The Bum's WNBA August Best Bets + Pod's

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday, August 8

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Los Angeles - 7:00 PM ET Indiana -3.5 500 POD # 1


Indiana - Under 144.5 500 POD # 2

Washington - 8:00 PM ET Washington +14.5 500 POD # 4

Minnesota - Over 160.5 500 POD # 3

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sky (13-7) at Sun (6-13)

Date: August 09, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


The Chicago Sky have gotten off to fast starts in their two games against the Connecticut Sun this season.

The Sky will try to improve to 3-0 against the Sun and avoid their first three-game skid in Friday night's matchup in Connecticut.

Chicago (13-7) has posted wins of 86-75 on May 31 and 83-70 on July 12 over Connecticut (6-13). The Sky led by 10 after one quarter in the first matchup and by 13 after one period the next time.

The Sun have been unable to contain rookie sensation Elena Delle Donne, who is averaging 21.5 points on 57.1 percent shooting while making all 16 free throws in those games.

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Delle Donne, however, could be working her way back into a rhythm after her 12-point performance Tuesday in a 64-58 home loss to Indiana. She returned after missing the Sky's last two games and the WNBA All-Star game in Connecticut due to a concussion.

Chicago matched its lowest scoring output from Saturday's 79-58 loss at Indiana. The Sky shot 32.8 percent in that contest and only improved to 36.7 percent in the rematch.

"We did play really solid defense and that usually gets it done,' Delle Donne said. "Offensively we couldn't get into a flow."

One player who has not gotten untracked since the break is guard Epiphanny Prince, averaging 9.0 points on 25.7 percent shooting in three games. The All-Star averages 14.9 points.

"We need to find a way to make a second cut and a third cut to get into our offense instead of just staring at each other and letting the shot clock go down and trying to throw up a shot, go 1-on-1," Delle Donne said.

This matchup features the league's top rebounders in Chicago's Sylvia Fowles and Connecticut's Tina Charles. Fowles averages 11.7 rebounds and Charles 11.0.

Fowles finished with 24 points and a career-high 22 rebounds while Charles had 16 and 15 in the first meeting. Charles outscored Fowles 29-14 in the second matchup, with the players combining for only 14 rebounds.

Chicago's lead atop the Eastern Conference has been cut to one-half game over Atlanta. Connecticut is in last place, but only two games out of a playoff spot.

The Sun were denied their first three-game win streak as Renee Montgomery missed a 3-pointer as time expired in Tuesday's 74-72 loss to Los Angeles. Charles finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds.

The only quarter in which Connecticut was outscored was a 24-17 deficit in the second.

"We've got to make sure that fight that we had the whole second half, we have to have it for four quarters, not three," Montgomery said. "Today we had three. The end of that second quarter was rough."

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Preview: Shock (7-15) at Mercury (10-11)
Date: August 09, 2013 10:00 PM EDT


After losing two of their best players to injury, the slumping Phoenix Mercury could be in for an even rougher road ahead.

Corey Gaines, however, won't be around to see it.

Brittney Griner and DeWanna Bonner are uncertain to be available as the Mercury host the Tulsa Shock on Friday night in their first game since Gaines was fired as coach and general manager.

Phoenix (10-11) went into this season with high expectations after adding Griner to a roster that featured star players Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor and Candice Dupree. The Mercury, though, have a one-half game lead over Seattle for the Western Conference's final playoff spot, and Gaines was relieved of his roles on Thursday.

Former University of Arizona coach Russ Pennell will serve as interim coach and President and CEO Amber Cox will be interim GM.

Phoenix was dealt an enormous blow in an 80-65 loss to the Storm on Tuesday, losing Griner to an ankle injury and Bonner to a sprained right knee. Both players were hurt in the third quarter, when the Mercury were outscored 30-17.

Griner is averaging 13.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and a league-leading 3.0 blocks, while Bonner is averaging 16.1 points and 6.6 boards to rank second on the team in both categories.

WNBA leading scorer Taurasi (21.4 points per game), limited to nine points and 2-of-11 shooting Tuesday, will likely be asked to carry an even bigger load. Backup guard Jasmine James, though, knows others will also need to contribute.

"That's what the players on the bench are there for, to be ready to come in when you have injuries like that," James said. "The main thing is to stay ready and when you get in take advantage of those minutes and try to be as productive as possible. It stinks that we had those injuries because those are players we definitely need in the game.

"We just have to go back to the drawing board and try to come back on Friday and bounce back from it."

Despite their rash of injuries, the Mercury, losers of seven of nine, would appear to have a pair of favorable matchups with back-to-back home games against the West-worst Shock (7-15). Tulsa has been especially bad on the road, where it has dropped nine of 11.

The Shock opened a four-game trip with a 69-65 loss to San Antonio on Sunday. Glory Johnson had 19 points and 11 rebounds while Elizabeth Cambage scored 16, but no one else reached double figures.

Tulsa committed 22 turnovers and was outscored 22-15 in the first quarter.

"We've got to find out how to get going early in the game, and obviously get better at that spot and come to play," coach Gary Kloppenburg said.

The Shock dropped this season's only matchup with the Mercury, 108-103 in overtime June 16. Johnson had a season-high 32 points and 15 boards but Phoenix shot 50.0 percent and held a 20-9 edge in transition.

Taurasi had 29 points, nine rebounds and nine assists while Bonner scored 23. Griner added 16 points and a season high-tying five blocks.

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Preview: Silver Stars (7-14) at Storm (9-11)
Date: August 09, 2013 10:00 PM EDT


In a season thought to be virtually lost from the beginning because of significant injuries, the San Antonio Silver Stars are sitting just outside the Western Conference playoff picture.

They could be on the cusp of the West's fourth seed by the end of the weekend.

The Silver Stars look to end a 10-game losing streak in Seattle on Friday night for the first of two meetings there with the Storm in a span of three days.

Despite being without former All-Stars Becky Hammon and Sophia Young for the season, San Antonio (7-14) is 2 1/2 games back of fourth-place Seattle (9-11).

The Silver Stars are 2-8 away from home and haven't won in Seattle since July 29, 2007, but they have been playing well over the last few weeks. They're 3-2 since July 20, with both losses coming to league-leading Minnesota.

San Antonio stuck around for much of Tuesday's home game against the Lynx before falling 93-80.

"I'm really proud of the way we played," said Jia Perkins, who scored 18 points. "As a matter of fact, we have been playing good basketball these last few games, so we just have to keep that going and not worry about the score of this game."

Danielle Adams, who had been averaging 13.0 points, scored a season-high 31 on 13-of-17 field-goal shooting. Adams also converted a personal-best four 3-pointers on six attempts while finishing a point shy of her career high.

"I thought Adams did a good job of mixing her inside and outside ball movement," coach Dan Hughes said. "The thing about Danielle Adams is we have tried hard to develop her as an interior player that can face the basket. I thought she did a really good job of that today."

Adams wasn't much of a factor in a 91-86 home loss to Seattle on June 21, posting nine points and four turnovers.

The Storm will try to neutralize her again, much like they did to Diana Taurasi in an 80-65 victory at Phoenix on Tuesday, limiting the league's leading scorer to nine points on 2-of-11 shooting.

Seattle outscored the Mercury 30-17 in the third quarter as Phoenix's Brittney Griner and DeWanna Bonner both left with injuries.

"I think we were in a good rhythm," said Temeka Johnson, who finished with 12 points. "It's unfortunate what happened to DeWanna and Brittney Griner, they are both talented players. I just know we were in a good rhythm at that moment and we capitalized off it and kept going."

Camille Little led Seattle with 23 points and 10 rebounds in the first meeting and Tina Thompson added 21 points.

Perkins scored 21 for the Silver Stars while All-Star Danielle Robinson recorded 20 points and six assists

The teams will play again in Seattle on Sunday night.

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WNBA
Dunkel

San Antonio at Seattle
The Silver Stars look to build on their 4-0 ATS record in their last 4 games against a team with a SU losing record. San Antonio is the pick (+5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Storm favored by only 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+5 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

Game 651-652: Chicago at Connecticut (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 115.866; Connecticut 107.637
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 8; 148
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 4; 153
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-4); Under

Game 653-654: Tulsa at Phoenix (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 110.708; Phoenix 111.495
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 166
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 4; 162
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (+4); Over

Game 655-656: San Antonio at Seattle (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 106.827; Seattle 109.555
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 2 1/2; 149
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 5 1/2; 144
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+5 1/2); Over




WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, August 9

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CHICAGO (13 - 7) at CONNECTICUT (6 - 13) - 8/9/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 91-58 ATS (+27.2 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 7-4 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 6-5 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TULSA (7 - 15) at PHOENIX (10 - 11) - 8/9/2013, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TULSA is 6-3 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 7-2 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SAN ANTONIO (7 - 14) at SEATTLE (9 - 11) - 8/9/2013, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 79-53 ATS (+20.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 25-44 ATS (-23.4 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.

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

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WNBA

Friday, August 9

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. CONNECTICUT
Chicago is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Connecticut is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Connecticut's last 6 games at home

10:00 PM
TULSA vs. PHOENIX
Tulsa is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Tulsa is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Phoenix is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Tulsa
Phoenix is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

10:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. SEATTLE
San Antonio is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
San Antonio is 5-10-1 ATS in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Seattle's last 12 games
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio

[StarDust Bum]

Friday, August 9

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 7:00 PM ET Chicago -4.5 500 POD # 4

Connecticut - Over 152.5 500 POD # 3

Tulsa - 10:00 PM ET Phoenix -3.5 500 POD # 6

Phoenix - Over 162 500 POD # 1

San Antonio - 10:00 PM ET Seattle -6.5 500 POD # 5

Seattle - Under 144 500 POD # 2

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sparks (15-7) at Liberty (9-12)

Date: August 10, 2013 1:00 PM EDT


Key performances from reserve players helped both the Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty to wins in their previous games.

Los Angeles hopes Jantel Lavender can complement Candace Parker as another viable inside option, while more consistency from Alex Montgomery could help New York chase down its fourth straight playoff berth.

The Sparks travel to New York on Saturday, wrapping up a season-long five-game trip.

After starting the season 0-4 on the road, Los Angeles (15-7) has won six of seven away from home and three in a row. The first two of those victories came without Candace Parker as Lavender combined for 27 points.

With Parker back Thursday at Indiana, Lavender returned to the bench, but provided a season-high 18 points along with nine rebounds in a 74-64 win.

"I just wanted to come in like I started the game," said Lavender, who averaged 5.4 points prior to the last three contests. "Candace is a great player. I just did the little things, rebounded and set screens."

Parker had 17 points and six rebounds in her first contest since claiming MVP honors in the All-Star Game on July 27. She and Lavender were a combined 16 of 28 from the field as Los Angeles tallied 50 points in the paint.

"Lindsey (Harding) did a great job of getting us in sets where she knew we could score," Lavender said. "It just came down to us really executing and making sure we got to the end of the play, and we did that a lot."

While Los Angeles holds second place in the Western Conference by a healthy margin, New York (9-12) is virtually tied with Washington for the East's fourth and final playoff spot after a 93-88 home win over the Mystics on Tuesday.

"I think we can turn things around," said Cappie Pondexter, who finished with 21 points and eight assists. "Instead of taking our anger out on each other, we made big plays down the stretch. When we have that kind of mentality, we can play with anyone."

Alex Montgomery scored a career-high 21 points off the bench, including 13 in the second quarter. The 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft had never scored more than 13 in a game.

Second-leading scorer Essence Carson (14.3 ppg) is sidelined for the season with a torn ACL, so more outbursts from Montgomery could be crucial to help lessen the pressure on Pondexter, who averages 18.2 points.

"She can be a good scoring threat for us," Pondexter said. "It's what we need if we're going to make a playoff push."

Los Angeles won the first meeting 97-89 on July 4 despite 34 points, six assists and five steals from Pondexter. The Liberty allowed the Sparks to shoot 64.5 percent and surrendered their most points since a 102-70 loss at Minnesota on June 21, 2012.

Kristi Toliver led the Sparks with 29 points, and is averaging 24.0 points over her last three contests versus New York.

A Liberty win would mark the third straight season series split.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dream (11-6) at Fever (10-11)

Date: August 10, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


After a superb start to the year, the Atlanta Dream have struggled mightily over the last month.

Getting back on track could prove difficult with another road game in store.

Atlanta tries to avoid a sixth consecutive road loss Saturday night when it faces the Indiana Fever.

While the Dream (11-6) looked like a force to be reckoned with after opening a franchise-best 10-1, things haven't gone their way of late. Atlanta has averaged 70.5 points - 10.2 less than its first 11 contests - during a 1-5 stretch, with each of those losses coming on the road.

The Dream saw their woes continue last Saturday in an 82-76 loss at Phoenix. MVP candidate Angel McCoughtry had 33 points and eight assists but also committed a season high-tying seven turnovers for the second straight game. McCoughtry is averaging a WNBA-worst 4.3 turnovers per game.

Atlanta held an 18-6 edge in transition and outscored the Mercury 48-36 in the paint, but it shot 39.4 percent - including 2 for 17 from 3-point range. The Dream took a three-point lead into halftime before getting outscored 18-9 in the third quarter.

"I just thought we just kind of went a little cold in the third," coach Fred Williams said. "(We) got a little stagnant there some. We were just trying to find our way with a few players to get a nice combination in there."

While Atlanta dropped two of three to the Fever (10-11) in last season's Eastern Conference semifinals, it has controlled the series so far this year. After spoiling Indiana's home opener with an 86-77 victory May 31, the Dream cruised to a 76-60 win June 25.

McCoughtry averaged 22.5 points in those victories, including a 29-point effort at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

"You don't stop Angel, that's not what you do," Fever coach Lin Dunn said. "What you want to try to do is try to limit her touches, make it hard for her, make somebody else beat you. I think it will be an interesting matchup for us."

The Fever completed a home-and-home sweep of conference-leading Chicago before falling 74-64 to Los Angeles on Thursday. Tamika Catchings had 17 points for Indiana, which trailed 27-13 after the first quarter.

"We've got to learn from this game, we've got to get better," said Dunn, whose team was outscored 50-30 in the paint. "We've got to get our mental and physical and emotional energy back, cause I thought we looked kind of lethargic the whole game.

"When we are not communicating and not reacting at a high level, it's tough for us."

The Fever, holding teams to a WNBA-low 68.1 points per game, allowed the Sparks to shoot 54.5 percent.

"We just got to get back to where we're doing the things defensively that we need to do," Lin said.

Indiana, 5-7 on its own court, hasn't suffered eight home losses since 2001.

The Fever continue to play without injured guard Katie Douglas (back), and Atlanta's Sancho Lyttle is also sidelined with a broken foot. Dream guard Tiffany Hayes (knee) could miss a seventh consecutive game.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Atlanta at Indiana
The Dream look to build on their 18-8 ATS record in their last 26 games versus the Fever. Atlanta is the pick (+3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Fever favored by only 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+3 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

Game 601-602: Los Angeles at New York (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 117.265; New York 109.537
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 7 1/2; 150
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 4 1/2; 154 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-4 1/2); Under

Game 603-604: Atlanta at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 112.402; Indiana 113.747
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 1 1/2; 145
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 3 1/2; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+3 1/2); Over




WNBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, August 10

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LOS ANGELES (15 - 7) at NEW YORK (9 - 12) - 8/10/2013, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 29-48 ATS (-23.8 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 72-50 ATS (+17.0 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 4-1 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 3-2 straight up against NEW YORK 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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ATLANTA (11 - 6) at INDIANA (10 - 11) - 8/10/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 63-89 ATS (-34.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games since 1997.

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

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WNBA

Saturday, August 10

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Trend Report
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1:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. NEW YORK
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Los Angeles's last 24 games when playing New York
Los Angeles is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
New York is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing at home against Los Angeles

7:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. INDIANA
Atlanta is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 5 games

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday, August 10

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Los Angeles - 1:00 PM ET Los Angeles -5 500 POD # 3

New York - Under 152 500 POD # 4

Atlanta - 7:00 PM ET Indiana -4 500 POD # 1

Indiana - Over 142 500 POD # 2

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sun (6-14) at Mystics (10-13)
Date: August 11, 2013 4:00 PM EDT


The Washington Mystics put an end to their slide in impressive fashion with a victory over the league's best team.

Seeking back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly a month, they'll host the struggling Connecticut Sun on Sunday.

Washington (10-13) ended a four-game skid with a 79-75 road win over Minnesota on Thursday. The victory ended the Lynx's 10-game winning streak and firmly placed the Mystics - who squandered a late 14-point lead in a 93-88 loss at New York on Tuesday - back in position for a playoff spot.

"We're desperate for a win and we played with desperation," said coach Mike Thibault, who coached the Sun for 10 years before being fired last November.

"If we can play with that kind of energy and effort at both ends every night we might have a little bit better record."

Matee Ajavon provided the go-ahead layup with 21.3 seconds left, two of her 18 points, while Ivory Latta scored 24 - her most since also tallying 24 on June 8 - on 9-of-11 shooting.

"This was a big game for us," said Latta, averaging a team highs of 14.0 points and 4.3 assists. "I think our season should turn around from this game. We just have to learn from it and continue to play well and together as a team."

Latta scored 17 in a 66-62 win at Connecticut on June 7, snapping a nine-game losing streak in the series.

The Sun (6-14) have the league's worst record and are coming off back-to-back home losses, including a 77-61 defeat to Chicago on Friday. They'll likely need Tina Charles to play more efficiently to improve on a 2-7 road record.

Charles was 2 of 18 for five points against the Sky as Connecticut shot 32.1 percent. The WNBA's reigning MVP is shooting a career-worst 39.6 percent on the season after converting 49.9 percent of her field goals last year. She has shot better than 50 percent only three times in 20 games and not since a July 12 loss to Chicago.

"I've said this before, and they've heard this before, but when we don't knock shots down, we lose our focus defensively," coach Anne Donovan said after her team was 1 for 14 from 3-point range while allowing Chicago to go 7 for 15.

Charles scored a game-high 21 in the first meeting but was just 10 for 25.

Connecticut's average rebounding margin of minus-2.4 is one of the worst in the league, while Washington claimed a 44-24 rebounding advantage against Minnesota - the most rebounds allowed by the Lynx this season.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Shock (7-16) at Mercury (11-11)

Date: August 11, 2013 6:00 PM EDT


The Russ Pennell era got off to a solid start with a much-needed win over the Western Conference's worst team.

The Phoenix Mercury would appear to have a good chance to make it two in a row with a second consecutive home matchup against the Tulsa Shock on Sunday.

One day after sixth-year coach Corey Gaines was fired, Phoenix (11-11) held on for a 70-67 win over Tulsa in Pennell's first game as interim coach. The Mercury, allowing a WNBA-worst 83.9 points per game, outscored the Shock 5-2 in the final two minutes Friday and came through with a big defensive stop on the Shock's final possession.

"I thought it was very appropriate we had to win it on the defensive end with a stop," Pennell said. "We made some careless mistakes that we have to correct, but overall I couldn't be more pleased with the effort and the attitude."

Diana Taurasi scored 23 points and Candice Dupree added 20 and nine rebounds for the Mercury, who had dropped seven of their previous nine.

"Everything has been different for the last two days, walking into the locker room not knowing what to expect, not knowing what to do in practice until he (Pennell) obviously put the structure together," said Taurasi, who leads the West with 21.5 points per game.

"Tonight is the same. Every word we're listening. We don't know what he is going to say, or how he is going to react to things. Little by little we are getting used to it."

The Mercury were without star rookie Brittney Griner, who is dealing with a left ankle injury suffered during Tuesday's 80-65 loss to Seattle. If the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft can't go Sunday, expect Phoenix to again look for Taurasi early and often.

"I'm not the smartest coach in the world, but I do know she (Taurasi) can play and we're trying to get her the ball in clutch moments for sure," Pennell said.

Tulsa (7-16), meanwhile, fell to a WNBA-worst 2-10 on the road with its third defeat in four games overall.

"It's a heartbreaking loss for us," coach Gary Kloppenburg. "Because I felt we played well enough to win. We just needed another couple shots for us to go down, a couple more free throws and it is probably a different result."

Elizabeth Cambage had 19 points and a season-high six blocks for the Shock, who were outrebounded 40-25, including 13-8 on the offensive glass.

"We had a few defensive lapses," said Cambage, whose team is allowing 79.6 points per contest to rank 11th in the league. "Defense wins games. A lack of rebounds killed us."

Tulsa, which fell 108-103 in overtime to Phoenix on June 16 in this season's only previous matchup, has dropped 12 of 14 in the series.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Lynx (17-4) at Sky (14-7)

Date: August 11, 2013 6:00 PM EDT


Coming off their first loss in over a month, Maya Moore and the WNBA-leading Minnesota Lynx have a very tough task in store.

In one of this season's biggest showdowns, the Lynx visit Elena Delle Donne and the Chicago Sky in a matchup of first-place teams Sunday.

The Lynx (17-4) had won 10 straight and 18 in a row at home before falling 79-75 to Washington on Thursday. Moore had 24 points while Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus combined for 37, but Minnesota was outrebounded 44-24, including 14-7 on the offensive glass.

With center Janel McCarville sidelined with a concussion, backups Amber Harris and Devereaux Peters combined for zero points and five rebounds in 23 minutes.

"Disappointing to not just lose a game but to get destroyed on the glass, really disappointing," coach Cheryl Reeve said. "We had a player down in the post and we did a very, very poor job of filling the void.

"We've won 10 out of 11 games, we're a great team - but we were not that tonight."

The Lynx could have their hands full again versus Chicago (14-7), which is outrebounding opponents by a WNBA-best 4.9 boards per game. Minnesota, though, is second at plus-4.4.

The Sky suffered a home-and-home sweep at the hands of Indiana before bouncing back Friday with a 77-61 victory at Connecticut. Epiphanny Prince scored 23 points and Delle Donne added 19 and nine rebounds for Chicago, which held a 46-36 edge on the glass.

"Sometimes you're on, sometimes you're off," Sylvia Fowles, averaging a league-high 11.6 rebounds, said of the team's previous two games. "We definitely were hungry after those last two losses, so we tried to come in and be more focused tonight. Just go out there and do what we can do."

Seeking its first playoff appearance in franchise history, Chicago holds a slim lead over Atlanta in the East.

"We want to stay at the top of the conference," Prince said. "And we know that Atlanta is right behind us. We came out. We were focused. We had a game plan and we executed it."

The Sky, who are holding opponents to a WNBA-low 39.4 percent shooting, limited the Sun to 25 of 78 (32.1 percent) from the field.

"This (game) was more about us and what we needed to do, especially on the defensive end of the floor," coach Pokey Chatman said. "It's something that we need to become more consistent with, and I thought we were throughout every quarter. We were really active with our hands and got a lot of deflections."

Delle Donne, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, leads the Sky with 17.9 points per game. Moore is averaging a team-high 17.2 points for Minnesota.

The Sky and Lynx split last season's two-game series, with each team winning at home. Prince led the way with 26 points in Chicago's 83-70 victory at Allstate Arena on Sept. 11.

Chicago is 8-2 at home this season, and Minnesota is a WNBA-best 7-3 on the road.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Liberty (9-13) at Dream (11-7)

Date: August 11, 2013 6:00 PM EDT


The lone blemish to the Atlanta Dream's stellar start was a loss to the New York Liberty in early June.

They've been mired in a tailspin since the end of that month, though.

Atlanta hopes a return home helps it get back on track as it hosts the up-and-down Liberty on Sunday night.

The Dream (11-7) appeared to be the class of the WNBA after beginning the season 10-1, but they've dropped six of seven since the beginning of July and have fallen 1 1/2 games behind Chicago for the Eastern Conference lead.

Atlanta, though, has been without Sancho Lyttle, who suffered a fractured left foot in a 94-72 loss to Minnesota on July 9 that began the slump. She's expected to miss at least another two weeks after having surgery.

Each of the Dream's defeats have come on the road, including Saturday's 80-66 loss to Indiana. Angel McCoughtry, the league's second-leading scorer, netted a team-high 17 points.

Coach Fred Williams wasn't making excuses but noted his gameplan couldn't be utilized after Indiana All-Star Shavante Zellous was scratched before the game due to a foot injury.

``It changed our plans a little because we worked on penetration,' Williams said. ``Now, you drive and kick, with a shooter outside, it changes plans at the last minute.'

Atlanta, though, is the league's only unbeaten home team at 8-0 and posted a 75-56 win over the Liberty on June 7 as McCoughtry finished with 15 points and 10 assists.

McCoughtry had another 15 points but shot only 4 of 16 from the field two days later in a 76-67 defeat at New York that marked the Dream's only loss until their current slump.

New York (9-13) will need another solid effort to ruin Atlanta's perfect home mark, though it's coming off an 85-67 loss to Los Angeles on Saturday. The Liberty have split their last six games, alternating wins and losses.

Cappie Pondexter scored a game-high 22 points and hit 7 of 15 from the field, but she also committed a team-worst four turnovers.

"We're just too inconsistent right now," Pondexter said. "You never know what team you're going to get.'

That's also a good assessment of how she and New York have played against Atlanta this season. The Liberty finished with 19 turnovers while being routed in the first meeting as Pondexter went 2 for 12 from the field and scored a season-worst six points.

She helped New York bounce back in the second matchup with 17 points and six assists.

The Liberty have won three of the last four versus the Dream.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Silver Stars (8-14) at Storm (9-12)

Date: August 11, 2013 9:00 PM EDT


After cruising to their first road win over the Seattle Storm in six years, the San Antonio Silver Stars have a chance to do more damage at KeyArena.

The Silver Stars try to inch closer to the Storm as these Western Conference rivals meet again in Seattle on Sunday night.

Since a 92-88 win July 29, 2007, San Antonio (8-14) had dropped 10 consecutive road matchups in the series before handily beating Seattle 77-56 on Friday. With another victory Sunday, the Silver Stars can move within one-half game of Seattle (9-12) for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West.

"To their (credit), they played like they're in a dogfight and there's playoff implications," Storm guard Tanisha Wright told the team's official website. "That's how they played. We didn't play like that at all. The good thing is we've got a day in between, we play them again on Sunday, and we can try to redeem ourselves."

Slowing down Danielle Robinson could prove key if Seattle hopes to get back on track. The third-year guard, who continues to impress while helping fill in for the injured Becky Hammon, had 14 points and eight assists.

"D-Rob makes it so easy," said Shenise Johnson, who led the Storm with 15 points. "There's no one guarding her because she's always inside the lane and if you can hit that open shot you'll have 15 a game. She's so quick. Did you see her out there? I love having her as a teammate."

Robinson is averaging a league-high 7.0 assists for the Silver Stars, who improved to 3-8 on the road thanks largely to making 30 of 60 shots.

"We haven't done that all year," said coach Dan Hughes, whose team took a 47-29 lead into halftime. "I'd like to spread it out through some of the other games."

The Storm are trying to avoid a fourth home loss in five tries after getting outplayed in almost every facet of the game. Seattle was limited to 38.9 percent shooting, committed 21 turnovers and was outscored 34-24 in the paint.

"We just couldn't get going," said Shekinna Stricklen, who had a game-high 16 points and a career-best three blocks. "They were knocking down shots, and we just couldn't get into a rhythm. We'll go in Saturday, watch film, work on what we need to work on, and fix it."

Stricklen is averaging 17.7 points in her last three games, 7.4 more than her season mark.

Seattle and San Antonio rank as the worst rebounding teams in the league with averages of 30.3 and 31.6, respectively.

While the Silver Stars continue to play without Hammon and Sophia Young, the Storm are without fellow stars Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson.

San Antonio hasn't won back-to-back road games since winning seven straight from June 24-Aug. 19 of last season.