The Bum's 2017 WNBA Picks-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

Mike Thibault to miss Mystics game for father's funeral
June 20, 2017

Washington Mystics head coach Mike Thibault and assistant Eric Thibault will miss the team's game at the Minnesota Lynx on Friday to attend the funeral for their father and grandfather, Frank Thibault.

Frank Thibault passed away on June 16, the Mystics coach said.

''The funeral's in California on Saturday,'' Mike Thibault told The Associated Press in a phone interview on Tuesday. ''He was 92 years old and had a great life. I've been back and forth a few times and took a couple days away.''

The Mystics coach wasn't sure if he and his son would be back for Sunday's game in Chicago.

''We'll see how it all pans out,'' he said.

Assistant coach Marianne Staley will coach the game against Minnesota.

The Mystics are 7-4 with one of those losses coming at home to the Lynx. Star forward Elena Delle Donne didn't play in that game because of an injury. She'll play on Friday.

So much was expected of the Mystics this season with the addition of Delle Donne and Kristi Toliver. They are still a work in progress.

''We can contend now, but we don't have the experience of that many good veteran players that Minnesota and LA have right now,'' Thibault said. ''Teams like us and New York and Seattle are trying to take the next step. Until Minnesota and LA show a few cracks, we'll have to work our butt off to get to that level.''

The Mystics were in a light part of their schedule with only two games over a span of 12 days that has let some of the injured players heal.

''Most of our time practice got wasted having three people hurt. Elena, Ivory (Latta), Tierra Ruffin-Pratt all were hurt and we were practicing with eight players. The break came at a good time for us.''

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, June 23

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CHICAGO (2 - 9) at ATLANTA (5 - 5) - 6/23/2017, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-4 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 6-4 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CONNECTICUT (5 - 5) at NEW YORK (7 - 4) - 6/23/2017, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in June games over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in all games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
CONNECTICUT is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in June games over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
CONNECTICUT is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 21-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 5-3 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 7-1 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WASHINGTON (7 - 4) at MINNESOTA (9 - 1) - 6/23/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 299-356 ATS (-92.6 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 58-82 ATS (-32.2 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 2 seasons.

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

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DALLAS (5 - 8) at SAN ANTONIO (0 - 11) - 6/23/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 16-26 ATS (-12.6 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 40-65 ATS (-31.5 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 4-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 7-1 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PHOENIX (6 - 5) at SEATTLE (6 - 5) - 6/23/2017, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 35-51 ATS (-21.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 118-80 ATS (+30.0 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1997.
SEATTLE is 114-85 ATS (+20.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 4-3 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 5-2 straight up against SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Friday, June 23

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Trend Report
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7:30 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. NEW YORK
Connecticut is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Connecticut's last 21 games when playing New York
New York is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 6 games at home

7:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. ATLANTA
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Atlanta's last 21 games at home
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

8:00 PM
DALLAS vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Dallas's last 8 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Dallas's last 20 games
San Antonio is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
San Antonio is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Dallas

8:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games when playing Minnesota
Washington is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Minnesota is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Washington

10:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. SEATTLE
Phoenix is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Phoenix is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Seattle is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Friday, June 23


Phoenix @ Seattle

Game 611-612
June 23, 2017 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Phoenix
106.284
Seattle
114.464
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 8
162
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
by 3 1/2
160 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(-3 1/2); Over

Dallas @ San Antonio

Game 609-610
June 23, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
105.755
San Antonio
106.371
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 1
173
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
by 2 1/2
164
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(+2 1/2); Over

Washington @ Minnesota

Game 607-608
June 23, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
114.963
Minnesota
118.803
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 4
158
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 8 1/2
163 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+8 1/2); Under

Connecticut @ New York

Game 605-606
June 23, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Connecticut
112.189
New York
119.537
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 7 1/2
172
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 3
163 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(-3); Over

Chicago @ Atlanta

Game 603-604
June 23, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
104.224
Atlanta
108.202
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 4
158
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
by 6 1/2
164
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+6 1/2); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sky (2-9) at Dream (5-5)
Date: June 23, 2017 7:30 PM EDT

After a difficult five-game, 11-day road trip, the Atlanta Dream return home to take on the struggling Chicago Sky on Friday at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta.

The Dream (5-5) were near the top of the Eastern Conference when they embarked on their trip. They dropped four of five on the road, though, and now sit in eighth place in the league standings.

The Sky (2-9) traded away superstar Elena Delle Donne in the offseason and have not been able to find any consistency through the first two months of the season.

One of Chicago's two wins, however, did come at Atlanta, where the teams split back-to-back games in the first week of the season. Each team won on the other's home court.

Chicago's Stefanie Dolson has averaged 15.5 points and shot 68 percent from the field in the two games against Atlanta this season, including a career-high 23 points in Chicago's 75-71 road win on May 21.

Like the Sky, the Dream also saw their best player depart in the offseason. Longtime Atlanta star Angel McCoughtry announced this winter that she would sit out an unspecified portion of the season.

Tiffany Hayes has stepped up in McCoughtry's absence and is leading the Dream in scoring, averaging 17.6 points per game. Hayes had 23 points in Atlanta's 91-82 win at Chicago on May 19.

"This young lady's an All-Star," Dream coach Michael Cooper said in reference to Hayes, who is eighth in the WNBA in scoring and one of four Atlanta players averaging in double figures.

Veteran Layshia Clarendon is averaging 10.4 points and is third in the league in assists, averaging 6.2 per game.

The Sky are coming off a disappointing 91-79 home loss to the Indiana Fever on Sunday. Chicago led by 10 at halftime but fell apart in the second half. The Sky committed 18 turnovers in the loss and only forced four Indiana turnovers.

Sky first-year coach Amber Stocks believes that despite her team's record they are in position and have laid the groundwork to get the season turned around at any moment.

"I think there's a special moment where the process stays the same, but the fruit of the hard work that these guys are doing every day shows," Stocks said after the Indiana loss. "The seeds are planted. The tree is growing. It's just a matter of time before the fruit is visibly manifested."

WNB HEAD TO HEAD

May 21, 2017 Score ATS Results
CHI « 75 Cover: 10.5
ATL 71 Under: 146
Tools: Recaps

May 19, 2017 Score ATS Results
ATL « 91 Cover: 6.5
CHI 83 Over: 174
Tools: Recaps

Sep 25, 2016 Score ATS Results
ATL 98 Over: 206
CHI « 108 Cover: 8.5
Tools: Recaps

Aug 26, 2016 Score ATS Results
ATL 82 Over: 172
CHI « 90 Cover: 3
Tools: Recaps

Jun 17, 2016 Score ATS Results
CHI 97 Over: 198
ATL « 101 Cover: 8.5
Tools: Recaps

May 22, 2016 Score ATS Results
CHI 81 Under: 168
ATL « 87 Cover: 10.5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sun (5-5) at Liberty (7-4)
Date: June 23, 2017 7:30 PM EDT

Connecticut has had almost a full week to savor a coming-of-age victory after handing the previously undefeated Minnesota Lynx their first loss of the season.

After four straight losing seasons and having started this year with four straight losses, the Sun seemed like the same old team.

But now Connecticut has risen to 5-5 after beating Minnesota 98-93 on June 17. The Sun have won four straight but understand they can't rest on their laurels because if they do that winning streak will come crashing down when they visit the New York Liberty (7-4) on Friday.

"I'm really proud of them," second-year Connecticut coach Curt Miller told reporters after the win against Minnesota. "It's a great team win. We had six players in double figures. I'm really proud of the way the team battled and hung on at the end."

Miller has Connecticut's offense humming. The Sun are third in the league in scoring (85.5 ppg), third in rebounds (36.7), third in 3-point field goals made (6.8) and second in field goals made (32.1).

"We have a lot of people who can put the ball in the basket," Jasmine Thomas said. "We play with energy and believe in ourselves."

Thomas brings high energy and a heavy dose of confidence after compiling 20 points, six assists, six rebounds and three steals in the win over Minnesota.

Confidence is one thing the Liberty don't lack, and it starts at the top with coach Bill Laimbeer.

New York is coming off a 102-93 overtime win over Dallas.

"We didn't really have our best effort," Laimbeer told reporters after the loss. "We have been pushing hard, being short-handed, and tonight we kind of hit a wall a little bit and didn't have the energy necessary.

"They are feeling good about themselves and we knew it would be a hard game if we didn't put forth the effort."

The Liberty head into Friday's game with a 20-point loss to the Sun on June 14 still on their minds.

"We have to be mentally focused, more focused from the start of the game," New York's Shavonte Zellous said after that loss. (We need to) guard the penetration, rebound it. We didn't do a great job of that (Wednesday)."

Friday's game will be a battle of high-powered offenses.

The Liberty, led by Tina Charles' 20.5 points per game, score at an 81.6 per game clip while giving up 81.4 per game.

The Sun are scoring 85.5 points per game, with Jonquel Jones leading the way with 15.1 points per game. Connecticut surrenders 79.8 points per game.

WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 14, 2017 Score ATS Results
NEW 76 Over: 172
CONN « 96 Cover: 18
Tools: Recaps

Sep 9, 2016 Score ATS Results
CONN 82 Over: 171
NEW « 89 Cover: 1.5
Tools: Recaps

Jul 17, 2016 Score ATS Results
CONN 76 Cover: 1
NEW « 83 Over: 159
Tools: Recaps

Jun 16, 2016 Score ATS Results
NEW « 80 Cover: 0.5
CONN 72 Under: 152
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mystics (7-4) at Lynx (9-1)
Date: June 23, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

The Minnesota Lynx fell short of equaling their 2016 start. Now they will try do something last season's squad didn't do: bounce right back.

The Lynx, 9-1 after suffering a 98-93 home loss to the Connecticut Sun on Saturday, host the Washington Mystics on Friday evening at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

A year ago, Minnesota opened the season with 13 straight wins but lost its next three. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, hoping to avoid such a streak, focused on basics in practices this week.

"Any time you lose you have their attention a little bit more," she told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "We let some things slip here and there so we plugged a few holes this week. We cleaned some things up."

When the two teams met two weeks ago, the Lynx ran away with a 98-73 win. But the Mystics were without star forward Elena Della Donne.

On Friday, Washington will have its star on the court but will be without its head coach, Mike Thibault, who -- with assistant coach Eric Thibault, his son -- will be in California for the funeral of his father, Frank Thibault.

Assistant Marianne Stanley, the 2002 WNBA coach of the year with Washington, will coach the Mystics against Minnesota.

"It's a tough thing to go through to have two staff members (absent)," said Reeve. "So, they have a legend stepping in. I told our players you pull together in times like this."

The Mystics (7-4) are coming off an 87-83 home loss to Dallas in which they blew a 10-point halftime lead.

"We had them where we wanted them at certain times, and we just kind of took our foot off the pedal," Della Donne told The Washington Post. "Especially on defense, we just had lapses where we were able to let them get into their comfort zone. They were just able to knock down some key shots at the end."

Dallas ended the game with an 8-0 run over the final two minutes.

In practice this week, Thibault turned up the pressure.

"How much are we willing to compete?" Thibault told the Post. "Are we willing to apply the same pressure to other people that they do to us and then react better to the pressure? We had as good of a practice as we could have Wednesday against the same kind of pressure, maybe even more than we saw today, but short-term memory, it kicked in."

Friday's match-up will feature two of the league's top four scorers.

Della Donne, the 2015 MVP, is averaging 20.4 points per game in her first year in Washington.

"She's a tremendous scorer," Reeve said of Della Donne, who has led the Mystics in scoring in nine of their 11 games. "Her ability to get to the foul line, that's what this entire team is about. ... They put a lot of pressure on your defense. They have shooters all over the place. Taking one of those players out of the mix, like a Delle Donne, you change your focus. You put her back in the game and you have your hands full."

Minnesota will counter with its own MVP candidate, center Sylvia Fowles.

Fowles is second in the league in both scoring (20.9 points per game) and rebounding (9.8).

"When Syl is locked in and she is being patient and she's getting where we want to go, I don't think anybody can do anything with it," Rebekkah Brunson said of her teammate, according to WNBA.com. "She's an amazing player, and I don't think anyone in this league can stop her."

After playing just once in 12 days, Minnesota will have a quick turnaround. The Lynx host the 0-12 San Antonio Stars on Sunday.

Washington plays at Chicago the same day.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Wings (6-8) at Stars (0-12)
Date: June 23, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

Lone Star State bragging rights will be on the line Friday when the San Antonio Stars and Dallas Wings meet for the third time this season -- and the second time in three days -- at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

The Wings held off winless San Antonio (0-12) on Wednesday 81-78 to post their second victory against their Texas rivals this year. It was the Stars'14th consecutive loss, a streak that stretches to the end of last season.

The WNBA record is 20 straight losses by Tulsa in 2011. The worst start to a season is 0-17 by Atlanta in 2008.

Dallas trailed seven points with 5:09 to play but took the lead for good at 80-78 on a three-point play by Skylar Diggins-Smith with 1:27 remaining. San Antonio had two late chances to answer back but couldn't as Dearica Hamby missed two free throws with 4.2 seconds to play and had a turnover on its final possession.

"We didn't finish the game," Stars coach Vickie Johnson said. "I think we played well for 37 minutes but the last three, we got nervous as far as winning the basketball game. We played not to lose instead of playing to win. That really hurt us."

Glory Johnson had a double-double (25 points and 10 rebounds) to lead the Wings to the win while Diggins-Smith and Karima Christmas-Kelly added 16 points apiece. Dallas (6-8) has now captured back-to-back games after dropping three in a row and six of its past seven outings prior to Wednesday.

"We just had to grind it out and play hard defensively," Dallas coach Fred Williams said. "San Antonio played a great game. We just had to bear down. We kept ourselves in it and were able to hit big shots when we needed to."

The Stars were led by Monique Currie's game-high 29 points as San Antonio came up just short of its first win of the season. Moriah Jefferson scored 16 for the Stars but leading scorer Kayla McBride was held to 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting for the Stars.

"We came out really strong, but we had a few breakdowns," Stars guard Moriah Jefferson said. "Seems like that happens pretty much every game, so we've got to figure out a way to stop the breakdowns, stay mentally focused for 40 minutes. But we did fight really hard today, it just didn't come out the way we wanted it to."

Dallas also won the first meeting between the teams this season 94-82 on May 25 in San Antonio.

The Stars are off to their worst start in franchise history and have lost 12 consecutive home games dating back to last July, establishing an WNBA mark for successive home-game futility.

WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 21, 2017 Score ATS Results
SA 78 Cover: 4
DAL « 81 Under: 159
Tools: Recaps

May 25, 2017 Score ATS Results
DAL « 94 Cover: 11
SA 82 Over: 176
Tools: Recaps

Sep 9, 2016 Score ATS Results
DAL « 92 Cover: 4
SA 84 Over: 176
Tools: Recaps

Jun 23, 2016 Score ATS Results
SA 90 Cover: 3
DAL « 97 Over: 187
Tools: Recaps

May 21, 2016 Score ATS Results
SA 77 Cover: 7.5
DAL « 82 Over: 159
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mercury (6-5) at Storm (6-5)
Date: June 23, 2017 10:00 PM EDT

After setting the WNBA career scoring record, guard Diana Taurasi will try to move on with the Phoenix Mercury when they play the Storm in Seattle on Friday night.

"Diana Taurasi has got nothing to prove to anyone because she is the greatest player in the world. But she still has stuff to prove to herself," Phoenix coach Sandy Brondello told reporters on Wednesday.

"That's just the kind of competitor she is. It's just her will to win. It's not about the numbers now. She knows what she can do. It's more about getting out there, getting the team ready, so we can win some more games."

Taurasi reached 7,493 points in a 90-59 loss at Los Angeles on Sunday as Phoenix dropped to 6-5. Seattle (6-5) is coming off a 75-57 home victory over the San Antonio Stars on Sunday, snapping a three-game losing streak.

"I thought we started to look more how we're supposed to look," Storm coach Jenny Boucek said on WNBA.com. "I did think we got more to how we want to play on both ends of the floor."

The first matchup of the season between these teams will feature four of the top nine scorers in the WNBA, heading into Thursday night's games.

Phoenix center Brittney Griner leads at 22.9 points per game. Seattle guard Jewell Loyd, a third-year pro who is taking on a bigger role for the Storm this season, is sixth at 18.4 points per game.

Taurasi is seventh at 18.3 points per game, and Storm forward Breanna Stewart is ninth at 17.3. Stewart is coming off a huge effort against the Stars -- 22 points, a season-high 15 rebounds and a career-best five blocks.

"She now has a good feel for the game, a good rhythm, and is letting things come to her," Boucek said on WNBA.com about the second-year standout from UConn. "When you do that with her talent, good things are going to happen for us as a team."

Phoenix is expected to get back starting point guard Danielle Robinson, who has missed the past two games because of an ankle injury. Her defensive speed should be key against Storm guard Sue Bird, who is averaging a league-best 7.7 assists.

Robinson is averaging 7.2 points and 5.0 assists per game.

Seattle went 2-1 against Phoenix last season, with Loyd scoring 30 and 32 points in the victories.

Taurasi attempts more 3-pointers per game (7.9) than anybody in the WNBA, making 41.8 percent.

"I don't think anyone is going to break this record," Brondello said. "Diana is not retiring any time soon. She is still playing at a high level. Hopefully, she is getting as much love as she can, because she deserves it."

WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Sep 15, 2016 Score ATS Results
SEA 62 Under: 148
PHO « 86 Cover: 17.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 3, 2016 Score ATS Results
PHO 81 Over: 176
SEA « 95 Cover: 20
Tools: Recaps

May 20, 2016 Score ATS Results
SEA « 81 Cover: 12.5
PHO 80 Under: 161
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

CONN at NY 07:30 PM

CONN +3.0

O 164.0

CHI at ATL 07:30 PM

CHI +5.0

O 163.5

DAL at SA 08:00 PM

SA +3.5

O 164.5

WAS at MIN 08:00 PM

WAS +8.5

O 163.5

PHO at SEA 10:00 PM

SEA -4.0

O 159.5

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Capsules
June 23, 2017

SEATTLE (AP) Brittney Griner had her ninth career dunk and and matched Diana Taurasi with 25 points to help the Phoenix Mercury beat the Seattle Storm 85-82 on Friday night.

Griner has three more dunks than all the other players in WNBA history combined. She was 9 of 14 from the field.

Camille Little spun in the lane for a layup to extend Phoenix's lead to 83-78 with 2:56 left and, after a Seattle miss, Danielle Robinson split two defenders for a seven-point lead.

Seattle's Jewell Loyd was fouled on a drive with 32.5 seconds left and hit two free throws to pull to 85-82. After an offensive foul on Taurasi, Seattle lost control of it and a jump ball was called with 5.6 seconds left. Seattle won the tip and called timeout with 3.6 seconds left, but Sami Whitcomb's long 3-pointer didn't hit the rim.

Taurasi made four 3-pointers and scored 19 points in the first half to help Phoenix (7-5) take a 50-43 lead. She finished 6 of 17 from distance,

Breanna Stewart led Seattle (6-6) with 21 points and eight rebounds. Jewell Loyd added 18 points, and Langhorne had 16.

SUN 94, LIBERTY 89

NEW YORK (AP) - Jasmine Thomas scored 23 points and Connecticut beat New York after blowing a 21-point lead.

Jonquel Jones added 21 points for the Sun (6-5). They have won five straight games, including two over New York.

Connecticut was up 70-49 in the third quarter before New York rallied to tie it at 86 with 1:06 left on a layup by Shavonte Zellous. Courtney Williams then hit a jumper to give the Sun the lead and pulled down the rebound on the other end. Jasmine Thomas then hit a 3-pointer from the wing - the team's 12th of the game - with 24 seconds left to seal the victory.

Tina Charles scored 18 of her 20 points in the second half to lead New York (7-5).

WINGS 81, STARS 69

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Skylar Diggins-Smith hit a franchise record seven 3-pointers and scored a season-high 30 points to help the Wings beat the winless Stars.

Alex Montgomery made an open 3-pointer to extend San Antonio's lead to 62-58 with 7:28 left but Diggins-Smith made two shots from behind the arc for a 64-62 lead. Theresa Plaisance's basket gave Dallas the lead for good with 5:13 to go and San Antonio went scoreless for nearly three minutes down the stretch.

Plaisance finished with 19 points and eight rebounds for Dallas (7-8), which also beat the Stars on Wednesday. Allisha Gray scored 12 and Kayla Thornton 10.

Kayla McBride made four 3-pointers and scored 20 points for San Antonio (0-13).

SKY 82, DREAM 78

ATLANTA (AP) - Allie Quigley scored 22 points and Stefanie Dolson added 19 to help the Sky beat the Dream.

Cappie Pondexter added 17 points and nine assists for Chicago (3-9), which also won at Atlanta on May 21. She moved into sixth in WNBA history with 1,399 made free throws.

Pondexter hit a long jumper to give Chicago a 76-63 lead with 3:12 left but Atlanta closed to 76-73 with 28.9 seconds left on Elizabeth Williams' layup. Chicago sealed it at the line as Pondexter, Dolson and Courtney Vandersloot combined for six straight free throws.

Williams led Atlanta (5-6) with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie Brittney Sykes scored a season-best 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Tiffany Hayes had 15 points.

LYNX 93, MYSTICS 76

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Maya Moore had 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, Sylvia Fowles added 21 points and 15 boards, and the Lynx beat the Mystics.

Minnesota started with a 9-0 run and led 50-36 at the break behind Moore, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds by the half. Washington pulled within 75-68 with 6:48 left but the Mystics went scoreless for two minutes and trailed 83-68.

Lindsay Whalen added 12 points and Rebekkah Brunson scored 11 for Minnesota (10-1), which bounced back after a 98-93 home loss to the Connecticut Sun on Saturday. The Lynx made 23 of 28 free throws and outrebounded the Mystics 43-31.

Tayler Hill led Washington (7-5) with 21 points and Elena Delle Donne had 17 points and eight rebounds. Coach Mike Thibault missed the game as he was at the funeral for his father.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY JUNE 24, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM Los Angeles Sparks Indiana Fever Bankers Life Fieldhouse

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY JUNE 25, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
4:30 PM Connecticut Sun Dallas Wings College Park Center
6:00 PM Washington Mystics Chicago Sky Allstate Arena
7:00 PM San Antonio Stars Minnesota Lynx Target Center

SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY JUNE 27, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
12:00 PM Seattle Storm Washington Mystics Verizon Center
7:00 PM Los Angeles Sparks Connecticut Sun Mohegan Sun Arena

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY JUNE 28, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
12:30 PM Indiana Fever Chicago Sky Allstate Arena

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY JUNE 29, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM New York Liberty Washington Mystics Verizon Center
8:00 PM Seattle Storm Connecticut Sun Mohegan Sun Arena

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY JUNE 30, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:30 PM Los Angeles Sparks Atlanta Dream McCamish Pavilion
8:00 PM Chicago Sky San Antonio Stars AT&T Center
10:00 PM Minnesota Lynx Phoenix Mercury Talking Stick Resort Arena

Updated Sat Jun 24 1:04 AM EDT

*************************

LEAGUE STANDINGS

Rank Team W L PCT GB CONF HOME ROAD L-10 STREAK

#1 Minnesota Lynx10 1 0.909 - 4-0 4-1 6-0 9-1 W 1

#2 Los Angeles Sparks8 3 0.727 2 5-1 6-0 2-3 7-3 W 4

#3 New York Liberty7 5 0.583 3.5 1-2 5-3 2-2 6-4 L 1

#4 Phoenix Mercury7 5 0.583 3.5 3-3 3-3 4-2 6-4 W 1

#5 Washington Mystics7 5 0.583 3.5 5-0 5-2 2-3 6-4 L 2

#6 Connecticut Sun6 5 0.545 4 4-3 2-2 4-3 6-4 W 5

#7 Seattle Storm6 6 0.500 4.5 2-3 5-3 1-3 5-5 L 1

#8 Indiana Fever6 6 0.500 4.5 3-1 5-1 1-5 6-4 W 2

#9 Dallas Wings7 8 0.467 5 5-4 3-4 4-4 4-6 W 3

#10 Atlanta Dream5 6 0.455 5 2-6 2-2 3-4 4-6 L 2

#11 Chicago Sky3 9 0.250 7.5 2-5 0-5 3-4 3-7 W 1

#12 San Antonio Stars0 13 0.000 11 0-8 0-6 0-7 0-10 L 13

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA

Saturday, June 24

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

7:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. INDIANA
Los Angeles is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Los Angeles is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Indiana is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing at home against Los Angeles


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WNBA
Dunkel

Saturday, June 24


Los Angeles @ Indiana

Game 613-614
June 24, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Los Angeles
114.811
Indiana
111.418
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 3 1/2
161
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
by 6 1/2
166
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(+6 1/2); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, June 24

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

LOS ANGELES (8 - 3) at INDIANA (6 - 6) - 6/24/2017, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

[StarDust Bum]

Date W/L/T % Units

06/23/2017.................5-5-0................ 50.00%.................-2.50
06/21/2017................ 0-2-0................. 0.00%............... -11.00
06/18/2017................ 3-5-0................ 37.50%................-12.50
06/17/2017................ 2-0-0............... 100.00%............. +10.00
06/16/2017................ 2-1-1................ 66.67%............... +4.50
06/15/2017................ 2-2-0 ................50.00%................ -1.00
06/14/2017................ 1-1-0................ 50.00%................ -0.50
06/13/2017................ 2-2-0................ 50.00%.................-1.00
06/11/2017................ 2-4-0................ 33.33%.............. -12.00
06/10/2017................ 3-3-0................ 50.00%................ -1.50
06/09/2017................ 2-4-0................ 33.33%............... -12.00
06/07/2017................ 1-1-0................ 50.00% .................-0.50
06/06/2017................ 5-1-0................ 83.33%.............. +19.50
06/04/2017................ 1-3-0................ 25.00%............... -11.50
06/03/2017................ 3-3-0................ 50.00%................. -1.50
06/02/2017................ 0-2-0................. 0.00%................ -11.00
06/01/2017................ 1-1-0................ 50.00%................. -0.50

Totals:....................35 - 41 - 1.............46.05%.................- 45.00

best bets:

06/23/2017.................5-5-0................ 50.00%.....................-2.50
06/21/2017................ 0-2-0................. 0.00%................... -11.00
06/18/2017.................3-4-0..................42.85%....................-1.40
06/17/2017................ 2-0-0............... 100.00%................. +10.00
06/16/2017................ 2-1-1................ 66.67%................... +4.50
06/15/2017................ 2-2-0 ................50.00%.................... -1.00
06/14/2017................ 1-1-0................ 50.00%.................... -0.50
06/13/2017................ 2-2-0................ 50.00%.....................-1.00
06/11/2017................ 2 - 4 - 0................ 33.33%.... .......... -12.00
06/10/2017................ 3 - 3 - 0................ 50.00%................ -1.50
06/09/2017................ 2 - 4 - 0................ 33.33%............... -12.00
06/07/2017................ 1 - 1 - 0................ 50.00% .................-0.50
06/06/2017................ 5 - 1 - 0................ 83.33%.............. +19.50
06/04/2017................ 1 - 3 - 0................ 25.00%............... -11.50
06/03/2017................ 3 - 3 - 0................ 50.00%................. -1.50
06/02/2017.................0 - 2......................00.00%................-11.00
06/01/2017................ 1 - 1 - 0................ 50.00%................ -0.50

Totals:....................35 - 40 - 1.................46.66%................- 33.90

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sparks (8-3) at Fever (6-6)
Date: June 24, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Sparks are playing their best basketball of the season, having won four straight games to climb into second place in the league standings.

But the defending champions are potentially heading into an emotional buzz saw on Saturday when they travel to face the Indiana Fever.

The Fever will be retiring the No. 24 jersey of all-time great Tamika Catchings at halftime of Saturday's game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. A 10-time WNBA All-Star and future Hall of Famer, Catchings retired after last season as the league's all-time leader in rebounds and No. 2 in career points (since dropped to third). She was the face of the Indiana franchise for more than a decade.

"It was a journey and a grind every single year starting in 2002," Catchings told FOX 59, a local television affiliate.

The Fever would like to honor the franchise's greatest player with a third straight win, but it won't be easy.

The Sparks (8-3) roll into Indianapolis on their season-long win streak, spurred by star forward Candace Parker. The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, Parker scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Los Angeles' 90-59 blowout win over the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday. It was the 19th time in her career that Parker has been named player of the week.

The Fever (6-6) are coming off their first road win of the season, a 91-79 come-from-behind victory at Chicago. Indiana overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half. Tiffany Mitchell scored a season-high 19 points to lead the comeback, and the Fever forced 18 turnovers, while committing only four.

Indiana beat Los Angeles 93-90 early in the season, rallying back from a 14-point halftime deficit, behind a big game from guard Marissa Coleman. Coleman hit five 3-pointers and finished with 18 points.

The Fever outscored the Sparks 27-10 in the third quarter and held on in the fourth quarter.

All five Los Angeles starters finished in double figures in the first meeting with the Fever this season, led by 24 points from Nneka Ogwumike. But the Sparks' bench was outscored 31-4 by the Fever reserves.

Indiana has won two of the last three meeting with the Sparks.

WNB HEAD TO HEAD

May 24, 2017 Score ATS Results
LOS 90 Over: 183
IND « 93 Cover: 9.5
Tools: Recaps

Sep 4, 2016 Score ATS Results
IND 81 Cover: 1.5
LOS « 88 Over: 169
Tools: Recaps

Jul 19, 2016 Score ATS Results
LOS 82 Over: 174
IND « 92 Cover: 15
Tools: Recaps

Jul 6, 2016 Score ATS Results
IND 88 Cover: 5.5
LOS « 94 Over: 182
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

LA at IND 07:00 PM

IND +6.0

O 167.0