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

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA

Wednesday, August 30

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. INDIANA
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 10 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Minnesota is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Indiana is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing Minnesota

8:00 PM
DALLAS vs. CHICAGO
Dallas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Dallas is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games at home
Chicago is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games at home


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WNBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, August 30


Dallas @ Chicago

Game 653-654
August 30, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
107.940
Chicago
111.257
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 3 1/2
178
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
by 2
174
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(-2); Over

Minnesota @ Indiana

Game 651-652
August 30, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
122.074
Indiana
98.587
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 23 1/2
151
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 15
155 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-15); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, August 30

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MINNESOTA (24 - 7) at INDIANA (9 - 23) - 8/30/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 7-5 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 9-3 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DALLAS (15 - 17) at CHICAGO (12 - 19) - 8/30/2017, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) against Eastern conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 11-21 ATS (-12.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 24-36 ATS (-15.6 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 19-32 ATS (-16.2 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 13-23 ATS (-12.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 10-20 ATS (-12.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) in home games this season.
CHICAGO is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
CHICAGO is 14-27 ATS (-15.7 Units) in home games after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 5-2 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-2 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s six-pack

— Celtics sent Cleveland a 2nd-round pick in 2020 to complete the Kyrie Irving trade, so that is official now.

— All nine hitters who started for the Texas Rangers Wednesday night have 15+ homers.

— Brandon Phillips banked a $500K bonus when he got traded to the Angels last night.

— Angels moved Cameron Maybin to Houston today, then acquired Justin Upton from Detroit, before acquiring Phillips.

— Florida Gators have 10 players suspended for its football season opener against Michigan that is being played in Dallas Saturday afternoon.

— Ironic that Matt Harvey is pitching for the Mets in Houston Saturday, after Hurricane Harvey devastated Harris County and much of the gulf coast this week.

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Friday’s List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here……..

13) JJ Watt is a great American; his fundraising efforts for the people in Houston have gone over the $13M mark. He is setting an example for other public figures on how to deal with a tragedy.

12) There are many images from Texas that are very sad, but the clip on the Interweb of the man playing the piano in his flooded home is just unspeakably sad. It is on CNN’s website and other places. You wonder how long it’ll take for these people’s lives to return to some kind of normalcy.

11) Astros acquired Justin Verlander from Detroit last night for three minor leaguers. Houston desperately needed a top-flight starting pitcher.

10) Ohio State 49, Indiana 21- Hoosiers led 21-20 in third quarter, before reality set in.

Indiana fired Lee Corso as its football coach after the 1982 season; last night was the first time since then that coach Corso saw the Hoosiers play in person.

9) Milwaukee’s Keon Broxton made a game-ending, HR-robbing catch over the CF fence to end the Brewers’ 6-5 win over St Louis Wednesday. If Milwaukee makes the playoffs, that catch is going to be a big reason why.

7) Joey Votto recently walked eight times in two games, making him only the second player since 1984 to do that— Bryce Harper is the other.

6) San Jose State basketball transfer Brandon Clarke (17 pts, 8 reb/game LY) bolts to Gonzaga, because nowaways, thats where all the transfers on the west coast go. Gonzaga or Nevada.

5) White Sox traded P Miguel Gonzalez to Texas last night.

4) Blue Jays 11, Orioles 8— Kendrys Morales hit three homers for Toronto.

3) I’m surprised/disappointed that Jeff Fisher hasn’t surfaced as a TV analyst. He doesn’t need the money but would be curious to hear what he has to say.

2) There are already 1,855 entries to this year’s SuperContest at the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas; the previous record for entries was 1,854, set last year. Deadline is September 9, so it is likely that first place this season will be over $1M.

1) RIP to coach Rollie Massimino 82, who won the last college basketball game played without a shot clock, Villanova’s upset of Georgetown in the 1985 national title game.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Friday, September 1

Atlanta @ Los Angeles

Game 663-664
September 1, 2017 @ 10:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
105.403
Los Angeles
123.032
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 17 1/2
163
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
by 14
158 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(-14); Over

Connecticut @ Phoenix

Game 661-662
September 1, 2017 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Connecticut
111.961
Phoenix
109.691
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Connecticut
by 2 1/2
168
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 1
170
Dunkel Pick:
Connecticut
(+1); Under

Chicago @ Minnesota

Game 659-660
September 1, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
107.984
Minnesota
119.426
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 11 1/2
175
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 13 1/2
164
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+13 1/2); Over

San Antonio @ New York

Game 657-658
September 1, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
105.667
New York
122.662
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 17
145
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 13
149
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(-13); Under

Seattle @ Washington

Game 655-656
September 1, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
108.954
Washington
105.883
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 3
166
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
by 1
160 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(-1); Over




WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, September 1

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SEATTLE (14 - 18) at WASHINGTON (17 - 15) - 9/1/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 17-34 ATS (-20.4 Units) in road games when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
SEATTLE is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) against Eastern conference opponents this season.
SEATTLE is 75-105 ATS (-40.5 Units) in road games after a division game since 1997.
SEATTLE is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in non-conference games this season.
SEATTLE is 8-16 ATS (-9.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game this season.
SEATTLE is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 308-368 ATS (-96.8 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 0-11 ATS (-12.1 Units) as an underdog this season.
WASHINGTON is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 58-84 ATS (-34.4 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) against Western conference opponents this season.
WASHINGTON is 179-229 ATS (-72.9 Units) after a division game since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in non-conference games this season.
WASHINGTON is 22-44 ATS (-26.4 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 4-3 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 4-3 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SAN ANTONIO (7 - 25) at NEW YORK (20 - 12) - 9/1/2017, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after a division game this season.
NEW YORK is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 to 15 points over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 to 18 points over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 or more points over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 58-38 ATS (+16.2 Units) in road games against Eastern conference opponents since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 58-38 ATS (+16.2 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.
NEW YORK is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 4-3 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 6-1 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CHICAGO (12 - 20) at MINNESOTA (25 - 7) - 9/1/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) on Friday this season.
CHICAGO is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in road games after a non-conference game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 5-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 4-3 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CONNECTICUT (21 - 11) at PHOENIX (16 - 16) - 9/1/2017, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 20-12 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
CONNECTICUT is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after a division game this season.
CONNECTICUT is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
CONNECTICUT is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in road games after scoring 75 points or more this season.
CONNECTICUT is 31-18 ATS (+11.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 32-17 ATS (+13.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 29-47 ATS (-22.7 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 6-1 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 4-3 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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ATLANTA (12 - 20) at LOS ANGELES (24 - 8) - 9/1/2017, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in road games revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 20-12 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) after a division game this season.
LOS ANGELES is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
LOS ANGELES is 4-18 ATS (-15.8 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 to 15 points since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 7-25 ATS (-20.5 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 to 18 points since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 8-25 ATS (-19.5 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 or more points since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 66-92 ATS (-35.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 180-223 ATS (-65.3 Units) after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 17-33 ATS (-19.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 41-66 ATS (-31.6 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-1 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-2 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Friday, September 1

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. WASHINGTON
Seattle is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games
Washington is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Seattle

7:30 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. NEW YORK
San Antonio is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games
New York is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
New York is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against San Antonio

8:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. MINNESOTA
Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chicago

10:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Connecticut's last 8 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Connecticut is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Connecticut
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Phoenix's last 16 games when playing Connecticut

10:30 PM
ATLANTA vs. LOS ANGELES
Atlanta is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Atlanta is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Los Angeles's last 11 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Storm (14-18) at Mystics (17-15)
Date: September 01, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

The reeling Washington Mystics are looking for any kind of positive momentum heading into the WNBA playoffs.

For the Seattle Storm, a win in Friday's matchup would clinch their postseason slot with point guard Sue Bird poised to set history.

The Mystics (17-15) have lost three in a row and five of six games to drop out of contention for a first-round bye. Now Washington hopes to maintain its No. 5 seed and, more important, find a rhythm.

Bird needs three assists to pass Ticha Penicheiro (2,599) for the WNBA career record. Seattle (14-18) needs a victory to avoid a potential showdown in Sunday's season finale at Chicago for the final playoff berth.

Jewell Loyd scored 33 points in Sunday's 75-71 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. Seattle has dropped two in a row.

In Tuesday's 86-76 home loss to the Connecticut Sun, the Mystics shot 36 percent from the floor and let the game get away in the second half after trailing 40-38 at halftime.

"I think we need to find a way to continue being the aggressor and finding a way to get it done even when shots are not falling and everything might not be going our way," Washington's Elena Delle Donne said.

The All-Star forward had 24 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in her third game after missing nearly a month following thumb surgery. Finding consistent help elsewhere has been among the issues for a Washington team ravaged by injuries all season. Starters Emma Meesseman and Kristi Toliver shot a combined 5 of 22 from the field.

"I would hope the veterans would be," Washington coach Mike Thibault said of those needing to step up. "That's on them a little bit, but hopefully in the next few days and at the start of next week before we play (in the playoffs), we'll get some practice time to kind of get the group that's going to play some practice time. We haven't had much lately and we need it badly."

Bird had 10 points and three assists against Phoenix.

"This record really isn't the forefront of my mind," Bird told the Seattle Times. "It will happen when it happens. When you look at players who set the record for most points in a game or most rebounds in a game, they weren't going into the game trying to do that. It just happened. We're really just focusing on finishing the season strong."

Phoenix clinched its playoff berth in Seattle's final home game of the regular season. For the Storm to join the Mercury and Mystics in the postseason, they must get it done on the road.

"We need to win to make sure we can get in," coach Gary Kloppenburg told the Times. "It's a hard league. Our league, from top to bottom, talent-wise, is very close. I expect both those games to be a war out there on the East Coast."

Seattle is 4-11 on the road; Washington is 10-6 at home.


WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 27, 2017 Score ATS Results
SEA 70 Over: 170
WAS « 100 Cover: 25
Tools: Recaps

May 21, 2017 Score ATS Results
WAS 71 Under: 152
SEA « 81 Cover: 8
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Stars (7-25) at Liberty (20-12)
Date: September 01, 2017 7:30 PM EDT

It's Fan Appreciation Day at Madison Square Garden on Friday and New York has taken its fans on quite a ride this season.

And the Liberty train is chugging along with plenty of steam as the regular season ends and postseason nears.

On Friday, the Liberty (20-12) put an eight-game winning streak on the line against the San Antonio Stars. More important, the Liberty have secured either the No. 3 or 4 seed in the playoffs.

The Liberty have had plenty of time to rest, defeating the Chicago Sky 92-62 on Sunday in their last game and clinching a first-round bye in the postseason.

"That's really important," New York's Tina Charles told Newsday. "The way we're playing, I wish we had more games (only two remain). Maybe we could've climbed into the top two teams. ... We started off uncertain. Hopefully, we can finish off unforgettable."

To illustrate just how well New York is playing, their 30-point victory against the Sky was the largest margin all season. They also defeated the three best teams -- Minnesota, Los Angeles and Connecticut -- back-to-back-to-back.

And New York has won 20 games for a team-record third straight season.

But all the records and win streaks and personal accomplishments (Charles was named Eastern Conference Player of the Year for a sixth time this season) don't amount to a hill of beans to coach Bill Laimbeer.

"Franchise this, franchise that. The only thing that matters is that there's no championship banner hanging," he said after the win against the Sky.

New York has not lost since Aug. 4. They were treading water at 12-12. The offense was in a funk. Then the light bulbs went on and the Liberty's identity became crystal clear.

Defense.

Over the past eight games, New York is limiting its opponents to 66.4 points per game on .377 shooting from the field and .270 from 3-point range.

Even though the Stars have the league's worst record at 7-25, the Liberty won't be taking San Antonio lightly. Kayla McBride knocked down five 3-pointers as San Antonio handed New York a 93-81 loss Aug. 1.

And top draft pick Kelsey Plum has adjusted to the pace of the WNBA after a slow start.

"Adversity" is how Plum describes her first professional season.

"You take for granted certain things when things are going well. And when things aren't going so well it gives you a better perspective," she said.

Plum has started 21 of 29 games and is averaging 8.1 points and 3.3 assists per game. She's shown flashes of brilliance, but like many rookies has had her struggles.

"I was riding on a cloud for so long, and I got brought back down to earth. There was a point in the season where I frustrated in myself and how I was playing."

In the win against the Liberty on Aug. 1, Plum scored 10 points on 3 of 10 shooting. But that game seemed to be a turning point for the all-time women's collegiate scoring leader. In her next seven games, she has averaged more than 12 points and six assists per game.

San Antonio closes out its season on Saturday in Indiana while New York's final regular season game is in Dallas on Sunday.


WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 1, 2017 Score ATS Results
NEW 81 Over: 174
SA « 93 Cover: 21
Tools: Recaps

May 13, 2017 Score ATS Results
SA 64 Cover: 4
NEW « 73 Under: 137
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sky (12-20) at Lynx (25-7)
Date: September 01, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

Entering the final weekend of the WNBA regular season, the Minnesota Lynx and Chicago Sky have very different playoff aspirations.

The Lynx are trying to secure the No. 1 seed, and the Sky is fighting just to get into the playoffs as the two teams meet Friday evening at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Chicago (12-20) trails Seattle by two games for the final playoff spot. Each team has two games to play.

The Sky and Storm face each other in Chicago on Sunday in the season finale for both teams.

For that game to have any meaning, the Sky must beat the league's top team on the road and hope Seattle falls at Washington on Friday.

"It's one game and anyone can beat anyone," Sky guard Allie Quigley said of Chicago's chances of beating Minnesota, according to the Chicago Daily Herald. "We're going to go in confident and not worry about Seattle and Washington. Just worry about us and then hope for the best in that game."

Chicago's playoff hopes would be brighter had it not squandered a 13-point lead in a 99-96 loss to Dallas on Wednesday.

The Wings, who clinched a playoff spot with the win, grabbed 20 offensive rebounds that led to 26 second-chance points, as Chicago squandered one of its best offensive performances -- 59 percent shooting, a season-high 33 assists -- of the year.

"We fought very hard and this is a tough, tough outcome," Sky coach Amber Stocks said. "But 20 offensive rebounds by the opponent is significantly debilitating."

Minnesota (25-7) leads Los Angeles by one game with two to play, but the Sparks hold a potential tiebreaker, having won two of the teams' three meetings this season.

"We're on a mission to accomplish a goal that we're in control of, in terms of our destiny," Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said, according to the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune. "... We're happy to get win No. 25."

After an 80-69 win over Indiana on Wednesday, Minnesota is 5-5 since losing point guard Lindsay Whalen. The Sparks are 7-2 during that span.

"This is a little dif¬fer¬ent for us," Reeve told the Star Tribune. "But every jour¬ney is dif¬fer¬ent."

Reeve has said she expects Whalen back in the postseason.

The Lynx offense has been up and down since Whalen was lost, but Reeve has focused on defense.

"It's prob¬a¬bly a case where our of¬fen¬sive frus¬tra¬tion led to a lack of de-fen¬sive con¬nec¬tiv¬i¬ty," Reeve said after her team's Sunday loss in Los Angeles. "You hope your de¬fense can cov¬er for your of¬fense when it struggles. But in the first half Sun¬day, we gave up 36 points in the paint in the first half. We came un¬glued."

In the Wednesday win in Indianapolis, the Lynx held the Fever to 11 points in the fourth quarter.

"Just collectively sticking to the game plan defensively, playing team defense," Maya Moore said, according to the website Swish Appeal. "Our activity was great and I think it caused a lot of disruption, especially in the second half and fourth quarter for us. We were able to pull ahead with putting together consecutive stops going into the fourth."

If Minnesota wins its final two games -- the Lynx host Washington on Sunday -- it will clinch the top spot in the playoffs. If the Sparks were to lose one of their final two games, the Lynx would need just one win.

Los Angeles hosts Atlanta (on Friday) and third-place Connecticut (Sunday) to close out the season.


WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 8, 2017 Score ATS Results
MIN 76 Over: 176
CHI « 100 Cover: 38
Tools: Recaps

May 14, 2017 Score ATS Results
CHI 61 Cover: 7.5
MIN « 70 Under: 131
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sun (21-11) at Mercury (16-16)
Date: September 01, 2017 10:00 PM EDT

The Connecticut Sun and the Phoenix Mercury have secured spots in the upcoming WNBA playoffs, but seeding in the postseason will still be in play when the two teams square off Friday at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.

But both teams have adopted versions of the same just-win-and-then-see-what-happens mentality for the stretch run.

The Sun can finish as high as third with wins in its final two games but no lower than fourth even if it loses Friday against Phoenix and Sunday at Los Angeles.

There is no scenario where Connecticut can fall further than fourth or rise higher that the third seed. Both the third and fourth seeds earn first-round playoff byes and will host the winners of the 5 vs. 8 and 6 vs. 7 games.

The Sun clinched one of the top four berths in the playoffs with an 86-76 victory over Washington on Tuesday night in the nation's capital.

Connecticut (21-11) received a career-high 22 rebounds from center Jonquel Jones and a career-high 26 points from Alyssa Thomas to pull away from the Mystics (17-15). Jasmine Thomas scored 20 points for the Sun while Jones added 14. Shekinna Stricken had 12 points after sinking four 3-point shots. The Sun were 10-of-20 from the floor from 3-point range.

Jones is only the second player in WNBA history to pull down at least 20 rebounds in three games in one season. The only other player was Tina Charles, who now plays for New York, when she pulled down a league record 384 rebounds during her 2010 rookie season with Connecticut.

"It was a very physical game -- it took a playoff feel and intensity and winning this game was important for us," Sun general manager and coach Curt Miller said. "I'm proud that we were gritty and made the plays we had to."

The Mercury are the sixth seed but could move as high as fifth if they finish tied or ahead Washington. The fifth and sixth seeds will host single-elimination playoff games, and the seeding is just a matter of determining which teams they will face in those games.

Phoenix heads home after it outlasted the Seattle Storm 75-71 on Sunday in Seattle. Diana Taurasi scored 18 points and made a clutch 3-pointer with 15.7 seconds to play. Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 29 points and five blocked shots, and added eight rebounds. Mitchell scored 11 for Phoenix (16-16).

"We've been struggling lately so it was important for us to get a confidence-building win over Seattle," Mercury coach Sandy Brondello said. "We go into these last two games of the regular season looking to play a little more consistently. We still have a lot of work to do and we are going to take each game a game at a time. That's all we can do."

This will be the third and final meeting this season, and the second between the two in the last 13 days. Connecticut hammered the Mercury 94-66 on Aug. 20 and escaped with a 93-92 win Aug. 4, with those games on the Sun's home floor.

The Sun will look to sweep the season series over Phoenix for the first time since 2011 when Connecticut went 2-0 over the Mercury. The Sun also went 2-0 against Phoenix in 2010.


WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 20, 2017 Score ATS Results
PHO 66 Under: 160
CONN « 94 Cover: 23
Tools: Recaps

Aug 4, 2017 Score ATS Results
PHO 92 Cover: 7
CONN « 93 Over: 185
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dream (12-20) at Sparks (24-8)
Date: September 01, 2017 10:30 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Sparks have been looking up at the Minnesota Lynx in the league standings for much of the year. But heading into the final weekend of the regular season, they have a chance to catch their rivals and perhaps overtake them for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

The Sparks tip off their final two-game stretch of the regular season Friday, when the Atlanta Dream visits Staples Center.

Los Angeles trails the Lynx by one game, but owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, thanks to last week's 78-67 victory over Minnesota.

The Dream trail the Seattle Storm by two games with two games to play for the final playoff spot. Atlanta needs to win out and get some help from the Storm and the Chicago Sky to stay in the postseason.

Atlanta had to win back-to-back games just to get into this position, including a 79-74 overtime win over the Indiana Fever on Saturday.

"You always want to end the season playing well whether you make the playoffs or not," Atlanta coach Michael Cooper said after the win over Indiana. "Our playoff chances are still pretty good. So, for us to come out and play hard and play well and never give up says a lot about this team."

Sparks center Candice Parker led Los Angeles with 24 points and 10 rebounds against Minnesota on Sunday. It was the Sparks' fifth straight win.

"I hope things are clicking going into playoffs," Parker told reporters after the win over the Lynx. "I know that I have to be aggressive and assertive, and I'm able to do that now. I'm healthy, moving well, and I feel good."

The Sparks can finish no worse than the second seed and will close out the regular season against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. The Lynx finish the season against Chicago and Washington on Friday and Sunday, respectively.

Los Angeles shouldn't look past the Dream, though. The teams split their two previous meetings this season, and Atlanta has won three of four against Los Angeles overall.

Tiffany Hayes, Atlanta's leading scorer, had 24 points, including a clutch, late free throw, in the Dream's 75-73 victory over Los Angeles on May 27.

The Sparks got revenge, behind 24 points from Parker, in an 85-76 win over the Dream on June 30.


WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 30, 2017 Score ATS Results
LOS « 85 Cover: 1.5
ATL 76 Over: 161
Tools: Recaps

May 27, 2017 Score ATS Results
LOS 73 Under: 148
ATL « 75 Cover: 8.5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

SEA at WAS 07:00 PM

WAS -2.0

U 160.5

SA at NY 07:30 PM

SA +13.0

U 150.0

CHI at MIN 08:00 PM

MIN -13.5

O 164.0

CONN at PHO 10:00 PM

PHO +1.0

O 170.0

ATL at LA 10:30 PM

LA -13.5

U 158.5

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Capsules
September 1, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) Elena Delle Donne scored a season-high 37 points and the Washington Mystics beat the Seattle Storm 110-106 in overtime on Friday night.

The victory spoiled Seattle's Sue Bird breaking the WNBA's all-time assist record when she recorded her 2,600th career assist in the first quarter to pass Ticha Penicheiro and move into the top spot.

Washington led by three when Emma Meesseman made 1 of 2 free throws with 16.3 seconds remaining in overtime for a four-point lead. Bird was fouled on a 3-pointer five seconds later and hit all three shots to pull Seattle to 102-101. The teams combined for 13 free throws over the remaining 11 seconds and with Seattle down two with 3.8 seconds left Sami Whitcomb intentionally missed a free throw, but Delle Donne secured the rebound and made two free throws at the other end to seal it.

Meesseman added 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists for Washington (18-15), which holds a one-game lead on Phoenix for the fifth spot in the playoffs. The Mercury hold the tiebreaker between the teams.

Despite the loss, Seattle (14-19) clinched a postseason berth due to losses by Chicago and Atlanta later Friday night. The Storm will be the eighth seed.

LYNX 110, SKY 87

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Sylvia Fowles had 27 points and 12 rebounds for her 20th double-double, and the Lynx topped 100 points for the third straight home game with a victory over the Chicago Sky.

The Lynx set a WNBA record with 35 assists - without injured point guard Lindsay Whalen. They topped the 34 assists that both Los Angeles and Seattle had against Chicago earlier this season.

Maya Moore hit her 461st career 3-pointer, moving past Katie Smith for the franchise record.

Minnesota (26-7) remains a game in front of Los Angeles for the best record in the league. The Sparks, who beat Atlanta on Friday, own the tiebreaker. They'd need a win in their final game and a loss by the Lynx to get the top seed.

Kahleah Copper scored 21 points for Chicago (12-21), which was eliminated from the playoff hunt with the loss.

LIBERTY 81, STARS 69

NEW YORK (AP) - Tina Charles and Epiphanny Prince scored 16 points apiece and the Liberty pulled away in the fourth quarter to win their ninth straight game, beating San Antonio.

New York (21-12) entered the night having clinched a first-round postseason bye and is a half-game behind Connecticut for the third seed. The Sun played at Phoenix later Friday night. The Liberty, who have not lost since Aug. 4, conclude their regular season against the Dallas Wings on Sunday with a shot of matching the franchise record for consecutive victories.

Kia Vaughn and Shavonte Zellous added 10 points each for New York.

Kelsey Plum scored 18 points and Kayla Alexander had 15 points and nine rebounds to lead San Antonio (7-26).

MERCURY 86, SUN 66

PHOENIX (AP) - Brittney Griner had 20 of her 31 points in the first half and the Mercury clinched a home playoff game with a win over the Sun.

The Sun (21-12) dropped into a third-place tie with the New York Liberty, each with one game remaining in the regular season. Connecticut visits the Los Angeles Sparks and New York travels to the Dallas Wings, both on Sunday. The Liberty hold the tiebreaker.

The Mercury (17-16) finish their season at home against Atlanta on Sunday and will stay in Phoenix. The Mercury can earn the fifth seed with a win and a loss by Washington.

Alyssa Thomas had 19 points and Brionna Jones added 13 for the Sun.

SPARKS 81, DREAM 56

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Candace Parker scored 15 points and the Sparks built an early double-digit lead en route to an easy victory over the Dream.

Los Angeles (25-8) has won six straight and is a game back of the Minnesota Lynx (26-7) for the No. 1 seed into the playoffs. The Sparks host the Connecticut Sun while the Lynx face the Washington Mystics at home to conclude the regular season on Sunday. The Sparks beat Minnesota 78-67 on Aug. 27 and own the tiebreaker over the Lynx. Atlanta (12-21) was eliminated from the postseason.

Nneka Ogwumike and Odyssey Sims added 13 points apiece for the Sparks. Jantel Lavender chipped in 12 points.

Tiffany Hayes scored 19 points to lead Atlanta, which committed a season-high 19 turnovers.

Parker picked up her 1,000th career assist in the first quarter with a pass to Chelsea Gray, who made a 26-footer. Gray hit another 3 on the Sparks' next possession to cap a 14-2 opening run as Los Angeles built a 43-29 halftime lead. Gray finished with eight points.

[StarDust Bum]

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
7:00 PM San Antonio Stars Indiana Fever Bankers Life Fieldhouse

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home Site
2:00 PM New York Liberty Dallas Wings College Park Center
4:00 PM Atlanta Dream Phoenix Mercury Talking Stick Resort Arena
4:00 PM Connecticut Sun Los Angeles Sparks Staples Center
4:00 PM Washington Mystics Minnesota Lynx Target Center
6:00 PM Seattle Storm Chicago Sky Allstate Arena

Updated Sat Sep 2 1:04 AM EDT

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

EASTERN CONFERENCE

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

Connecticut Sun 21 11 0.656 0 12-5 9-6 10-6 8-2 W-1

New York Liberty 20 12 0.625 1 12-4 8-8 11-5 8-2 W-8

Washington Mystics 17 15 0.531 4 10-6 7-9 12-4 4-6 L-3

Chicago Sky 12 20 0.375 9 4-12 8-8 6-10 4-6 L-2

Atlanta Dream 12 20 0.375 9 9-8 3-12 5-11 2-8 W-2

Indiana Fever 9 24 0.273 12 6-10 3-14 4-12 1-9 L-7


WESTERN CONFERENCE

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

Minnesota Lynx 25 7 0.781 0 13-2 12-5 13-3 5-5 W-1

Los Angeles Sparks 24 8 0.750 1 14-1 10-7 12-4 8-2 W-5

Phoenix Mercury 16 16 0.500 9 7-8 9-8 7-9 4-6 W-1

Dallas Wings 16 17 0.485 9 10-6 6-11 7-9 5-5 W-2

Seattle Storm 14 18 0.438 11 10-7 4-11 8-8 4-6 L-2

San Antonio Stars 7 25 0.219 18 6-11 1-14 1-15 4-6 L-3

Updated Sat Sep 2 1:35 AM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

DATE W-L-T % UNITS

09/01/2017..............7-2-1...........77.78%....................+24.00
08/30/2017..............2-2-0...........50.00%.......................-1.00
08/29/2017..............1-1-0...........50.00%.......................-0.50
08/27/2017..............5-1-0...........83.33%.....................+19.50
08/26/2017..............4-0-0..........100.00%....................+20.00
08/25/2017..............1-5-0............16.67%.....................-22.50
08/24/2017..............2-0-0..........100.00%....................+10.00
08/23/2017..............4-2-0............66.67%.....................+9.00
08/22/2017..............2-2-0............50.00%......................-1.00
08/20/2017..............3-5-0............37.50%.....................-12.50
08/19/2017..............1-1-0............50.00%.....................-0.50
08/18/2017..............4-5-0............44.44%.....................-7.50
08/16/2017..............2-2-0............50.00%.....................-1.00
08/15/2017..............2-0-0...........100.00%..................+10.00
08/13/2017..............2-0-0...........100.00%..................+10.00
08/12/2017..............5-3-0.............62.50%...................+8.50
08/11/2017..............1-3-0.............25.00%...................-1150
08/10/2017..............1-3-0.............25.00%...................-1150
08/08/2017..............3-3-0..............50.00%...................-1.50
08/06/2017..............4-2-0..............66.67%..................+9.00
08/05/2017..............3-1-0..............75.00%..................+9.50
08/04/2017..............4-6-0..............40.00%..................-13.00
08/03/2017..............0-2-0................0.00%..................-11.00

Totals...................63 - 51 - 1...........55.26%...................+36.50

DATE.......................ATS................TOTA L............OU................TOTAL

09/01/2017..............5 - 0.........+25.00..........2 -2 -1............ -1.00
08/30/2017..............1 - 1.........- 0.50............1 - 1................-0.50
08/29/2017..............1 - 0........+ 5.00............0 - 1................-5.50
08/27/2017..............3 - 0........+15.00...........2 - 1...............+4.50
08/26/2017..............2 - 0........+10.00...........2 - 0...............+10.00
08/25/2017..............0 - 3........- 16.50...........1 - 2................- 6.00
08/24/2017..............1 - 0..........+5.00...........1 - 0................+5.00
08/23/2017..............2 - 1..........+4.50...........2 - 1................+4.50
08/22/2017..............1 - 1...........-0.50...........1 - 1................- 0.50
08/20/2017..............3 - 1..........+9.50...........0 - 4................-22.00
08/19/2017..............0 - 1...........-5.50...........1 - 0................+ 5.00
08/18/2017..............2 - 3..........- 6.50...........2 - 2................- 1.00
08/16/2017..............1 - 1..........- 0.50...........1 - 1.................- 0.50
08/15/2017..............1 - 0..........+ 5.00..........1 - 0................+ 5.00
08/13/2017..............1 - 0..........+ 5.00..........1 -0.................+ 5.00
08/12/2017..............2 - 2..........- 1.00...........3 - 1................+ 9.50
08/11/2017..............1 - 1..........- 0.50...........0 - 2................- 11.00
08/10/2017..............0 - 2..........- 11.00..........1 - 1.................- 0.50
08/08/2017..............3 - 0...........+15.00........0 - 3.................- 16.50
08/06/2017..............2 - 1...........+ 4.50.........2 - 1.................+ 4.50
08/05/2017..............2 - 0...........+10.00........1 - 1...................- 0.50
08/04/2017..............3 - 2............+ 4.00........1 - 4..................-17.00
08/03/2017..............0 - 1.............- 5.50........0 - 1...................- 5.50

Totals.................37 - 20 - 0........+ 69.50.........25 - 32 - 1.............-33.00

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

— CC Sabathia complained that Eduardo Nunez bunted in the first inning Thursday; Jim Rice shredded Sabathia for complaining on the NESN postgame show.

— Cubs acquired OF Leonys Martin from Seattle just before the calendar turned to September.

— Tigers will pay $8M of Justin Verlander’s $28M salary in each of the next two years.

— Texas 3B Adrian Beltre has a strained hamstring, could miss the rest of the season.

— Boston College 23, Northern Illinois 20— Best game of the day, in either sport

— NFL rosters have to be at 53 by 4:00 Saturday, which means 1,184 players will have been cut in the last 48 hours. Busy time for front offices of the lesser teams, searching for free agents that can help improve their squads.


**********

Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Trends for the first college football Saturday

13) In 2013-15, Michigan State was +14/+19/+13 in turnovers, for an amazing total of +46. Spartans went 36-5 in those three seasons.

Last year, MSU was -5 in turnovers and slumped to an abysmal 3-9 record, with 14 senior starters. This year with only 8 returning starters, they’re one of youngest teams in country.

12) Kent State football coach Paul Haynes has taken a medical leave of absence for a few weeks and will not be on the sidelines when the Golden Flashes visit Clemson Saturday.

11) Wyoming is 25-12 vs spread in its last 37 games as a road underdog.

10) Cal Golden Bears covered only twice in their last 10 games as a road underdog.

9) Underdogs are 21-9-2 vs spread in Florida Atlantic’s last 32 games.

8) Penn State coach James Franklin is 18-11 vs spread in his last 29 non-league games.

7) Joe Flacco’s brother Tom is a quarterback at Western Michigan.

6) Arkansas State is 1-8 vs spread in last nine games as a non-league road underdog.

5) Ball State covered nine of its last 11 games when visiting a Big 14 team.

4) South Alabama is 3-10 vs spread in its last 13 games as a road underdog.

3) Boise State is 12-27 vs spread in last 39 games as a home favorite.

2) Georgia Tech is 10-5 vs spread in last 15 games as an underdog.

1) UCLA covered only three of its last thirteen home games.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, September 2

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

SAN ANTONIO (7 - 26) at INDIANA (9 - 24) - 9/2/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 75-51 ATS (+18.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 59-38 ATS (+17.2 Units) in road games against Eastern conference opponents since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 59-38 ATS (+17.2 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 6-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 4-3 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




WNBA

Saturday, September 2

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

7:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. INDIANA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing Indiana
San Antonio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Indiana is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Stars (7-26) at Fever (9-24)
Date: September 02, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

The Indiana Fever will try to win their final home game of the regular season when they host the San Antonio Stars on Saturday evening.

Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention and are looking to snap lengthy losing streaks. This marks the third and final meeting between the teams.

Indiana (9-24) has dropped seven games in a row, including an 80-69 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday night. The Fever are 6-10 at home and 3-14 on the road.

San Antonio (7-26) has lost four straight games and is the only team in the WNBA with a worse record than the Fever. The Stars will play on short rest after an 81-69 loss against the New York Liberty on the road Friday night.

Although this season has not gone well for the Stars, they are 2-0 against the Fever and have an opportunity to complete a series sweep. San Antonio is 1-15 on the road this season, with its only win away from home coming July 12 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

"They're a young team, and I think over the course of the season, they're starting to find their way," Fever coach Pokey Chatman told the team's official website. "They battled with injuries, people never talked about that, but they're really starting to find an identity. They're playing with a little more pace."

Indiana is let in scoring by veteran forward Candice Dupree, who is averaging 14.9 points this season. Dupree also is averaging 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

Guard Erica Wheeler is next on the Fever with an average of 11.7 points per game. However, the rest of the Fever's backcourt has been depleted by injuries as Shenise Johnson, Tiffany Mitchell and Briann January all are sidelined.

San Antonio has two players averaging in double digits. Guard Kayla McBride has posted 14.9 points per game, and center Isabelle Harrison is averaging 11.5 points.

The game marks the regular-series finale for both teams.

"We know it's at the end of the season and everybody's tired," McBride told the team's official website. "We need to lock in this (final) week and get some more wins."

Chatman said she was grateful to Fever fans for their loyalty.

"They're so supportive," Chatman said. "I think about Hurricane Harvey relief and the donations they made. ... It tells you a lot about the support that's been in Indiana for years."


WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 20, 2017 Score ATS Results
IND 61 Under: 146
SA « 85 Cover: 29
Tools: Recaps

Jul 12, 2017 Score ATS Results
SA « 79 Cover: 15
IND 72 Under: 151
Tools: Recaps