Da Bum's 2013 WNBA Best Bets + News,Stats Etc. !!

[StarDust Bum]

Friday, July 19

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Washington - 7:00 PM ET Indiana -5 500 POD # 1

Indiana - Under 145 500 POD # 5

Minnesota - 8:00 PM ET Minnesota -10.5 500 POD # 3

San Antonio - Over 159 500 POD # 6

Connecticut - 8:00 PM ET Tulsa -2.5 500 POD # 2

Tulsa - Over 157.5 500 POD # 4

[StarDust Bum]

Liberty-Sky Preview

Posted Jul 19 2013 6:02PM

The Chicago Sky didn't have Sylvia Fowles when they visited the Liberty earlier this week, but it turns out they barely missed the league's leading rebounder.

They haven't needed much more than Elena Delle Donne this season against New York.

With their star rookie leading the way to three easy wins over the Liberty in the past month, the Sky should feel confident again when they finish a home-and-home set with visiting New York on Saturday night.

Delle Donne's arrival seems to have sparked a culture change for Chicago (11-4), which has failed to make the playoffs in any of its seven seasons and never even finished .500.

Both of those benchmarks appear to be a given at this point. With Fowles sitting with a right ankle sprain Thursday at New York, Delle Donne scored 23 points and had four blocks as the Sky built a 25-point first-quarter lead and cruised to a 75-55 win.

"Last year the focus was we have to make the playoffs," said forward Swin Cash, the only member of Chicago's roster to have played significant minutes in the postseason. "This year it's 'We're making the playoffs and we'll see what happens after that.' We know what we want at the end."

Delle Donne, the top vote getter for the league's July 27 All-Star game, has the look of someone who can help get them there. She's averaging 19.4 points, easily the most among rookies and among the league's top five overall.

Delle Donne had 10 points in the first seven minutes Thursday, and Chicago scored the game's first 13 points.

"That was huge," coach Pokey Chatman said. "I always talk about punching first. We say that as a coach."

Anything New York coach Bill Laimbeer has to say to his team before Saturday's rematch likely will be geared around stopping Delle Donne. She's scored at least 20 points in all three meetings with the Liberty (6-9) as the Sky have won by an average of 20.7 points.

As they always seem to be with New York, the league's most turnover-prone team, miscues have played a big role in the outcome. The Liberty have a minus-26 turnover differential in the three losses to Chicago.

In Laimbeer's mind, a lack of focus seems to be as telling as anything about his team's struggles. The game was essentially over midway through the first quarter Thursday, and New York was outscored 31-6 by Indiana in the third quarter last Saturday after trailing by three at halftime.

"We have an issue where we have a quarter where we blank out," Laimbeer said. "Same thing that's happened to us the last five games."

Even if Fowles, who's questionable, sits again, the Liberty should have their hands full if Cappie Pondexter can't figure out her offensive issues. Named this week as a starter for her fifth All-Star game, Pondexter went 2 for 11 and had seven turnovers Thursday. She's shooting 21.9 percent over her last three games.

[StarDust Bum]

Sun-Silver Stars Preview

Posted Jul 20 2013 12:40AM

The Connecticut Sun haven't earned too many wins lately, but they managed to get past the San Antonio Silver Stars last weekend.

After dropping the opener of their three-game road trip, the Sun will try to bounce back with a fourth consecutive victory over the scuffling Silver Stars on Saturday night.

Connecticut (4-10) scored its fewest points this season in its 10th loss in 13 games, 64-58 to Tulsa on Friday. The Sun shot 29.2 percent and were 4 of 16 from 3-point range in falling to 1-5 on the road.

Tina Charles missed 11 of her 13 shots en route to scoring just seven points, matching her lowest output this season.

"They made it tough on Tina inside," coach Anne Donovan said. "We did not support her from the perimeter."

Connecticut had one of its best offensive performances in an 86-84 comeback win over San Antonio on Sunday. The Sun trailed by eight with 7:39 remaining before going on a 17-4 run.

Allison Hightower had 10 of her career-best 23 points in the final seven minutes, while Charles scored eight of her 20.

The Sun will have a little more depth for this matchup as Renee Montgomery and Tan White returned from injuries.

San Antonio (4-12) has dropped 11 of 13 and a season high-tying four straight, losing 87-71 to Minnesota on Friday. The Silver Stars gave up at least 80 points for the eighth consecutive time while suffering their fourth home loss in a row.

With top players Becky Hammon and Sophia Young out for the season because of knee injuries, San Antonio can hardly afford such defensive lapses. The Silver Stars might also be without DeLisha Milton-Jones, who hurt her right knee late in the first half Friday.

The veteran forward was seen on crutches after the game.

"It's a major struggle. I honestly don't even know what to say. We just have to come together as a team and keep believing," said guard Jia Perkins, who had a season-high 23 points Sunday.

Even with Hammon and Young in the lineup, the Silver Stars fell 84-73 to the Sun on Aug. 30 for their first home loss in the series in three years. Connecticut shot 36.4 percent but had five players score in double figures, with Charles leading the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

[StarDust Bum]

Sparks-Storm Preview

Posted Jul 19 2013 6:52PM

The Los Angeles Sparks' lengthy home winning streak is over.

They'll get plenty of opportunities to improve their road record over the next three weeks.

Los Angeles goes for an eighth consecutive victory over the Seattle Storm on Saturday night in the first of a home-and-home set.

Looking to extend their 19-game home winning streak - and record a seventh consecutive victory overall - the Sparks (11-5) fell 90-84 to Phoenix on Thursday.

All-Star starter Candace Parker's 25 points and 16 rebounds weren't enough as Los Angeles was handed its first regular-season home defeat since June 24, 2012, against San Antonio.

"I think that we just didn't come ready to play on this day,'' second-year forward Nneka Ogwumike said after scoring 14 points with nine boards. "We didn't even play well (Wednesday) and we won (77-73 over Atlanta).

"... Before the game, coach (Carol Ross) mentioned that we established that we were road warriors. Now we have to be warriors.''

The Sparks, who host the Storm (6-9) on Thursday before kicking off a five-game trip after the All-Star break, have won their last two on the road since opening 0-4 outside Los Angeles.

They're also undefeated in this series since a 65-63 loss at Seattle on Aug. 28, 2011, after routing the visiting Storm 102-69 in their season opener May 26. Kristi Toliver's 17 points led six Sparks in double-figures as Los Angeles recorded its second-most points and most lopsided victory in team history.

The Storm are trying to shake off another one-sided defeat, 86-59 to league-worst Tulsa on Wednesday. Three of the Shock's first four wins came against Seattle.

"I'm at a loss for words," Tanisha Wright told the Storm's official website. "We understand that this was a game we needed to win, especially when it comes down to playoffs. This may be who we're fighting against to get in.

"But we can't worry about that now. We just have to worry about taking care of ourselves."

Coach Brian Agler knows the Storm have plenty to worry about on the defensive end with back-to-back games against a Sparks team averaging 85.1 points on 48.4 percent shooting - both league highs.

"You have to learn from your wins and losses and find a way to get better," he said. "But you also have to forget about your last game and get ready for the next one."

Camille Little, the Storm leader with 11.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, finished with a team-best 13 points in the season-opening loss at Los Angeles.

Wright and Temeka Johnson each chipped in with 11 points, while former Spark Tina Thompson had nine while setting the WNBA record for starts with 437.

Los Angeles won 82-71 in its last visit to Seattle on Aug. 18 to cap off the five-game season sweep.

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

07/19/13 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*150 Detail
07/18/13 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail
07/17/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
07/16/13 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*50 Detail
07/14/13 4-*2-*0 66.67% +*900 Detail
07/13/13 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
07/12/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
07/11/13 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
07/10/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
07/09/13 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
07/07/13 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
07/06/13 6-*0-*0 100.00% +*3000 Detail
07/04/13 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail
07/02/13 5-*3-*0 62.50% +*850 Detail

Totals 35-*25-*0 58.33% +3750


Saturday, July 20

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Connecticut - 8:00 PM ET Connecticut +1 500 POD # 3

San Antonio - Under 158.5 500 POD # 4

New York - 8:00 PM ET Chicago -11 500 POD # 1

Chicago - Over 147.5 500 POD # 2

Los Angeles - 10:00 PM ET Seattle +7.5 500 POD # 5

Seattle - Under 149.5 500 POD # 6

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Connecticut at San Antonio
The Sun look to take advantage of a San Antonio team that is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 home games. Connecticut is the pick (+2) according to Dunkel, which has the Sun favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+2). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, JULY 20

Game 651-652: Connecticut at San Antonio (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 108.324; San Antonio 107.483
Dunkel Line & Total: Connecticut by 1; 162
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 2; 158
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+2); Over

Game 653-654: New York at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New York 104.003; Chicago 119.981
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 16; 144
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 11; 149 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-11); Under

Game 655-656: Los Angeles at Seattle (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 115.095; Seattle 112.790
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 2 1/2; 147
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 7 1/2; 150
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+7 1/2); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, July 20

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CONNECTICUT (4 - 10) at SAN ANTONIO (4 - 12) - 7/20/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) in road games when playing on back-to-back days since 1997.

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

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NEW YORK (6 - 9) at CHICAGO (11 - 4) - 7/20/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 50-31 ATS (+15.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 7-5 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 7-5 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LOS ANGELES (11 - 5) at SEATTLE (6 - 9) - 7/20/2013, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 94-63 ATS (+24.7 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 8-2 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 8-2 straight up against SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Saturday, July 20

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. CHICAGO
New York is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
New York is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home

8:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. SAN ANTONIO
Connecticut is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Connecticut's last 5 games on the road
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 7 games at home

10:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Los Angeles's last 24 games on the road
Los Angeles is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Seattle is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
Seattle is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Los Angeles

[StarDust Bum]

Fever-Mystics Preview

Posted Jul 20 2013 1:44PM

Finally healthy and playing with some confidence, the defending WNBA champions appear to be regaining their elite form.

The Indiana Fever will try for their sixth win in seven games and a sweep of their home-and-home set with the Washington Mystics on Sunday in the nation's capital.

Although injuries derailed them during a 1-7 start, the Fever (6-8) have been resilient by turning things around with five wins in six games since. They've shown tremendous improvement on the offensive end, averaging 73.7 points during their surge after scoring 60.5 per game in their previous four.

The Fever, though, overcame 33.8 percent shooting from the field by going 22 for 23 from the free-throw line in a 77-70 home win over Washington on Friday.

Indiana's starting five from the 2012 finals - Erin Phillips, Briann January, Shavonte Zellous, Tamika Catchings and Erlana Larkins - played together for only the third time this season. The Fever, though are still without star guard Katie Douglas, who has been out since May 31 with a bulging disk in her back.

Zellous, who has scored in double figures in every game, led the way with 16 points against the Mystics,against whom Indiana has won four of the last five. She also had a team-high 17 in a 64-60 loss at Washington on June 16.

Catchings had 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting in that meeting, but she'll be trying to break out of her recent slump in this contest. The forward, averaging 16.3 points, has scored 9.0 per game on 10-of-34 shooting in her last three.

"The WNBA's not a marathon like the NBA," said Indiana coach Lin Dunn, whose team has a chance to move into a virtual third-place tie with the Mystics (8-8). "It's a sprint. Every game is so important. There's really no game that's more important than another."

"But this is a team that we're chasing, they're right above us," she added. "But we're chasing everybody."

Following a season-worst, five-game skid, Washington had won four of five before Friday's defeat. Now the Mystics are hoping to bounce back with their fourth straight home victory.

The Mystics have been much tougher defensively at home, allowing an average of 61.3 points during their winning streak there. They've given up 84.3 per game in their last seven on the road.

After leading Washington with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting in last month's home win, Ivory Latta had a team-best 16 despite missing 7-of-10 shots on Friday.

The Mystics will attempt to limit their miscues after committing 22 turnovers in Indiana. The Fever, who have forced 22 turnovers in each of their last two games, also had 16 offensive rebounds en route to a 36-34 edge overall on the glass.

"The difference was in turnovers and rebounds," Washington coach Mike Thibault said.

[StarDust Bum]

Dream-Shock Preview

Posted Jul 20 2013 5:14PM

The Atlanta Dream appear to have a solid opportunity to get back on track against one of the league's worst teams, though the Tulsa Shock haven't been playing like a bottom feeder lately.

The road-weary Dream hope to avoid their longest losing streak in almost three years Sunday against a Tulsa team looking for its season-best third straight victory.

After a six-game winning streak, Atlanta (10-4) has come up empty on this four-game trip that concludes in Tulsa. As a result of the slide, surging Chicago has caught the Dream atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Playing without Sancho Lyttle (foot) and Tiffany Hayes (knee) because of injuries, the Dream could not end Los Angeles' 19-game home winning streak in Wednesday's 77-73 loss to the Sparks.

Since averaging 81.5 points during its successful stretch, Atlanta has struggled offensively, scoring 70.0 per game on 37.3 percent shooting during its road woes.

"This is just a little adversity to get through the storm," said All-Star starter Angel McCoughtry, who returned from an Achilles injury to score 24 against the Sparks. "We'll be OK. We're still in a good position and we still have a great record."

McCoughtry has certainly been a bright spot for the short-handed Dream, ranking second in the WNBA with 20.2 points per game. She finished with 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting to help Atlanta top visiting Tulsa 98-81 in the season opener.

Lyttle and Hayes combined for 39 points in that victory, but they may not be able to return for this meeting.

Armintie Herrington helped pick up the scoring Friday with a season-high 18 points, while Erika de Souza recorded her third straight double-double with 15 points and 18 rebounds.

The Dream will try to avoid their first four-game losing streak since Aug. 3-13, 2010, and beat Tulsa for the eighth time in nine meetings.

Following a season-worst, six-game skid, the Shock (5-13) tightened things up defensively in wins over Seattle and Connecticut.

Tulsa had allowed 86.7 points per game during its losing streak before holding the Storm and Sun under 60 on 31.8 percent shooting.

While the Shock shot just 33.3 percent from the field, they outrebounded Connecticut 62-39 in a 64-58 victory Friday. Glory Johnson had 14 points and 17 rebounds for her eighth double-double, while Liz Cambage added 13 and 17, respectively.

"We made some plays at times when we were struggling," coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "Those plays got us over the hump. This was a satisfying win for us. We are getting better."

That rebounding effort might be difficult to duplicate against the Dream, who rank among league leaders with a plus-1.57 rebounding margin and held a 41-31 advantage on the glass in the first meeting.

Riquna Williams led Tulsa with 22 points despite missing 12 of 18 shots in that contest. The reserve guard is averaging 19.3 points in her last three games.

[StarDust Bum]

Lynx-Mercury Preview

Posted Jul 20 2013 7:20PM

The Minnesota Lynx will be well-represented at the All-Star game both in the starting five and on the bench. Of greater concern right now, however, is adding to their lead atop the Western Conference.

The Lynx go after their sixth consecutive win Sunday when they open a home-and-home set with the Phoenix Mercury, who also can boast multiple All-Stars.

The two-time reigning Western Conference champions, the Lynx (12-3) have the league's best record and a 3 1/2-game lead on the third-place Mercury (9-7), who also are looking up at Los Angeles in the standings. Minnesota's Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus were among the top vote-getters in the West and will start in the July 27 contest, and with Cheryl Reeve coaching the team, there is a very strong chance Lindsay Whalen will join her teammates in Connecticut.

The Lynx have a chance to sweep their four-game road swing after rolling to an 87-71 victory at San Antonio on Friday. Whalen had 11 points and four assists in the first quarter as Minnesota opened a 26-14 lead and were never threatened thereafter. She finished with 21 points and seven assists while Moore added 14 points and eight rebounds as Minnesota improved to 11-0 when scoring more than 80 points.

"Pushing the ball was definitely big for us," said Whalen, who is averaging 16.2 points and a team-high 5.4 assists. "I thought that's what we tried to do the whole night, was just make those plays and play together as a team."

Whalen and her teammates have certainly done that versus Phoenix this year, winning all three games by double-digit margins, including a 91-59 rout in the most recent meeting July 7 when Moore had 23 points and Whalen added 14. Moore has averaged 23.7 points on 48.0 percent shooting in the victories.

Moore's former UConn and future West All-Star teammate Diana Taurasi was held to four in the loss earlier this month but has usually given the Lynx fits. She averaged 23.0 points while making 16 of 30 shots in the other two games and is coming off a strong effort Thursday in which she totaled 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a 90-84 win at Los Angeles that ended a three-game skid and the Sparks' 19-game home winning streak.

``I think it was more important to break our streak of three in a row,'' Taurasi said. ``They're a really, really good team, especially at home. I think it was more of a big thing for us.''

Rookie center and top overall pick Brittney Griner, who also was selected to the All-Star team by the fans, missed her third straight game with a sprained knee and is questionable for this contest. The Mercury have tried to compensate without the 6-8 Griner by utilizing a 1-2-2 zone defense at times to keep opponents off-balance.

"The important part is that we came away with a win," coach Corey Gaines told the team's official website. "We'll continue to work on our defense, our spacing."

The Lynx have won eight straight over the Mercury, including four in a row at Phoenix.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Atlanta at Tulsa
The Dream look to build on their 19-7 ATS record in their last 26 games against teams with a losing SU record. Atlanta is the pick (-6) according to Dunkel, which has the Dream favored by 11 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-6). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, JULY 21

Game 601-602: Indiana at Washington (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 112.734; Washington 115.018
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 2 1/2; 141
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 5; 145
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+5); Under

Game 603-604: Atlanta at Tulsa (4:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 117.375; Tulsa 106.128
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 11 1/2; 163
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 6; 158 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-6); Over

Game 605-606: Minnesota at Phoenix (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 115.705; Phoenix 115.005
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1; 166
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 4 1/2; 171
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+4 1/2); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, July 21

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INDIANA (6 - 8) at WASHINGTON (8 - 8) - 7/21/2013, 4:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 87-125 ATS (-50.5 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
INDIANA is 32-52 ATS (-25.2 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 235-287 ATS (-80.7 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 145-185 ATS (-58.5 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 8-3 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 9-2 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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ATLANTA (10 - 4) at TULSA (5 - 13) - 7/21/2013, 4:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

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

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MINNESOTA (12 - 3) at PHOENIX (9 - 7) - 7/21/2013, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 0-10 ATS (-11.0 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive road games since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 58-41 ATS (+12.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
MINNESOTA is 29-14 ATS (+13.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 16-34 ATS (-21.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 12-27 ATS (-17.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 5-19 ATS (-15.9 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 5-18 ATS (-14.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in July games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 9-23 ATS (-16.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 8-22 ATS (-16.2 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 14-29 ATS (-17.9 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 14-28 ATS (-16.8 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
PHOENIX is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 11-3 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 12-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Sunday, July 21

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Trend Report
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4:00 PM
INDIANA vs. WASHINGTON
Indiana is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Indiana is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games at home
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

4:30 PM
ATLANTA vs. TULSA
Atlanta is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Atlanta's last 16 games when playing Tulsa
Tulsa is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Tulsa is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta

6:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

07/20/13 4-*1-*1 80.00% +*1450 Detail
07/19/13 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*150 Detail
07/18/13 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail
07/17/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
07/16/13 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*50 Detail
07/14/13 4-*2-*0 66.67% +*900 Detail
07/13/13 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
07/12/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
07/11/13 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
07/10/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
07/09/13 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
07/07/13 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
07/06/13 6-*0-*0 100.00% +*3000 Detail
07/04/13 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail
07/02/13 5-*3-*0 62.50% +*850 Detail

Totals 39-*26-*1 60.00% +5200


Sunday, July 21

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Indiana - 4:00 PM ET Indiana +4 500 POD # 4

Washington - Over 145.5 500 POD # 3

Atlanta - 4:30 PM ET Tulsa +6 500 POD # 5

Tulsa - Over 158.5 500 POD # 2

Minnesota - 6:00 PM ET Minnesota -4 500 POD # 1

Phoenix - Under 171 500 POD # 6

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Liberty-Fever Preview


Posted Jul 22 2013 1:33PM

The defending champion Indiana Fever are surging and that's bad news for the New York Liberty.

The Fever have climbed into playoff position ahead of the Liberty, and these teams headed in opposite directions meet Tuesday night in Indianapolis.

Indiana (7-8) has won six of seven following a seven-game slide. The Fever had a 38-29 advantage on the glass and held Washington to 30.9 percent in Sunday's 65-52 road win.

"I feel like our defense and rebounding has been huge for us right now,'' star forward Tamika Catchings said. "That's something we've been known for over the years, our defensive tenacity.''

The Fever's 74-53 rout at New York (6-10) on July 13 is part of this stretch. Indiana gained revenge for a 75-68 overtime defeat to the Liberty on June 5.

New York has stumbled to lose six of seven under first-year coach Bill Laimbeer. The Liberty have dropped into fifth place in the Eastern Conference, 1 1/2 games behind the Fever and Mystics for a playoff berth.

New York fell to 1-6 on the road with Saturday's 80-69 defeat to Chicago. Cappie Pondexter scored a game-high 22 points on 8-of-20 shooting after connecting on 21.9 percent of her attempts over her previous three games.

Now the Liberty will try to avoid their first four-game slide since an 0-4 start in 2012.

One factor behind Indiana's improvement is that the club has had eight different players sit out at least once due to injury. It also initially had trouble adjusting without four-time All-Star Katie Douglas - who has missed the last 13 games with a back injury.

Those days are over now. One example is reserve Layshia Clarendon's 22 points during the Fever's three-game win streak after the rookie wasn't as effective earlier in the year.

"Where we are better is our subs are better than the last time we were here,'' coach Lin Dunn said. "They've played all through this adversity, they've played quality minutes and when they go in, a lot doesn't drop off."

The Liberty average a league-worst 18.4 turnovers while the Fever force a WNBA-best 17.7 per game.

That was a factor in the last meeting as Indiana forced 22 turnovers and took control of the contest by outscoring New York 31-6 in the third quarter.

Catchings, who ranks second in the league with 3.2 steals per game, posted her second double-double with 23 points and 10 boards Sunday.

The Fever have won the last five home matchups, including two in the 2011 playoffs.

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Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

07/21/13 4-*2-*0 66.67% +*900 Detail
07/20/13 4-*1-*1 80.00% +*1450 Detail
07/19/13 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*150 Detail
07/18/13 2-*0-*0 100.00% +*1000 Detail
07/17/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
07/16/13 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*50 Detail
07/14/13 4-*2-*0 66.67% +*900 Detail
07/13/13 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
07/12/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
07/11/13 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
07/10/13 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
07/09/13 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
07/07/13 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
07/06/13 6-*0-*0 100.00% +*3000 Detail
07/04/13 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail
07/02/13 5-*3-*0 62.50% +*850 Detail

Totals 43-*28-*1 60.56% +6100


Tuesday, July 23

Game Score Status Pick Amount

New York - 7:00 PM ET Indiana -7.5 500 POD # 2

Indiana - Under 138 500 POD # 1

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Sky-Mystics Preview

Posted Jul 23 2013 5:08PM

The Chicago Sky have climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference with their longest winning streak of the season.

Extending it seems likely with a matchup against a Washington team they have dominated in recent years.

Chicago aims for an 11th win in 12 meetings with the Mystics as it hits the road Wednesday for its final game before the All-Star break.

Outscoring opponents by an average of 15.4 points during a five-game win streak, coupled with Atlanta's four-game skid, has given the Sky (12-4) a 1 1/2-game lead in the East. They took an 80-69 home victory over New York on Saturday with Sylvia Fowles recording 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Fowles, the league's leading rebounder at 11.9 per game, missed a 75-55 win at New York two days earlier due to a sprained right ankle.

"Honestly, we're making progress. We're making progress," Fowles said after recording her seventh double-double. "I've been told that it's something that's going to bother me for a while because it's a bone bruise but (I) pretty much have to go with the flow and go from there."

Saturday's win came despite a season-low seven points from rookie star Elena Delle Donne, who was 2 of 8 from the field. The All-Star Game's leading vote-getter was subject to frequent double teams and ball-denial defense.

"Wins are all that matters," said Delle Donne, one of the league's leaders in scoring and blocks at 18.6 and 1.9, respectively. "I said it earlier, if I have to play decoy and they want to deny like that, then I will play decoy the rest of the season and we'll get wins. I'm very happy with getting that win and showing some toughness in the second half and gritting it out on defense."

Delle Donne scored 18 in an 89-85 home win over the Mystics (8-9) on July 10, while Fowles finished with a season-high 26 points on 12-of-17 shooting to go with 18 rebounds, including a career-high 10 on the offensive end.

Crystal Langhorne led Washington with 18 points but was held scoreless on five shots in Sunday's 65-52 home loss to Indiana, the Mystics' second defeat to the Fever in three days. Langhorne's 21 minutes matched a season low, something coach Mike Thibault said she "earned." She entered the game averaging 13.6 points.

The Mystics were 2 for 13 while being outscored 22-7 in the second quarter and shot 30.9 percent for the game en route to their lowest scoring output of the season.

"I was just embarrassed by the way we played," Thibault said. "We missed 38 shots tonight and got four offensive rebounds. That's terrible. You should never play that way."

Thibault's group will likely be pressed again on the glass, as Chicago's plus-5.9 rebounding margin is one of the WNBA's best.

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Mercury-Lynx Preview

Posted Jul 23 2013 7:30PM

The Phoenix Mercury nearly ended what's now a nine-game losing streak to the Minnesota Lynx last week. To give themselves a chance to keep the skid from reaching double digits, the Mercury will likely have to find a way to contain Maya Moore for the entire game this time.

The Lynx seek their second straight season sweep of the Mercury on Wednesday in both teams' final contest before the All-Star game.

The Mercury led the Lynx by eight at halftime at home Saturday as they limited Moore to seven points and 3-of-12 shooting until the game's final minute.

Moore, though, then hit a 3-pointer, followed a steal with a layup and made two free throws to lift Minnesota (13-3) to an 82-77 victory, its sixth straight.

Moore is averaging 16.8 points per game on the season and 21.3 in the Lynx's four wins over the Mercury (9-8), which have come by an average of 17.0 points.

"I'm always trying to find a way to stay involved and help my team win," said Moore, voted an All-Star starter for the second time. "I never give up, I don't like to give up on my team and I could have easily just let it get to my head and gotten frustrated. But our team has done such a good job of picking each other up."

Minnesota is 7-0 at home. While Phoenix is 1-4 in its last five, the Mercury are 6-3 on the road and have won six of seven there as they seek their first victory over Minnesota since Aug. 9, 2011.

Diana Taurasi - another All-Star starter and the league leader with 22.4 points per game - finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists Sunday, but again shot poorly against the Lynx. She went 8 for 24 after being held to a 2-for-6 effort and a season-low four points in a 91-59 loss at Minnesota on July 7.

Taurasi, though, will sit out this game after being assessed her seventh technical foul Saturday - which triggers a one-game league-mandated suspension. That will further deplete a Phoenix team trying to deal with injuries to key players.

The Mercury have struggled without rookie and top overall pick Brittney Griner, the WNBA leader with 2.8 blocks per game who could miss her fifth straight contest with a sprained left knee. Forward Lynetta Kizer also didn't play Sunday because of a strained left knee.

Phoenix signed guard Jasmine James to a seven-day contract Sunday, but the Mercury still had only eight healthy players.

"We just didn't have enough at the end,'' said DeWanna Bonner, who had 23 points and 10 rebounds. "That's where (the Lynx's) veteran leadership comes in, they have a full roster. They can make a couple of subs and we can't."

A third All-Star starter, Seimone Augustus, scored 15 for Minnesota in her second game since returning from a sprained ankle.