The Bum's WNBA Season's Best Bets !

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Tulsa at New York
The Liberty look to build on their 6-2 ATS record in their last 8 games against the Shock in New York. New York is the pick (-6) according to Dunkel, which has the Liberty favored by 9. Dunkel Pick: New York (-6). Here are all of today's picks

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Game 651-652: Tulsa at New York (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 103.351; New York 112.346
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 9; 147
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 6; 153 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (-6); Under

Game 653-654: Washington at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 100.329; Chicago 109.269
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 9; 148
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 10 1/2; 143
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+10 1/2); Over




WNBA

Saturday, September 22

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

2:00 PM
TULSA vs. NEW YORK
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tulsa's last 6 games when playing New York
Tulsa is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
New York is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 6 games when playing Tulsa

8:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. CHICAGO
Washington is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Washington is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
Chicago is 5-13 ATS in its last 18 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday, September 22

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Tulsa - 2:00 PM ET Tulsa +6.5 500
New York - Over 153.5 500

Washington - 8:00 PM ET Chicago -10.5 500
Chicago - Under 143 500

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Atlanta at Connecticut
The Dream look to take advantage of a Connecticut team that is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 Sunday game. Atlanta is the pick (+4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Sun favored by only 3. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+4 1/2). Here are all of today's picks

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Game 601-602: Minnesota at San Antonio (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 116.505; San Antonio 116.624
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 166
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 2 1/2; 162 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+2 1/2); Over

Game 603-604: Seattle at Phoenix (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 110.890; Phoenix 101.544
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 9 1/2; 150
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 7 1/2; 154 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-7 1/2); Under

Game 605-606: Tulsa at Indiana (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 108.839; Indiana 117.660
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 9; 147
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 7 1/2; 152 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-7 1/2); Under

Game 607-608: Atlanta at Connecticut (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 112.988; Connecticut 115.808
Dunkel Line & Total: Connecticut by 3; 163
Vegas Line & Total: Connecticut by 4 1/2; 159
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+4 1/2); Over




WNBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, September 23

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

MINNESOTA (27 - 6) at SAN ANTONIO (20 - 13) - 9/23/2012, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 21-12 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 45-29 ATS (+13.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 36-25 ATS (+8.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) in August or September games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 36-24 ATS (+9.6 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 29-48 ATS (-23.8 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 8-8 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 12-4 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

SEATTLE (15 - 18) at PHOENIX (7 - 26) - 9/23/2012, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
SEATTLE is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) on Sunday games this season.
SEATTLE is 42-27 ATS (+12.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SEATTLE is 40-26 ATS (+11.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 9-22 ATS (-15.2 Units) as an underdog this season.
PHOENIX is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in home games this season.
PHOENIX is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
PHOENIX is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in home games in August or September games this season.
PHOENIX is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
PHOENIX is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) after a division game this season.
PHOENIX is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
PHOENIX is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHOENIX is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 13-4 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 14-4 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
12 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

TULSA (9 - 24) at INDIANA (21 - 12) - 9/23/2012, 5:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 30-19 ATS (+9.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games this season.
INDIANA is 68-94 ATS (-35.4 Units) against Western conference opponents since 1997.
INDIANA is 68-94 ATS (-35.4 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.

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

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

ATLANTA (19 - 14) at CONNECTICUT (24 - 9) - 9/23/2012, 5:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 15-25 ATS (-12.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in road games in August or September games over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games when playing with 2 days rest since 1997.
ATLANTA is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) after a division game this season.
ATLANTA is 23-8 ATS (+14.2 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 8-5 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 8-5 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




WNBA

Sunday, September 23

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

3:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games
Seattle is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 7 games
Phoenix is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

3:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing San Antonio
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 7 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games

5:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. CONNECTICUT
Atlanta is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Connecticut
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Connecticut
Connecticut is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Connecticut is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home

5:00 PM
TULSA vs. INDIANA
Tulsa is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Tulsa's last 12 games
Indiana is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday, September 23

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Seattle - 3:00 PM ET Phoenix +7.5 500
Phoenix - Over 155.5 500

Minnesota - 3:00 PM ET Minnesota -2.5 500
San Antonio - Under 163.5 500

Atlanta - 5:00 PM ET Atlanta +4 500
Connecticut - Over 160 500

Tulsa - 5:00 PM ET Indiana -7.5 500
Indiana - Under 153 500

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Playoffs odds: Lynx big faves to win title

The WNBA Playoffs kick off Thursday, with two games on the postseason schedule.

The New York Liberty take on the Connecticut Sun (-10.5) while the San Antonio Silver Stars visit the Los Angeles Sparks (-7.5). Friday’s slate includes the Atlanta Dream facing the Indiana Fever (-5) and Seattle Storm traveling to the Minnesota Lynx (-12).

Online sportsbook BetOnline.com has set the top-seeded Lynx as the favorites to win the WNBA Championship, pricing Minnesota at -200. Connecticut is the favorite out of the Eastern Conference, set at +325. Here’s the full list of WNBA futures odds:

Atlanta Dream +2,500
Connecticut Sun +325
Indiana Fever +2,000
Los Angeles Sparks +550
Minnesota Lynx -200
New York Liberty +6,600
San Antonio Silver Stars +3,000
Seattle Storm +8,000

BetOnline.com also has series prices available for the best-of-three opening round of the WNBA Playoffs, listed below:

New York Liberty (+550) vs. Connecticut Sun (-710)
Atlanta Dream (+140) vs. Indiana Fever (-160)
San Antonio Silver Stars (+280) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (-330)
Seattle Storm (+800) vs. Minnesota Lynx (-1,100)

[StarDust Bum]

Mechelle & Michelle: WNBA Playoff Preview - ESPN Video - ESPN

[StarDust Bum]

Lynx are heavy playoff favorites

How big a favorite is Minnesota to repeat as WNBA champion? Let's put it this way: After finishing first in the Western Conference again with the league's best record, the Lynx are very, very hard to pick against.



With two MVP candidates in Olympians Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus, a third London Games gold medalist in point guard Lindsay Whalen, an experienced front line and a bench that understands and fulfills its role … there isn't a weak spot to attack when facing Minnesota.



And history leans toward the Lynx in this way: The team with the best regular-season mark has won nine of the 15 previous WNBA championships, including for the past three years.



As for a true dark horse taking the title? That really hasn't happened. Five of the other six champions either had the second best record or tied for it. Only one WNBA champion -- Detroit in 2006 -- took the title after compiling the third best record.



As they did last year, the Lynx in 2012 finished 27-7, two games better than Eastern Conference first-place team Connecticut (25-9). The Lynx have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, and they are 16-1 at the Target Center this year.



Admittedly, Minnesota has lost three times in September, including a 99-84 defeat Sunday at San Antonio to conclude the regular season. But considering how in control the Lynx have seemed since the season resumed in August following the Olympic Summer Games, the losses seem more like fairly inconsequential hiccups than danger signs.



That said, coach Cheryl Reeve has been vigilant all season about making sure the Lynx weren't losing their edge. There's no way to replicate the same hunger as last year, when Minnesota ended the frustration of a beleaguered franchise. But the Lynx have a different kind of motivation this year, because repeating would put them on rare WNBA ground, too.



The now-defunct Houston Comets won the WNBA's first four titles, and Los Angeles took the next two. But since the Sparks' 2001-'02 championships, no WNBA team has repeated as champion.



For Minnesota to do it a decade later might require going through the Sparks, but first things first: The Lynx open the playoffs against Seattle. The Storm competitively have been all over the map this season, in large part because stalwart Lauren Jackson wasn't with the team until after the Olympics.



The Storm started this season 1-7, and have had two four-game losing streaks. They are 5-4 in September. Seattle finished 16-18, although that was still very comfortably ahead of fifth-place Tulsa, which will join Phoenix, Washington and Chicago in the draft lottery Wednesday ("SportsCenter," 6 p.m. ET).



But could Seattle push Minnesota in the first round? It's possible, because when the Storm have clicked this season, they've been a good team. When they haven't, though, they've been offensively stagnant.



Seattle averaged 71.2 points, second-to-last in the league. Only woeful Washington, which had the worst record in the WNBA this season (5-29), averaged fewer points (68.6) than the Storm. Which means for Seattle to have a chance against Minnesota, which averaged a league-best 86 points, the Storm must dictate the pace.



That's especially difficult to do against Minnesota because the Lynx have so many methods of beating teams. Including Moore, who has been very good all season but has had a sizzling September in which she has averaged 19.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in nine games.



If Minnesota-Seattle seems like an uphill battle for the Storm, the other Western Conference semifinal appears to be more evenly matched. Los Angeles, which finished second in the West at 24-10, takes on third-place San Antonio, which finished 21-13.



Both the Sparks and the Silver Stars finished the regular season with victories over Minnesota; L.A. did it Thursday and San Antonio on Sunday. The quirks of the WNBA schedule gave the Sparks a rest; they concluded their season earlier than the other 11 teams, which finished over the weekend.



Both San Antonio (12 in a row) and Los Angeles (nine in a row) have had significant winning streaks this season. But they've also had their lulls since the Olympic break, with the Silver Stars losing five straight at one point and the Sparks losing four of five.



San Antonio won the season series with L.A. 3-1, but those three victories were all in June. In their only post-Olympics matchup, the Sparks dominated the Silver Stars in a 101-77 victory in L.A. on Aug. 23.



L.A. and San Antonio last met in the playoffs in 2008, when the Sparks' Candace Parker was both MVP and rookie of the year. The Silver Stars won their Western Conference finals series 2-1 after a season-saving buzzer-beater by Sophia Young in Game 2 that's still one of the WNBA's all-time highlights.



The Sparks, who'd won the opening game of that series and were 1.7 seconds away from heading to the WNBA Finals, then lost in the West finals again in 2009. In 2010, they fell in the first round, and they didn't make the playoffs last year. That put L.A. in the lottery, which turned out exceptionally well as the Sparks got the No. 1 pick of the 2012 draft, Stanford forward Nneka Ogwumike.



Having averaged 14.0 points and 7.5 rebounds, Ogwumike is a lock to be the league's rookie of the year, joining Parker as the only L.A. players to earn that honor. Another likely award-winner is guard Kristi Toliver, who's a strong favorite for most improved player after leading the Sparks in scoring (17.5 ppg) and assists (4.9).



For her part, Parker is an MVP candidate, averaging 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds, while leading the league in blocked shots with 76.



If there were a comeback player of the year award, it would go to guard Alana Beard, who came to the Sparks as a free agent from Washington after missing the past two seasons with ankle issues. Beard was very durable and productive this season, averaging 30.8 minutes, 11.4 points and 3.3 assists in 33 games.



If there's a sentimental favorite team from the West, though, it's probably San Antonio. Many fans would enjoy seeing Becky Hammon and Young -- who are in their sixth season together as the heart of the Silver Stars -- get their first WNBA title.



Meanwhile in the East, Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas are another duo who are also fan favorites in regard to finally getting a league championship. The Indiana stars, who have been teammates for five seasons, both turned 33 years old this year and continue to be two of the best players in the WNBA.



Catchings, who won the regular-season MVP award last year, is in contention again in 2012 after averaging 17.4 points and 7.6 rebounds. Douglas averaged 16.5 points and 3.8 rebounds.



The Fever open the playoffs against Atlanta, the team that beat Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals last year. Indiana has had a no-drama season thus far, while the Dream have had anything but that.



Even so, Atlanta still finished third in the East at 19-15, comfortably making the playoffs for the fourth season in a row. This despite the upheaval on Aug. 27, as the team stood 12-12, when coach and general manager Marynell Meadors was fired after Dream star Angel McCoughtry didn't play for two games in what appeared to be some kind of power struggle.



Assistant coach Fred Williams took over, McCoughtry was suspended two games, and since then the Dream have played pretty well. They've gone 7-3 under Williams, and McCoughtry won the regular-season scoring title at 21.4 points per game.



The Dream might not be the most cohesive unit, but that's nothing new. It hasn't stopped them from making the WNBA Finals the past two years despite finishing fourth in the East in 2010 and third in 2011.



Can Connecticut reach that summit this year? The Sun have one of the front-runners for MVP in center Tina Charles (18 ppg, 10.5 rpg). The 2010 rookie of the year, Charles could become the second player to win an Olympic gold medal, the WNBA MVP and the league championship in the same year. Sheryl Swoopes did that with Team USA and Houston in 2000.



But the Sun actually haven't won a playoff series at all since 2006, and the only player from then who's still with Connecticut is forward Asjha Jones. An Olympian this summer, Jones recently returned to the Sun's lineup after missing 14 games with an Achilles injury.



Along with Charles, the Sun's other consistent sparkplug has been guard Kara Lawson. At age 31, she has had the best season of her WNBA career, averaging 15.1 points and 4.0 assists while making 43 percent of her 3-point attempts (74-of-172).



The Sun open the playoffs against New York, which went just 1-4 against Connecticut this season. The Liberty finished 15-19, beating out 14-20 Chicago for the East's final postseason spot.



There is no team in the Eastern Conference that has actually ever won a WNBA title; the last East team to be champion was the Detroit Shock, who relocated to Tulsa after the 2009 season.



All this summer, more attention has been focused on the Western Conference, with the spotlight particularly on Minnesota's repeat quest. Now, that begins in earnest, and the Lynx know they'll be getting every foe's best shot.



That probably won't matter, though, if the Lynx are at their best, too.

[StarDust Bum]

Storm face uphill climb against Lynx

Best-of-three series opens in Minnesota on Friday (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET)


On paper, this should be an intriguing matchup between the league's last two champions. But on the court, it might be something less.



The defending champion Lynx (27-7) will be the overwhelming favorite in this series with the league's best record and most consistent play.





Seattle, which is in the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year (a league record), never found its rhythm this summer but enters the postseason on a high note with three straight wins. Both Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson have missed games in the stretch run, taking time off to rest and heal injuries before the playoffs.



In the meantime, Minnesota's stars -- Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore -- will make this an uphill climb for the Storm, especially with Minnesota's home-court advantage.



Key to the series



Moore: The second-year forward out of Connecticut has quickly turned into the league's brightest young talent, scoring at least 20 points in eight games this season. She has been one of the hottest scorers in the league over the stretch run. Last season's WNBA rookie of the year no longer lays back to play a role; she is now a go-to player for the Lynx.



Bottom line



Minnesota wins if the depth carries the day. The Lynx have it and have been blessed much of the season with good health among their key players.



Seattle wins if Jackson shakes off her post-Olympic struggles, aches and pains and comes up very big inside.




Who wins?



Michelle Smith: Lynx in three games. The Lynx are 16-1 at home this season and are simply the better team this year.



Mechelle Voepel: Lynx in three games. Minnesota is the clear favorite to win the WNBA title again this year, but a scrappy Storm team might force the Lynx to win this series in three games.





PLAYOFF SCHEDULE: (1) LYNX VS. (4) STORM




Date

Matchup

Tip (TV)




Friday, Sept. 28

Game 1: Seattle at Minnesota


9 p.m. (ESPN2)



Sunday, Sept. 30

Game 2: Minnesota at Seattle


9 p.m. (ESPN)



Tuesday, Oct. 2

Game 3*: Seattle at Minnesota


TBD (ESPN2)



* If necessary

[StarDust Bum]

Liberty have no answer for Charles

Best-of-three series opens at Mohegan Sun on Thursday (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET)


Connecticut takes its shot at a WNBA title as the best team in the Eastern Conference against an inconsistent New York squad that backed its way into the WNBA playoffs.





The Sun -- who, at 25-9, won their most regular-season games since 26 victories in 2005 and 2006 -- have great inside-outside play and are now at full strength with the return of Asjha Jones to the lineup. The 6-foot-3 forward, a member of Team USA in the London Olympics, missed 14 games with a strained Achilles tendon after the Olympic break.



New York (15-19), the last team to clinch a playoff spot, closed a disappointing regular season Saturday with a win over Tulsa. The Liberty's 9-8 record at home doesn't inspire confidence.



Key to the series



Defending Tina Charles: New York has star power in guard Cappie Pondexter (third in the league in scoring with 20.4 ppg), but the Liberty don't have as much talent in the post to counter MVP candidate Charles.


Bottom line



Connecticut wins if the Sun can continue to pair the superior inside play of Charles -- who set the league record for single-season rebounding (345) in 2012 -- with the perimeter shooting of Kara Lawson -- who set the franchise record with 74 3-pointers this season.



New York wins if Pondexter gets a big supporting performance from somebody like veteran Nicole Powell, who had some big games in the final week of the season.



Who wins?



Michelle Smith: Sun in three games. New York has been too inconsistent this season to beat a complete Sun squad in a short series.


Mechelle Voepel: Sun in two games. Connecticut, which won the season series 4-1, is competing well going into the playoffs and is helped by having Asjha Jones back for however long she can play, even if she's not 100 percent.








PLAYOFF SCHEDULE: (1) SUN VS. (4) LIBERTY





Date

Matchup

Tip (TV)




Thursday, Sept. 27

Game 1: New York at Connecticut


8 p.m. (ESPN2)



Saturday, Sept. 29

Game 2: Connecticut at New York


7 p.m. (NBA TV)



Monday, Oct. 1

Game 3*: New York at Connecticut


7 p.m. (NBA TV)



* If necessary









REGULAR-SEASON RECAP




Date

Recap

Notable




May 19

Connecticut 78, at New York 73

Tina Charles, one of four Sun players in double figures, had 19 points and 13 rebounds



May 20

At Connecticut 92, New York 77

Tina Charles tallied 25 points and 11 boards, while Asjha Jones added 20 points and 8 rebounds



June 15

At Connecticut 97, New York 55

The Liberty suffered their worst loss in franchise history, while the Sun's 61-27 edge set the league mark for largest halftime lead



Aug. 16

At New York 79, Connecticut 66

Cappie Pondexter tallied 24 points, 5 assists and 5 steals



Aug. 18

At Connecticut 85, New York 74

After just 4 points in the loss two days earlier, Tina Charles played the entire first half and ended with 23 points and 9 boards

[StarDust Bum]

Silver Stars cooling at wrong time

Best-of-three series opens in Los Angeles on Thursday (ESPN2, 10 p.m. ET)


Both of these teams had hot streaks during the course of the season, Los Angeles reeling off nine straight wins at one point and San Antonio collecting 12 victories in a row.



But the Silver Stars cooled considerably in the final month of the regular season, losing eight of their final 13 games heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, Los Angeles seems to have found its way again. The Sparks have won 10 consecutive home games, four straight to close the regular season, and are getting stellar play at all positions, particularly inside from Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike.





San Antonio got a very good regular season from Sophia Young, and coach Dan Hughes made the most of his combinations on the floor, including his decision to start Jayne Appel and bring Danielle Adams off the bench for scoring punch. But the Silver Stars hit a skid in the second half, including a run of six losses in seven games, that makes them look vulnerable against a Los Angeles team that didn't have nearly as big a rough patch.



Los Angeles also has the benefit of rest, having wrapped its season Thursday, while the Silver Stars' finale was Sunday.



Key to the series



Parker: The Sparks superstar has regained her early-season form, when she was the most versatile and toughest player to guard in the WNBA. She finished the last three games of the regular season with a combined 71 points and 33 rebounds.



Bottom line



Los Angeles wins if Kristi Toliver is running hot on the perimeter, because the Sparks don't have any trouble scoring in the paint.



San Antonio wins if the Silver Stars can hold down L.A.'s offense. San Antonio allows opponents to shoot 43.2 percent per game, the highest percentage among playoff teams.



Who wins?



Michelle Smith: Sparks in three games. The Sparks are versatile and multidimensional with the strong backcourt play of Toliver and the rejuvenated Alana Beard.



Mechelle Voepel: Sparks in three games. The Silver Stars won the season series 3-1, but the three wins were before the Olympic break and the Sparks -- 16-1 at home this season -- have the home-court advantage in this playoff matchup.








PLAYOFF SCHEDULE: (2) SPARKS VS. (3) SILVER STARS




Date

Matchup

Tip (TV)




Thursday, Sept. 27

Game 1: San Antonio at Los Angeles


10 p.m. (ESPN2)



Saturday, Sept. 29

Game 2: Los Angeles at San Antonio


3 p.m. (NBA TV)



Monday, Oct. 1

Game 3*: San Antonio at Los Angeles


10:30 p.m. (NBA TV)



* If necessary









REGULAR-SEASON RECAP





Date

Recap

Notable




June 16

At San Antonio 98, Los Angeles 85 OT

Sophia Young and Becky Hammon each scored 24 points, combining for 11 in the extra period



June 24

San Antonio 91, at Los Angeles 71

It was the Sparks' only loss at home during the regular season



June 28

At San Antonio 94, Los Angeles 80

Five players scored in double figures for San Antonio, which overcame 25 points from Candace Parker



Aug. 23

At Los Angeles 101, San Antonio 77

Kristi Toliver nailed 6 of 7 3-point attempts en route to 29 points

[StarDust Bum]

Defense will determine East semifinal

Best-of-three series opens in Indiana on Friday (ESPN2, 7 p.m. ET)

The Dream, who have been to consecutive WNBA Finals but have no title to show for it, ride a four-game win streak (and seven wins in nine games) into the playoffs. Atlanta seems to have found its groove in the final weeks of the regular season despite a serious spate of drama in August, when coach Marynell Meadors was dismissed and star Angel McCoughtry, the WNBA's leading scorer, was briefly suspended.




There's been no such excitement in Indiana, where the veteran Fever -- led by Tamika Catchings -- make their eighth consecutive trip to the playoffs. The steady Fever lost three in a row before winning consecutive games to close the regular season and match the franchise record for regular-season victories with 22.



The biggest concern for Indiana is the health of two key backcourt players -- Shavonte Zellous and Briann January -- who suffered head injuries in a Sept. 17 game and haven't played since.



The Fever have the home-court advantage in this series and have played well at Bankers Life Fieldhouse this season with a 12-4 mark.




Key to the series



The play of Sancho Lyttle and Lindsey Harding: If these two players -- who have been consistent and steady through a tumultuous year -- play big, the Dream will be a serious threat to return to the Finals.



Bottom line



Indiana will win if Zellous and January are healthy and ready to run the backcourt. Their absence would be a huge blow.



Atlanta will win if it can play defense. The Dream have given up more than 80 points only twice since September began -- and they lost both games.



Who wins?



Michelle Smith: Dream in three games. Despite all the drama in Atlanta this year, the Dream seem to know how to win in the postseason.



Mechelle Voepel: Fever in three games. The rematch of last year's Eastern Conference finals should go to the Fever if they are healthy, but the series likely will be very close and decided by whether Indiana plays defensively as well as it hopes.






PLAYOFF SCHEDULE: (2) FEVER VS. (3) DREAM






Date

Matchup

Tip (TV)




Friday, Sept. 28

Game 1: Atlanta at Indiana


7 p.m. (ESPN2)



Sunday, Sept. 30

Game 2: Indiana at Atlanta


4 p.m. (ESPN2)



Tuesday, Oct. 2

Game 3*: Atlanta at Indiana


TBD (TBD)



* If necessary









REGULAR-SEASON RECAP




Date

Recap

Notable




May 19

At Indiana 92, Atlanta 84

Indiana put five in double figures and hit 12 of 21 3-pointers and 20 of 24 free throws



May 27

Indiana 78, at Atlanta 62

Tamika Catchings tallied 25 points and 12 rebounds, scoring 17 points in the third quarter



June 26

At Atlanta 70, Indiana 58

The Dream won consecutive games for the first time this season



Aug. 18

At Indiana 86, Atlanta 72

Katie Douglas scored 29 points, hitting 7 of 9 3-point attempts



Sept. 5

At Atlanta 71, Indiana 64

Lindsey Harding scored 12 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Dream rallied to win

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday, September 27

Game Score Status Pick Amount

New York - 8:00 PM ET Connecticut -10 500
Connecticut - Under 154 500

San Antonio - 10:00 PM ET San Antonio +7 500
Los Angeles - Over 163.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

San Antonio at Los Angeles
The Silver Stars look to build on their 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 games between the two teams. San Antonio is the pick (+7) according to Dunkel, which has the Sparks favored by only 5. Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+7). Here are all of today's picks

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Game 651-652: New York at Connecticut (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New York 105.657; Connecticut 118.945
Dunkel Line & Total: Connecticut by 13 1/2; 150
Vegas Line & Total: Connecticut by 9 1/2; 154 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-9 1/2); Under

Game 653-654: San Antonio at Los Angeles (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 114.624; Los Angeles 119.447
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 5; 168
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 7; 164
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+7); Over




WNBA

Thursday, September 27

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

8:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. CONNECTICUT
New York is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
New York is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Connecticut
Connecticut is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Connecticut's last 6 games when playing New York

10:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. LOS ANGELES
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
San Antonio is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Los Angeles is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games


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




WNBA

Thursday, September 27

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WNBA Playoffs odds: Lynx big faves to win title
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The WNBA Playoffs kick off Thursday, with two games on the postseason schedule.

The New York Liberty take on the Connecticut Sun (-10.5) while the San Antonio Silver Stars visit the Los Angeles Sparks (-7.5). Friday’s slate includes the Atlanta Dream facing the Indiana Fever (-5) and Seattle Storm traveling to the Minnesota Lynx (-12).

Online sportsbook BetOnline.com has set the top-seeded Lynx as the favorites to win the WNBA Championship, pricing Minnesota at -200. Connecticut is the favorite out of the Eastern Conference, set at +325. Here’s the full list of WNBA futures odds:

Atlanta Dream +2,500
Connecticut Sun +325
Indiana Fever +2,000
Los Angeles Sparks +550
Minnesota Lynx -200
New York Liberty +6,600
San Antonio Silver Stars +3,000
Seattle Storm +8,000

BetOnline.com also has series prices available for the best-of-three opening round of the WNBA Playoffs, listed below:

New York Liberty (+550) vs. Connecticut Sun (-710)
Atlanta Dream (+140) vs. Indiana Fever (-160)
San Antonio Silver Stars (+280) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (-330)
Seattle Storm (+800) vs. Minnesota Lynx (-1,100)

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, September 27

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

NEW YORK (15 - 19) at CONNECTICUT (25 - 9) - 9/27/2012, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 49-31 ATS (+14.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.
CONNECTICUT is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
CONNECTICUT is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 9-5 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 8-6 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

SAN ANTONIO (21 - 13) at LOS ANGELES (24 - 10) - 9/27/2012, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 37-21 ATS (+13.9 Units) in home games when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) after a division game this season.
LOS ANGELES is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more this season.
LOS ANGELES is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LOS ANGELES is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 12-5 ATS (+6.5 Units) in road games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) after a division game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in road games after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 23-39 ATS (-19.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 27-42 ATS (-19.2 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 9-3 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 9-3 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Atlanta at Indiana
The Dream look to take advantage of an Indiana team that is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games against a team with a winning record. Atlanta is the pick (+4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Fever favored by only 2. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+4 1/2). Here are all of today's picks

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Game 655-656: Atlanta at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 115.718; Indiana 117.660
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 2; 157
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 4 1/2; 154
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+4 1/2); Over

Game 657-658: Seattle at Minnesota (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 106.611; Minnesota 122.752
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 16; 145
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 11; 150
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-11); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, September 28

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

ATLANTA (19 - 15) at INDIANA (22 - 12) - 9/28/2012, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest this season.
ATLANTA is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) after a division game this season.
INDIANA is 54-84 ATS (-38.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 11-6 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 10-7 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

SEATTLE (16 - 18) at MINNESOTA (27 - 7) - 9/28/2012, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in road games when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
SEATTLE is 54-80 ATS (-34.0 Units) in road games after a division game since 1997.
SEATTLE is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 45-30 ATS (+12.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home games in August or September games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 36-25 ATS (+8.5 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 43-27 ATS (+13.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 10-2 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 7-5 straight up against SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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




WNBA

Friday, September 28

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

7:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. INDIANA
Atlanta is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing Atlanta

9:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing at home against Seattle
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Seattle