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

[StarDust Bum]

Sky-Fever Preview

Posted Jun 21 2013 5:45PM

The Indiana Fever continue to struggle, and the injury-plagued WNBA champions will have to continue fighting through the tough times without Katie Douglas and Jessica Davenport.

Others, like Tamika Catchings, have had plenty of success against the Chicago Sky, though.

Indiana seeks a seventh straight win in the series as Chicago looks to avoid a fourth consecutive road defeat Saturday night.

The Fever (1-5) have battled multiple injuries and have looked nothing like the team that won last season's title. Guards Erin Phillips (torn right meniscus) and Jeanette Pohlen (torn left ACL) have been out, while Douglas has missed four games with a bulging disc in her lower back.

The team announced Friday that Davenport will miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture of her left tibia. Douglas, who averaged 17.5 points in the two games she played, is expected to miss several more weeks for extra rest and therapy.

Catchings and Shavonte Zellous have done their best to keep Indiana afloat, though the Fever fell 64-60 to Washington on Sunday. Zellous scored 17 points and Catchings added 16 for the Fever, who rank last in the WNBA at 68.7 points per game.

"We put ourselves in a position to win the game even though we didn't get over the hump," Catchings said.

Catchings leads the team with 18.2 points per game, but the play of Zellous in Douglas' absence has impressed coach Lin Dunn. She's averaged 18.2 points over the last six games.

"(Zellous) is probably our best perimeter player as far as just looking for her shot and being ready to take it," Dunn said. "She's not getting out of whack. She's not going too fast. She's not forcing the situation. She kind of has a calmness about her that just comes from experience."

Zellous is aware, though, that Catchings and Douglas, when healthy, are going to get the majority of the touches.

"At the end of the day, this is still Katie's and Catch's team," Zellous said. "But right now, we're down a few of our star players. I just give credit to my teammates for finding me and giving me the ball."

In her third season with Indiana, Zellous has been around for a good portion of the team's success versus Chicago, though Catchings has experienced all of it. The Fever are 24-5 against the Sky, including a five-game sweep last season.

Chicago (4-3) has dropped three straight road games and has lost three of four overall after its 3-0 start. It fell 83-74 at Tulsa on Thursday despite the return of Epiphanny Prince, who scored 13 points after missing the previous three while playing for the Russian national team.

Sylvia Fowles finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds while rookie Elena Delle Donne added 14 points.

"They were more physical and had us on our heels,'' coach Pokey Chatman said after her team committed 15 turnovers. "They beat us in the toughness areas. If there was a loose ball, they were getting it. They played hard.''

Fowles averaged 18.4 points versus Indiana last season.

[StarDust Bum]

Storm-Shock Preview

Posted Jun 22 2013 12:26AM

A lineup change sparked the Tulsa Shock to their first home win of the season earlier this week.

With Nicole Powell likely starting once again, the Shock will try to record their second victory in as many matchups against the streaking Seattle Storm on Saturday night.

With his team off to another lackluster start, Tulsa coach Gary Kloppenburg gave Powell her first start of the 2013 on Thursday. She responded with a season-high 18 points and eight rebounds in an 83-74 win over Chicago.

"When you're 1-7, you have to do something to shake things up," Kloppenburg said. "Nicole is a former All-Star who can shoot the ball very well. It was time to make that change and get her in the starting lineup."

Riquna Williams also shined once again off the bench by scoring a team-best 21 points after putting up a career-high 28, including six 3-pointers, in a 108-103 overtime loss to Phoenix on Sunday. Williams is averaging 17.0 points and has done her best to help the Shock (2-7) overcome injuries to leading scorer Liz Cambage (ankle) and Tiffany Jackson-Jones (leg).

Prior to Thursday, Tulsa's only other win came against Seattle on June 7. Williams sat out with an undisclosed injury and star rookie Skylar Diggins scored six of her 12 points in the final 2:21 of a 67-58 victory to snap a 10-game skid in the series.

Diggins, who made three of her eight shots in that game, is shooting just 29.5 percent this season and is 4 of 21 (19.0 percent) from 3-point range. The point guard, though, had a career-best 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting in the loss to Phoenix.

She missed five of six shots against Chicago and finished with five points.

Seattle continued to show that it's adjusting without a pair of star players in Friday's 91-86 victory at San Antonio - its third win in a row. Camille Little had season highs of 23 points and 10 rebounds while Tina Thompson scored 10 of her 21 points in the final 5:07.

Thompson, the WNBA's all-time leading scorer, had a season-high 30 points in a 96-86 victory against Washington on Tuesday and a team-best 17 in the loss to Tulsa.

The 17-year veteran is giving the Storm a huge lift with the absences of Lauren Jackson (hamstring) and Sue Bird (knee). Seattle started 1-3 without those players and dropped its first two road games before winning its past two.

"I think we disappointed ourselves in the start, and we didn't play to the best of our abilities," Little said. "We knew we were better than that, and so we've just focused as a group so we can play better on both ends of the floor. We've been doing that, and we're going to try to continue doing that."

The Storm (4-3) have won five straight in Tulsa, and Little scored a career-high 28 points in Seattle's most recent game there, an 89-66 win Sept. 8.

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday, June 22

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 7:00 PM ET Indiana +2.5 500 POD # 1
Indiana - Under 147.5 500 POD # 3


Seattle - 8:00 PM ET Seattle +4 500POD # 4
Tulsa - Over 147 500 POD # 2

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Dream-Sun Preview

Posted Jun 22 2013 12:55PM

The Atlanta Dream have continued to play solid on the defensive end without Sancho Lyttle.

The addition of veteran center Ruth Riley could make the WNBA's top team even stronger.

Riley is expected to make her Dream debut Sunday when the struggling Connecticut Sun try to prevent the Dream from their best eight-game start in franchise history.

The team's leading rebounder (9.0 per game) and second-leading scorer (15.4 points per game) behind Angel McCoughtry (19.4), Lyttle has missed the last two games while with the Spanish national team and is expected to miss four more.

Atlanta (6-1), though, has won both games in her absence, holding its opponents to 36.1 percent shooting with 35 total turnovers.

"Defense is our game. We take a lot of pride in it,'' point guard Jasmine Thomas said after the Dream used a 16-2 fourth-quarter run to pull away in last Sunday's 88-74 victory over Chicago.

The Dream, who also opened 6-1 three years ago, are among the WNBA leaders in scoring defense with 69.4 points per game and field-goal defense at 38.8 percent. They also have three of the league's steals leaders: Armintie Herrington (3.67 per game), McCoughtry (3.57) and Lyttle (2.8).

Tuesday's signing of Riley gives Atlanta another solid defender. The former All-Star and WNBA finals MVP is averaging 6.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 12 seasons.

Riley played with Chicago last season.

"She's a post player that has the ability to shoot from the outside, is a strong rebounder and can alter shots," coach Fred Williams told the Dream's official website.

The Sun (2-5) are hoping 6-foot 4 Kayla Pedersen can add some production down low after acquiring her from Tulsa on Thursday for a second-round pick in the 2014 draft. Pedersen, the seventh overall pick in 2011, has averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 69 career games.

"Kayla is a young player with good size and a promising upside who will certainly fill a need on our roster, adding much-needed height to our lineup," coach Anne Donovan told the Sun's official website.

The Sun could use some scoring from Pedersen, as they're ranked among the WNBA's worst, averaging 71.3 points on 39.3 percent shooting.

That inconsistency has made it difficult for Connecticut to put together solid 40-minute efforts. After getting outscored 32-22 in the third quarter of a 78-68 loss to New York on June 14, the Sun's deficit grew from seven to 13 in the opening 5:44 of the second half in last Sunday's 78-66 loss to Seattle.

"Coach (Donovan) gave us a great motivational speech coming out in the beginning and after halftime, but we came out flat," said center Tina Charles, the team leader with 18.6 points per game and 10.0 rebounds. "Things weren't going our way. It's just really frustrating.''

Perhaps a visit by the Dream can help as the Sun continue their four-game homestand. Connecticut has won the last four regular-season games with the Dream in town, including both last season by a combined 39 points.

[StarDust Bum]

Silver Stars-Liberty Preview

Posted Jun 22 2013 1:25PM

New York Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer knows his team is much more dangerous when Cappie Pondexter is on top of her game.

Another solid performance against visiting San Antonio on Sunday could help New York win a third consecutive contest while sending the reeling Silver Stars to a fifth straight defeat.

The Liberty were down 33-24 at halftime of their June 14 contest versus Connecticut, but Pondexter scored 18 of her 20 points in the final 20 minutes to help guide New York (4-2) to a 78-68 win.

"It takes 40 minutes to win or lose a game," Pondexter said. "At halftime we're down nine and (Laimbeer) reminded us it's a 40-minute game. We were able to keep our pressure up and make some huge buckets down the stretch.''

Pondexter leads the Liberty in scoring with 16.0 points per game and also is dishing out a team-best average of 3.5 assists.

"When Cappie gets going we're a pretty special ballclub at times,'' Laimbeer said. "When she wants to take over the game she's one of the best, if not the best, in doing such.''

New York has won both games since Essence Carson tore her ACL, as veteran Katie Smith has stepped into a starting role. The 39-year-old scored 10 points in the last contest to surpass Lisa Leslie for second on the WNBA's all-time scoring list.

"It's a lot of pride that you've done good work for a long period of time,'' Smith said. "You've been consistently at the top or near the top. I love this game. I love competing and playing."

The Liberty lost both meetings with San Antonio last season, though Pondexter scored 23 points in each. She's averaging 21.3 in her last four versus the Silver Stars, who returned from a winless three-game trip and lost 91-86 to Seattle on Friday.

Jia Perkins scored 21 points, Danielle Robinson had 20 and Shameka Christon added 19 in her first bench appearance as Shenise Johnson started in her place.

Coach Dan Hughes' lineup change may have had something to do with San Antonio getting outscored 49-20 in the second half of an 84-48 loss at Los Angeles on June 15. The Silver Stars scored only 13 points in the first quarter Friday, though, and committed four of their nine turnovers.

"I thought offensively we came out a little sluggish,'' Hughes said.

Perkins, the team's leading scorer at 12.4 points per game, had only 12 while shooting 3 for 14 from the field over her previous two games.

"(Friday) was one of those games where you have to find the rhythm and get things going,'' Perkins said. "I think we have to get better defensively. I think we scored enough points to win. So we just have to stop the other team from scoring more points than us."

Perkins scored 24 points in a 94-81 win over the Liberty on July 8 before Robinson's 21 helped the Silver Stars beat New York 77-66 on Sept. 18.

[StarDust Bum]

Shock-Lynx Preview

Posted Jun 22 2013 11:50PM

After suffering their worst loss in nearly two years, the Minnesota Lynx are surely looking forward to getting back home.

The Shock, meanwhile, are coming off their most lopsided victory since relocating to Tulsa in 2010.

Looking to stay unbeaten at Target Center, Minnesota tries for a 13th consecutive victory over the Shock on Sunday night

The Lynx (5-2) entered Friday averaging a WNBA-leading 86.5 points before getting blown out 87-59 at Los Angeles. Minnesota's starting five was limited to 17 points on 7-of-25 shooting, suffering its most lopsided defeat since falling 108-79 at Connecticut on Aug. 16, 2011.

The Lynx, who were outrebounded 43-31 and outscored 38-28 in the paint, also gave up 24 points off 17 turnovers.

"I think we got outhustled, pretty much the whole game," guard Lindsay Whalen said. "The second team went and did some really good things and made a lot of things happen. We just got outhustled and ended up taking bad shots on offense and then that kind of put our defense in a hard position. It wasn't our night."

The Lynx, though, have to be feeling good about getting back home, where they've outscored opponents by an average of 17.0 points in opening 3-0. A matchup against the Shock (3-7) could help, too.

Since falling 92-79 at Tulsa on June 4, 2010, Minnesota has taken 12 consecutive meetings in the series. Rebekkah Brunson scored 19 points and Whalen added 17 as the Lynx won 83-74 at Tulsa last Friday, holding a 48-30 edge on the glass and limiting the Shock to 38.0 percent shooting.

"We've had three- or four-minute spans when we sort of go into a funk offensively," Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "You can't do that against this team."

Tulsa, though, is coming off back-to-back wins for the first time, beating Chicago 83-74 on Thursday and Seattle 92-70 on Saturday. The Shock took a 23-12 lead into the second quarter against the Storm and never looked back.

"Once we got them down, we felt like we wanted to put the hammer down," Kloppenburg said. "We wanted to keep the pressure on from the beginning of the game all the way until the end. Tonight was very rewarding. This franchise has faced some adversity and it's nice to have some nights like this."

Roneeka Hodges was one of six players to score in double figures, posting a team-high 19 points off the bench. Glory Johnson scored 14 to go along with 12 rebounds.

"I think we all felt comfortable," said Hodges, whose team shot 50.0 percent. "We're finding who we're going to be as a team. We're doing the little things right and things are starting to come along. Everyone stuck to their roles tonight and we showed we can compete with the better teams in the league."

[StarDust Bum]

Mystics-Sparks Preview

Posted Jun 22 2013 5:24PM

Since an uncharacteristic defensive effort just over a week ago, the Los Angeles Sparks have been more successful after committing to buckling down at that end of the floor.

The Washington Mystics may need to take some lessons.

Los Angeles seeks a third consecutive win while dealing visiting Washington a third straight loss Sunday night.

The Sparks (4-2) were far from their best on June 14, falling to Phoenix 97-81 while allowing the Mercury to shoot 50 percent from the field. They've seen much better results since that humbling defeat, making a conscious effort to improve defensively.

Los Angeles held San Antonio to 30.2 percent shooting in an 84-48 win June 15 before routing two-time defending Western Conference champion Minnesota 87-59 on Friday.

Kristi Toliver scored a game-high 19 points, and Nneka Ogwumike added 18 and eight rebounds while helping hold the Lynx to 34.9 percent shooting.

"We were very disappointed. That was not who we were," Toliver said of the loss to Phoenix. "We wanted to identify ourselves and we are now going to be the toughest and the baddest team on the floor on a night-to-night basis.''

Ogwumike also added five assists, and Lindsey Harding returned to the lineup to score 13 points after missing the previous game with an eye injury.

"We didn't want to start bouncing around and be inconsistent,'' Ogwumike said. "To see the same consistency almost a week later in this game is definitely solidifying the identity that we're trying to find.''

Washington hasn't had much trouble scoring, but its spotty defense has been responsible for digging too big of a deficit to overcome in its last two defeats.

The Mystics (4-3) allowed 18 points in overtime and fell 96-86 to Seattle on Tuesday before their late rally fell short in Friday's 90-82 loss to Phoenix. They had won their previous three games.

"Their shots were falling,'' coach Mike Thibault said of the latest defeat. "It's disappointing because we had a chance to get back in the game, (but) we took some bad shots down the stretch.''

The offense hasn't been the issue, though. Ivory Latta scored 22 points while Matee Ajavon added 18 and Monique Currie finished with 17 and eight rebounds against the Mercury.

Latta, averaging a team-best 18.6 points, shot 10 of 16 from the field after scoring nine points and attempting a season-low seven shots against Seattle. Currie has scored in double figures in five straight after averaging 8.3 points in her first four.

Currie had 16 points in the last meeting with the Sparks on Sept. 7, but Toliver and Candace Parker netted 18 apiece in Los Angeles' 96-68 victory for its third straight win in the series.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA

Dunkel


Tulsa at Minnesota
The Lynx look to build on their 4-0 ATS record in their last 4 home games. Minnesota is the pick (-15) according to Dunkel, which has the Lynx favored by 17. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-15). Here are all of today's picks

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

Game 601-602: San Antonio at New York (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 108.233; New York 115.628
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 7 1/2; 141
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 5 1/2; 146 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (-5 1/2); Under

Game 603-604: Atlanta at Connecticut (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 114.005; Connecticut 115.250
Dunkel Line & Total: Connecticut by 1; 157
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 3; 152
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+3); Over

Game 605-606: Tulsa at Minnesota (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 104.100; Minnesota 121.121
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 17; 156
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 15; 161
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-15); Under

Game 607-608: Washington at Los Angeles (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 104.846; Los Angeles 123.051
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 18; 162
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 13 1/2; 157 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-13 1/2); Over




WNBA

Sunday, June 23

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Trend Report
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3:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. NEW YORK
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Antonio's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Antonio's last 8 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 5 games
New York is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against San Antonio

3:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. CONNECTICUT
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Connecticut
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Connecticut's last 5 games
Connecticut is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home

7:00 PM
TULSA vs. MINNESOTA
Tulsa is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tulsa's last 6 games
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Tulsa

8:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. LOS ANGELES
Washington is 3-22 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games at home


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WNBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, June 23

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SAN ANTONIO (2 - 5) at NEW YORK (4 - 2) - 6/23/2013, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 70-47 ATS (+18.3 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) in June games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games against Eastern conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.

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

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ATLANTA (6 - 1) at CONNECTICUT (2 - 5) - 6/23/2013, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 11-0 ATS (+11.0 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 7-3 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 5-5 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TULSA (3 - 7) at MINNESOTA (5 - 2) - 6/23/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 43-26 ATS (+14.4 Units) in home games in June games since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-5 against the spread versus TULSA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 10-0 straight up against TULSA 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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WASHINGTON (4 - 3) at LOS ANGELES (4 - 2) - 6/23/2013, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 230-283 ATS (-81.3 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 144-186 ATS (-60.6 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 13-28 ATS (-17.8 Units) in road games on Sunday games since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 to 15 points since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 to 18 points since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 or more points since 1997.

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

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday, June 23

Game Score Status Pick Amount

San Antonio - 3:00 PM ET New York -5.5 500

New York - Under 146.5 500 POD # 1



Atlanta - 3:00 PM ET Atlanta -3 500

Connecticut - Under 152.5 500



Tulsa - 7:00 PM ET Tulsa +16 500 POD # 2
Minnesota - Under 161 500 POD # 3


Washington - 8:30 PM ET Los Angeles -14 500 POD # 4
Los Angeles - Under 158 500

[StarDust Bum]

Fever-Dream Preview

Posted Jun 24 2013 12:54PM

The Atlanta Dream weren't at their best the last time out, but leading scorer Angel McCoughtry helped them find a way to win.

The defending WNBA champion Indiana Fever haven't done that since opening night.

Atlanta will try to continue its franchise-best start and extend its team-record home winning streak Tuesday against the injury-plagued Fever.

Up by 13 at the end of the third quarter, the Dream (7-1) held on Sunday for a 78-77 victory at Connecticut. McCoughtry scored 10 of the team's 14 fourth-quarter points - including the winning layup with 51.4 seconds left - to finish with a season-best 34.

The reigning scoring champ is second in the league with 21.3 points per game.

"I should've played better defense when they were coming back,'' McCoughtry said, "but we kind of needed this test because we haven't had many games like this. This is good for us. We needed a test like this."

It's uncertain what kind of test the league-worst Fever (1-6) will provide as they arrive in Atlanta on their worst skid since July 2007. Indiana hasn't dropped seven straight since a franchise-worst 10-game slide in its inaugural 2000 season.

The team could be hard-pressed to avoid that if 2011 MVP Tamika Catchings doesn't return after missing Saturday's 71-61 loss to Chicago with a lower back strain. The Fever continue to play without Erin Phillips (knee), Jeanette Pohlen (knee), star guard Katie Douglas (lower back) and center Jessica Davenport, who's done for the season with a stress fracture in her lower left leg.

"On paper, we aren't even supposed to be close,'' coach Lin Dunn said. "They should've blown us out of the building. You've got to give these players (credit) for battling.''

Shavonte Zellous has done a nice job in Douglas' absence - she's averaging a team-best 18.0 points on 47.4 percent shooting - but the Fever rank last in the league from the field at 38.2 percent. They're also averaging a WNBA-worst 67.6 points.

That doesn't bode well against an Atlanta team yielding the fewest points per game (70.4) and recording the most steals with 12.8 per contest.

The Dream had 12 steals in an 86-77 victory May 31 that ruined Indiana's home opener.

McCoughtry led all players with 29 points in that contest, the first between these teams since Indiana won the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals. The Fever avoided elimination in their last visit to Philips Arena, posting a 103-88 Game 2 victory Sept. 30.

Dream fans could get their first look at center Ruth Riley after she signed last week with Sancho Lyttle gone with the Spanish national team. Lyttle is expected to return following Atlanta's three-game homestand.

The Dream are 4-0 at Philips Arena for the first time, winning by an average of 14.8 points.

[StarDust Bum]

Mercury-Silver Stars Preview

Posted Jun 24 2013 6:04PM

With Diana Taurasi being one of the league's best perimeter players and rookie Brittney Griner becoming a force down low, the Phoenix Mercury are proving to be an offensive threat from anywhere on the floor.

Phoenix seeks a fifth victory in six tries as it visits the San Antonio Silver Stars on Tuesday night.

Taurasi has recorded six straight 20-point games, including a 31-point performance in Friday's 90-82 win over Washington. She's averaging a league-best 24.6 points for the Mercury (4-4), who have bounced back from an 0-3 start.

The veteran guard also hit 10 of 11 free throws Friday as Phoenix frequently drove to the rim, much to the delight of coach Corey Gaines.

"We made it a point to attack the basket," Gaines told the team's official site. "I think what happens is sometimes you attack the basket and sometimes you don't get the call. In the back of your mind your thinking, 'I didn't get the call; I'm forcing it.'"

Gaines also was pleased that Griner, who scored a season-best 21 points and added four blocks, was assertive around the rim. Phoenix outscored Washington 44-22 in the paint.

``We had a little talk and she had been posting up on the block,'' Gaines said of Griner, the top overall pick who is averaging 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.9 blocks. ``She has been going outside that circle. She has to be staying inside the circle. Instead of being five feet away from the basket, she was three feet away from the basket.''

Taurasi believes the Mercury can be even more dangerous if they don't settle for outside shots.

"I think once we are aggressive like that, we feed off of it," Taurasi said.

After shooting a season-best 51.6 percent, Phoenix will look to stay hot against a San Antonio team coming off a 78-77 overtime win over New York on Sunday.

Shenise Johnson hit the winning jumper with 36.1 seconds remaining in OT as the Silver Stars (3-5) ended a four-game losing streak.

Danielle Robinson scored 18 points, Danielle Adams had 16, and DeLisha Milton-Jones added 15.

``Definitely proud of our effort, proud of the way we fought,'' Robinson said. ``We obviously let go of the (early) lead but the way we closed the game in regulation and in overtime ... we needed it and we buckled down and got it."

Coach Dan Hughes was excited his team finally was able to get over the hump.

``We're learning what it is to be in a game where they make a play and we make a play, they don't make a play we don't make a play,'' Hughes said. ``Glad to see us answer their baskets and stops. I thought we competed really well.''

Taurasi scored 25 points as Phoenix won the most recent matchup 94-90 on Sept. 1 to snap a four-game losing streak in the series.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Indiana at Atlanta
The Dream look to take advantage of an Indiana team that is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games in Atlanta. Atlanta is the pick (-13) according to Dunkel, which has the Dream favored by 15. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-13). Here are all of today's picks

TUESDAY, JUNE 25

Game 651-652: Indiana at Atlanta (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 106.933; Atlanta 122.042
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 15; 149
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 13; 143 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-13); Over

Game 653-654: Phoenix at San Antonio (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 114.879; San Antonio 107.833
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix 7; 161
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 5; 167 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-5); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, June 25

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INDIANA (1 - 6) at ATLANTA (7 - 1) - 6/25/2013, 12:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 85-123 ATS (-50.3 Units) as an underdog since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 9-7 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 10-6 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PHOENIX (4 - 4) at SAN ANTONIO (3 - 5) - 6/25/2013, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 12-30 ATS (-21.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 4-19 ATS (-16.9 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 7-20 ATS (-15.0 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 10-26 ATS (-18.6 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 4-16 ATS (-13.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 18-5 ATS (+12.5 Units) in June games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 25-42 ATS (-21.2 Units) on Tuesday since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 31-49 ATS (-22.9 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 6-3 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 6-3 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Tuesday, June 25

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Trend Report
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12:00 PM
INDIANA vs. ATLANTA
Indiana is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Indiana is 8-17 ATS in its last 25 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
Atlanta is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games

8:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. SAN ANTONIO
Phoenix is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing Phoenix

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday, June 25

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Indiana - 12:00 PM ET Atlanta -12 500 POD # 1

Atlanta - Under 144.5 500 POD # 3


Phoenix - 8:00 PM ET Phoenix -3.5 500 POD # 2

San Antonio - Over 167.5 500POD # 4

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

New York at Chicago
The Sky look to take advantage of a New York team that is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 road games. Chicago is the pick (-8 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Sky favored by 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-8 1/2). Here are all of today's picks

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26

Game 601-602: New York at Chicago (12:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New York 107.309; Chicago 117.948
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 10 1/2; 142
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 8 1/2; 147
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-8 1/2); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, June 26

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NEW YORK (4 - 3) at CHICAGO (5 - 3) - 6/26/2013, 12:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive road games since 1997.

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

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WNBA

Wednesday, June 26

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Trend Report
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12:30 PM
NEW YORK vs. CHICAGO
New York is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
Chicago is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against New York

[StarDust Bum]

Liberty-Sky Preview

Posted Jun 25 2013 3:29PM

New York Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer isn't afraid to make changes if his squad's lackluster play from its most recent contest continues.

The Liberty begin a four-game road trip as they face the Chicago Sky in a Wednesday matinee.

Laimbeer was especially upset after New York (4-3) committed 21 turnovers in Sunday's 78-77 overtime loss to San Antonio, marking the third time his club has registered at least 20 giveaways.

Cappie Pondexter finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but she also accounted for a team-worst seven turnovers.

"I haven't been able to instill in them to take care of the basketball," Laimbeer said. "We're throwing the ball all over they gym. Some of the passes, we were just flinging it to get rid of it. It was really painful to watch.

"You can't win in our system committing (21) turnovers."

Veteran Katie Smith agreed.

"We love that we fight, we compete, we don't give up, we battle,'' Smith said. "But then we also realize if we just took care of the basketball a few more times ... we'd walk out here with a win."

Laimbeer saved some of his harshest criticism for rookie guard Kamiko Williams, who started but played only nine minutes without attempting a shot. Leilani Mitchell came off the bench to play nearly 36 minutes, scoring 11 points and dishing out six assists.

"(Williams) doesn't push the ball like I ask her to, she throws passes I don't want her to and I've talked to her and talked to her," Laimbeer said. "She needs to step up or she needs to find a new home. That's the way this business works."

It's unclear how the starting lineup will look when the Liberty face the Sky (5-3), who return home after concluding a stretch of three straight road games with a 71-61 win over Indiana on Saturday.

Epiphanny Prince scored 21 points and Elena Delle Donne finished with 13 as Chicago outscored the Fever 22-10 in the final quarter.

"It's nice to pull out a grinding win,'' coach Pokey Chatman said. "We held them to 24 points in the second half. We rebounded the ball and were able to run."

The Sky lead the Eastern Conference in scoring at 83.3 points per game, with Prince averaging 19.2 and Delle Donne leading all rookies with 18.6 per contest.

Chicago tops the league in rebounding, grabbing 41.5 per game with a WNBA-best plus-11.6 differential. Sylvia Fowles paces the league with 12.9 boards per contest.

Prince scored 20 points while Pondexter, a high school All-American while growing up in Chicago, finished with 24 as the Sky won the most recent meeting 92-83 on Sept. 7.