the struggling and shorthanded Stars.

On paper, the game looks like a severe mismatch. After all the Lynx (16-4) are the defending WNBA champions and one of the league's best teams this season while San Antonio (5-15) is languishing in last place in the Western Conference.

The Lynx have stumbled over their past 10 games, going 6-4 in that stretch after starting the season with 10 consecutive victories. Included in the recent swoon was Thursday's 93-89 overtime loss to Connecticut, which (like San Antonio) has just five wins in 2016.

Minnesota showed a return to dominance Sunday with 37-point victory against Dallas in which it outscored the Wings 40-4 in a stretch from mid-first quarter to mid-second.

"The mission (against Dallas) was not just to be good, or good enough, but to be great," Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. "We took that message and applied it in just about every facet of the game."

Lindsay Whalen scored a season-high 22 points in the win, which saw five Minnesota players in double-figure scoring and the Lynx outrebounding Dallas 51-25.

On Thursday in the loss to the Sun, Whalen became the first player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 points, 2,000 assists and 1,500 rebounds.

"I guess it means that I've been playing a long time," Whalen said. "It's pretty cool."

San Antonio has lost its past two outings, including a 10-point road defeat at the hands of the New York Liberty on Sunday. Monique Currie led the Stars in New York with 17 points, while Sydney Colson scored a career-high 12. San Antonio has lost eight of its past 11 games.

The Stars will be playing their fourth straight game without the services of leading scorer Kayla McBride, who broke her right foot last week and is out for the season.

The Lynx handed San Antonio a 91-68 defeat on July 2 in Minneapolis in the two team's first matchup.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 2, 2016 Score ATS Results
SA 68 Over: 159
MIN « 91 Cover: 5.5
Tools: Recaps

Aug 21, 2015 Score ATS Results
MIN « 78 Cover: 9
SA 61 Under: 139
Tools:

Aug 11, 2015 Score ATS Results
SA 76 Cover: 6.5
MIN « 83 Over: 159
Tools: Recaps

Jul 12, 2015 Score ATS Results
SA 49 Under: 115
MIN « 66 Cover: 1.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 19, 2015 Score ATS Results
MIN « 74 Cover: 7.5
SA 59 Under: 133
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

TUESDAY, JULY 12

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIN at SA 12:30 PM

SA +14.0

O 155.0

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

-- All nine starters for AL's All-Star team are age 27 or younger.

-- Arizona Cardinals are -4.5 over the Patriots in Week 1; a handicapping quandary, since Jimmy Garoppolo will be New England's quarterback.

-- Wil Myers' brother drilled him in the ribs with a pitch at the Home Run Derby.

-- Minnesota Timberwolves haven't made NBA playoffs since 2004.

-- NFL teams who travelled three time zones LY were 17-14-1 vs spread; 9-6-1 going from west to east, 8-8 going from east to west. .

-- Someone has to explain to me what this Pokeman stuff is. No freakin' idea.

**********

Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Happy Hump Day.......

13) Baseball commish Rob Manfred came out and said that expansion is on hold until A's, Rays get new stadiums.

Translation: We're using potential expansion cities to hold over the heads of people in Oakland, Tampa to extort $$$ for new stadiums out of them. Good luck there, since the A's and Rays both suck this year. The Montreal Rays? Could be.

12) TV people raved about the timing aspect of Home Run Derby, but ratings were down for it this year. Not sure why. Wonder if they asked David Ortiz to participate this year, his last in big leagues. Still think Ichiro should be in HR Derby once.

11) I would be OK with it if they let players use aluminum bats in the HR Derby.

10) Then there is Chris Berman, whose annoying, self-promoting act is really old. Few years ago, I'm sitting at the bar in the sportsbook at Planet Hollywood in Vegas, playing video poker and just relaxing. Except they had the HR Derby's volume up on TV's, so even though Cespedes is winning and he's on the A's, it is annoying as hell to listen to "back!! back!!! back!!!" 120 times in a row.

So I leave the bar and go out in the casino so I can't hear the damn TVs and I win $300 playing blackjack, so it was a good thing that night that Berman is so annoying.

9) East Meadow HS on Long Island this year, nine sets of twins graduated, which is a lot of kids who look alike.

8) Last five NBA MVPs who went to college went to: Davidson, Texas, Santa Clara, Memphis and Wake Forest. Really good players are everywhere, not just on TV.

7) Nets signed Tyler Johnson, Allen Crabbe to offer sheets, but both were matched by Miami, Portland. Brooklyn needs some players-- their new GM is Sean Marks, who comes from the Spurs' basketball tree-- thats the best part of the Spurs, Warriors being real good teams- their style will be imitated throughout the NBA.

Cleveland's style can't be imitated; there is only one Lebron James. .

6) Last time I went to NBA Summer League, I'm sitting behind this guy who looks like a damn bodybuilder-- huge guy and he is drinking- he bet on the game being played and he bet on the team that was losing. Badly. He was not happy about it.

It was a Minnesota-Cleveland game, that I remember and Minnesota had 18 guys on its roster. Problem for the guy betting was this: the nine guys who won for Minnesota the day before weren't playing in this game- the other half of the roster was getting its butt kicked. Moral of the story: Please do not bet on summer exhibition games.

5) Got to see the Hard Knocks with the Jets for the first time this week-- much more interesting than in recent years, where the coaches have been little more bland. If some network put Mike Westhoff in its studio, it would be TV gold.

4) Brian Schottenheimer was OC for the Jets back then; he later moved to St Louis, where he was saddled with Sam Bradford's injuries and cruddy backups, then he was at Georgia last year, when Mark Richt got fired despite consecutive 10-3 seasons. Now his career has taken him to Indisanapolis, where he will be the Colts' QB coach.

3) When Michael Douglas was in high school, he was accepted to go to college at Yale but went to Cal-Santa Barbara instead, since he wanted to be an actor like his father Kirk, who was also a great actor. Staying close to Hollywood was an excellent idea.

If you've ever been on UCSB's campus you know it is so scenic-- half the cars in the freakin' parking lot had surfboards on them. Santa Barbara or Connecticut? That one is an easy call, especially from November-March.

2) NFL Films does a half-hour lighlight film on every team; wonder if they draw straws to see who does the highlight films for the bad teams?

Rams haven't had a winning season since 2003, not lot of highlights there. Losing isn't something you want to reminisce about. Guess they just focus on their infrequent wins and whatever players had good seasons, but it can't be easy work.

1) Kerwin Danley umped first base at the All-Star Game last night; he played college ball at San Diego State with the late Tony Gwynn.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, July 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ATLANTA (11 - 9) at NEW YORK (15 - 6) - 7/13/2016, 11:00 AM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 35-24 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) in road games revenging a home loss versus opponent since 1997.
ATLANTA is 91-65 ATS (+19.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.
NEW YORK is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in home games this season.
NEW YORK is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
NEW YORK is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in home games in May, June, or July games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 7-4 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 8-3 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONNECTICUT (5 - 14) at INDIANA (9 - 11) - 7/13/2016, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 123-89 ATS (+25.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 6-3 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 7-2 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOS ANGELES (18 - 1) at CHICAGO (8 - 11) - 7/13/2016, 12:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 85-114 ATS (-40.4 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 160-202 ATS (-62.2 Units) after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 11-25 ATS (-16.5 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 11-25 ATS (-16.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 5-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 5-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (9 - 11) at PHOENIX (8 - 13) - 7/13/2016, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 289-343 ATS (-88.3 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 54-78 ATS (-31.8 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 22-35 ATS (-16.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home games in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 23-40 ATS (-21.0 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-1 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 5-1 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




WNBA

Wednesday, July 13

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11:00 AM
ATLANTA vs. NEW YORK
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games on the road
Atlanta is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
New York is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
New York is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

12:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. INDIANA
Connecticut is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Connecticut's last 14 games on the road
Indiana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Connecticut
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games when playing at home against Connecticut

12:30 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Chicago is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games

3:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone OVER in 18 of Washington's last 23 games
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Phoenix's last 15 games at home
Phoenix is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home

------------------------


WNBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, July 13


Atlanta @ New York

Game 651-652
July 13, 2016 @ 11:00 am

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
112.827
New York
116.395
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 3 1/2
166
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 6
157
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+6); Over

Connecticut @ Indiana

Game 653-654
July 13, 2016 @ 12:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Connecticut
106.292
Indiana
111.857
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 5 1/2
158
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 8
164
Dunkel Pick:
Connecticut
(+8); Under

Los Angeles @ Chicago

Game 655-656
July 13, 2016 @ 12:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
119.105
Chicago
112.077
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 7
171
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
by 4
166
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(-4); Over

Washington @ Phoenix

Game 657-658
July 13, 2016 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
109.722
Phoenix
117.308
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 6 1/2
162
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 4 1/2
170
Dunkel Pick:
Phoenix
(-4 1/2); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sparks (18-1) at Sky (8-11)
Date: July 13, 2016 12:30 PM EDT

The struggling Chicago Sky host the WNBA's hottest team in a Wednesday matinee at Allstate Arena.

The Los Angeles Sparks (18-1) carry a seven-game winning streak into the clash and need just two victories to match the now-defunct Houston Comets' record 20-1 start in 1998.

Chicago (8-11) has dropped four of its last six games while searching for a winning combination. The Sky are fifth in the WNBA Eastern Conference after employing their fifth different starting lineup of the season in last Sunday's 100-95 victory over Phoenix.

Nneka Ogwumike tops the Western Conference-leading Sparks with a 19.1 scoring average and 8.4 rebound average and leads the WNBA with a .701 shooting percentage. Chicago-area native Candace Parker is next, scoring at an average of 16.9 points

Chicago's Elena Delle Donne is second in WNBA scoring, averaging 20.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. She collected a season-high 38-points in an 87-82 loss to Minnesota on July 5 in Minnesota.

Guard Allie Quigley, usually first off the bench, had 29 and 21 points in Chicago's last two games.

Delle Donne will travel to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics later this month as a member of the U.S. women's national team.

The Sparks beat the Sky 98-85 on June 14 in Los Angeles as Ogwumike topped all scorers with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

Parker has dominated previous meetings as Los Angeles has taken five straight and six of eight from Chicago over the past three seasons. She has averaged 22 points and 7.2 rebounds in those games.

WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 14, 2016 Score ATS Results
CHI 85 Over: 183
LOS « 98 Cover: 5
Tools: Recaps

May 24, 2016 Score ATS Results
LOS « 93 Cover: 10
CHI 80 Over: 173
Tools: Recaps

Aug 16, 2015 Score ATS Results
CHI 64 Under: 140
LOS « 76 Cover: 8
Tools:

Jul 31, 2015 Score ATS Results
LOS « 88 Cover: 16.5
CHI 77 Over: 165
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mystics (9-11) at Mercury (8-13)
Date: July 13, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

The Phoenix Mercury wouldn't mind playing Washington Mystics more frequently.

The Mercury are 9-2 in the last 11 meetings with the Mystics heading into Wednesday's game at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.

Phoenix is also 7-4 so far this season against all East teams -- compared to 1-9 against their home West -- and own a 2-0 mark against Washington.

But the Mercury (8-13) have hit a rough patch with three straight losses, the most since opening the season with a four-game losing streak and six losses in their first eight.

The Mystics (9-10) had won five of six heading into their current five-game road trip and then dropped three straight away from home.

Guard Tayler Hill leads Washington with a 15.3-point average while center Emma Meesseman is right behind at 15.1 and a team-best 5.7 rebounds. Meesseman had a career-high-tying 24 points in last Sunday's 93-82 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.

Mercury veteran Diana Taurasi is sixth in league scoring with a 19.2-point average and eighth in assists (4.1). Teammate Brittney Griner tops the team with a 6.2 rebound per game average.

Taurasi seeks her fourth gold medal as she joins Team USA next month for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Griner is also on the team, making her first Olympics appearance.

Washington wraps up the road trip on Friday at Seattle before heading home for a July 20 game against New York. Phoenix is at San Antonio on Saturday.

WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 24, 2016 Score ATS Results
PHO « 91 Cover: 14.5
WAS 79 Over: 170
Tools: Recaps

May 29, 2016 Score ATS Results
WAS 77 Over: 170
PHO « 93 Cover: 8
Tools: Recaps

Sep 2, 2015 Score ATS Results
WAS 53 Under: 126
PHO « 73 Cover: 16
Tools: Recaps

Aug 28, 2015 Score ATS Results
PHO 63 Under: 134
WAS « 71 Cover: 3.5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

New York Liberty 15 6 0.714 0 6-4 9-2 7-1 8-2 W-3

Atlanta Dream 11 9 0.550 3 6-4 5-5 7-4 4-6 W-3

Washington Mystics 9 11 0.450 5 4-6 5-5 5-4 5-5 L-3

Indiana Fever 9 11 0.450 5 3-5 6-6 3-5 5-5 W-2

Chicago Sky 8 11 0.421 6 5-4 3-7 5-5 3-7 W-1

Connecticut Sun 5 14 0.263 9 3-7 2-7 0-8 3-7 L-1



WESTERN CONFERENCE

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

Los Angeles Sparks 18 1 0.947 0 11-1 7-0 7-1 9-1 W-7

Minnesota Lynx 17 4 0.810 2 8-2 9-2 10-1 6-4 W-2

Dallas Wings 9 12 0.429 10 5-6 4-6 7-4 5-5 L-2

Phoenix Mercury 8 13 0.381 11 5-5 3-8 1-9 4-6 L-3

Seattle Storm 7 13 0.350 11 4-6 3-7 3-6 3-7 L-1

San Antonio Stars 5 16 0.238 14 4-7 1-9 1-8 3-7 L-3


Updated Wed Jul 13 12:07 PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

7/12 - Tuesday's Results: 0 - 2

July's Total: 21 - 29 42.00 % %

Overall : WLT PCT UNITS RANK

ATS Picks 50-54-3 48.08% -4700

O/U Picks 54-53-0 50.47% -2150


WEDNESDAY, JULY 13

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

WAS at PHO 03:30 PM

PHO -5.0

O 169.0

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

-- If you do nothing else today, go to ESPN.com and listen to Craig Sager's speech at the ESPYs. Courageous and inspirational; Sager is one tough dude.

-- If you ever see film of Hank Aaron's 715th homer, in 1974, the guy standing at home plate with a microphone is a much younger Craig Sager.

-- Red Sox landed P Drew Pomeranz from San Diego for Anderson Espinoza, who is having an average year in Class A Ball but is a highly touted prospect and only 18.

-- Chris Spielman moves from ESPN to FOX, will work with Dick Stockton on NFL games this fall. Spielman is really good; FOX makes good move.

-- According to Chris Fallica of ESPN, since WWII, five players have had 3+ shot lead after first round of British Open. Phil Mickelson is the 6th. None of the five won tourney or shot second round in 60s.

-- NBA Summer League makes this week tolerable, with no baseballl until today.

**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Things I'm looking for in rest of baseball season

13) First things will be the trading that happens between now and the August 1 trade deadline. Who buys? Who sells? With two Wild Cards in each league now, teams are more reluctant to throw in the towel on a season.

12) After the dust has cleared from whatever trades happen, what minor leaguers will get the call to the majors, as struggling teams look to the future?

11) Cubs are 6-15 in their last 21 games; was it just a slump or are wheels coming off? Can they hold off the Pirates and Cardinals?

10) Would the Angels consider trading Mike Trout? Their farm system isn't very good, so the only way to replensih their talent level could be to deal their best plsyer. Angels are woefully short on pitching.

9) Kershaw/Greinke both make roughly $1M per start, if they made all their starts this year, but they're both on the DL now; Dodgers are going to need Kershaw back in the rotation if they're going to make the playoffs.

8) Arizona's season is a debacle, an expensive debacle. They've already sold Ziegler to the Red Sox, will they make more deals? D'backs need to decide on which position guys they want to stick with, then deal for a pitcher or three.

7) Will the defending champ Royals make a run at first-place Cleveland, or will 2016 continue to be a magical year on Lake Erie?

6) Can the Orioles sustain their first-half success despite its substandard rotation? Baltimore is in bottom five in both IP, ERA for its starting pitchers.

5) Will Bronx Bombers sell their quality relievers or will they hang in there and try to get back in the Wild Card race? If I was a season ticket holder and they sold assets to slash their payroll, I'd ask for a damn refund- their tickets are exorbitant.

4) When I was 14, I met Dusty Baker when he was playing for the Braves, he was so nice to me for no reason, so I always, always root for him (except against the A's). It will make me smile if the Nationals make the playoffs.

3) What about the Mets' pitchers? Can they get healthy? Their healthiest pitcher is a 43-year old fat guy. Go figure.

2) Can Giancarlo Stanton build on his HR Derby showing to have a solid second half and lead the Marlins into the playoffs?

1) Houston Astros got hot before the break, while Texas stumbled; Rangers are said to be looking to make a lot of deals to strengthen their team. Astros have young Bregman to bring up from the minors and bolster their infield. Should be interesting.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Capsules
July 13, 2016

PHOENIX (AP) Brittney Griner had 22 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, Sonja Petrovic made a go-ahead basket with 29.9 seconds left and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Washington Mystics 78-74 on Wednesday.

After Petrovic's floater in the lane, Emma Meesseman missed a left-handed hook shot and Griner made two free throws. Washington's Tayler Hill had an open 3-pointer rattle out with 7 seconds left.

Diana Taurasi added 18 points on 4-of-18 shooting for Phoenix (9-13), ninth in the AP power poll. Meesseman scored 22 points and Hill added 15 points for eighth-ranked Washington (9-12).

SPARKS 77, SKY 67

ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) - Nneka Ogwumike had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Candace Parker added 11 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, and Los Angeles beat Chicago.

Ogwumike was 10 of 11 from the field for her fifth consecutive game with at least 20 points. Kristi Toliver had 13 points, Jantel Lavender added 12 points and Essence Carson scored 10 for Los Angeles (19-1), the top-ranked team in the AP power poll. The Sparks had 28 assists on 33 field goals.

Elena Delle Donne scored 15 points and Quigley added 13 for sixth-ranked Chicago (8-12).

SUN 86, FEVER 64

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Chiney Ogwumike had 20 points and eight rebounds, Alyssa Thomas added 14 points, and Connecticut beat Indiana.

Shekinna Stricklen made three 3-pointers and scored 11 points for Connecticut (6-14), ranked 11th in the AP power poll.

Lynetta Kizer made 9 of 11 shots and scored 18 points for fifth-ranked Indiana (9-12).

LIBERTY 86, DREAM 62

NEW YORK (AP) - Tina Charles had 18 points and nine rebounds to help New York beat Atlanta for its fourth straight victory.

Sugar Rodgers added 13 points and Rebecca Allen scored a career-high 11 points for New York (16-6), which is ranked No. 3 in the AP power poll.

Tiffany Hayes scored 12 points and Bria Holmes added 11 points for fourth-ranked Atlanta (11-10).

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA

Friday, July 15

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. INDIANA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games when playing Indiana
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
Indiana is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta

7:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. CONNECTICUT
Los Angeles is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games when playing Connecticut
Connecticut is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
Connecticut is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games at home

8:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
New York is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New York
Minnesota is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home

8:30 PM
DALLAS vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Dallas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas

10:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. SEATTLE
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Washington's last 15 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Seattle is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Seattle's last 20 games when playing Washington


---------------------

WNBA
Dunkel

Friday, July 15


Los Angeles @ Connecticut

Game 601-602
July 15, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
119.102
Connecticut
114.580
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 4 1/2
156
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
by 10 1/2
161
Dunkel Pick:
Connecticut
(+10 1/2); Under

Atlanta @ Indiana

Game 603-604
July 15, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
105.572
Indiana
112.680
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 7
155
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 3 1/2
160
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(-3 1/2); Under

New York @ Minnesota

Game 605-606
July 15, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
111.587
Minnesota
122.779
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 11
164
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 8
156 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-8); Over

Dallas @ Chicago

Game 607-608
July 15, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
105.130
Chicago
108.662
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 3 1/2
177
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 5 1/2
170
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(+5 1/2); Over

Washington @ Seattle

Game 609-610
July 15, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
109.522
Seattle
106.109
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 3 1/2
154
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
159
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-1 1/2); Under