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

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Washington at Atlanta
The Dream look to snap a 2-game losing streak and build on their 15-4 ATS record in their last 19 home games. Atlanta is the pick (-7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Dream favored by 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-7 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28

Game 651-652: Washington at Atlanta (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 107.441; Atlanta 117.835
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 10 1/2; 144
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 7 1/2; 150 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-7 1/2); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, August 28

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WASHINGTON (13 - 15) at ATLANTA (14 - 11) - 8/28/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 240-294 ATS (-83.4 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 151-194 ATS (-62.4 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 32-58 ATS (-31.8 Units) in road games in August or September games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 21-37 ATS (-19.7 Units) on Wednesday since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 42-68 ATS (-32.8 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 149-191 ATS (-61.1 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 145-182 ATS (-55.2 Units) after a division game since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 16-36 ATS (-23.6 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 38-58 ATS (-25.8 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.
ATLANTA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 8-5 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 10-3 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Wednesday, August 28

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 9 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday, August 28

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Washington - 7:00 PM ET Atlanta -7.5 500

Atlanta - Under 149 500

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Connecticut at Seattle
The Storm look to build on their 13-5 ATS record in their last 18 home games. Seattle is the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has the Storm favored by 16. Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-7). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29

Game 601-602: Connecticut at Seattle (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 101.318; Seattle 117.177
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 16; 137
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 7; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-7); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, August 29

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CONNECTICUT (7 - 20) at SEATTLE (14 - 14) - 8/29/2013, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
CONNECTICUT is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.
SEATTLE is 31-18 ATS (+11.2 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 81-56 ATS (+19.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 93-62 ATS (+24.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 3-2 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 3-2 straight up against CONNECTICUT 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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WNBA

Thursday, August 29

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Trend Report
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10:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. SEATTLE
Connecticut is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Connecticut is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Seattle is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Connecticut

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sun (7-20) at Storm (14-14)

Date: August 29, 2013 10:00 PM EDT


Behind yet another outstanding performance from Tina Thompson in her final season, the Seattle Storm continued their march toward an improbable playoff spot.

Seattle will try to take another step toward clinching a postseason berth when it hosts the struggling Connecticut Sun on Thursday night.

The Storm have gone 8-4 since a 6-10 start, managing to overcome the season-long absences of Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson. That's largely because of the 38-year-old Thompson, who's averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in the last 12.

The WNBA's all-time leading scorer has also averaged 21.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in Seattle's past four wins. The Storm have gone 4-1 in their previous five.

She had 27 points and 13 rebounds in a 72-71 win at San Antonio on Tuesday, pushing the Storm's lead to four games over the Silver Stars for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Thompson bounced back from an 11-point, three-rebound performance in a 70-64 loss to San Antonio two days earlier.

"She's one of the all-time best," coach Brian Agler said. "She continues to show it at 38. She'll mix it up. I've coached some of the best players and she takes a back seat to no one in regards to competitiveness."

The Storm took the season series from the Silver Stars, giving them the crucial tiebreaker.

"This game was definitely high stakes because it had playoff implications," said Thompson, selected as an All-Star for the first time since 2009.

With the worst record in the league, the Sun (7-20) find themselves in an unfamiliar position after winning the Eastern Conference regular season title last season. They're all but guaranteed to miss the playoffs for just the third time in the last 11 years and have set a team record for losses.

Connecticut dropped a fifth straight contest for the first time since 2009 with a 91-78 defeat at Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The Sun received a big contribution from their reserves, getting 37 points, including a season-high 19 from Iziane Castro Marques in 24 minutes. However, that wasn't enough to overcome a 17-for-49 shooting performance from the team's starters.

Tina Charles scored 18 but was 8 for 21. She's shooting a career-low 40.1 percent from the field, including 37.9 in her last eight contests.

Thompson scored a team-high 17 as Seattle hit 50.0 percent of its shots in a 78-66 win at Connecticut on June 16. Charles went 5 of 18, finishing with 15 points and six rebounds.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday, August 29

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Connecticut - 10:00 PM ET Seattle -7 500


Seattle - Under 142 500

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Fever (12-15) at Liberty (11-17)

Date: August 30, 2013 7:30 PM EDT


Both the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty have played poorly recently, leaving their potential playoff fates in precarious positions.

Friday night's meeting will result in either the visiting Fever increasing their edge over the Liberty or seeing that lead shrink to the narrowest of margins.

The clubs have each lost four of five, though Indiana (12-15) owns a 1 1/2-game lead over New York for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.

A victory for the Liberty (11-17) would not only tie them with the Fever in the win column, but it would give New York the tiebreaker should the teams finish even in the standings. The Liberty took two of three earlier meetings, including a 75-68 overtime win at home on June 5 and a 77-72 victory at Indiana on July 23.

The Fever won 74-53 at New York on July 13 but enter this matchup having lost four straight on the road, including an 84-77 defeat at Minnesota on Saturday. They surrendered a career-high 35 points to Maya Moore while letting the Lynx shoot a season-high 57.8 percent from the floor.

Indiana lost despite a 10-of-20 3-point performance as Tamika Catchings and Shavonte Zellous combined to go 6 for 8. The Fever rank second in the WNBA with a 34.7 percentage from beyond the arc.

"At the end of the day I thought we put ourselves in a position to maybe steal a game, but we had a missed layup here or a stupid turnover there," said coach Lin Dunn, whose team was in a 72-all tie midway through the fourth.

While Indiana has had problems on the road, the Liberty have struggled at home, losing six of seven there following a 73-47 defeat to Minnesota on Tuesday. They missed their first 10 shots and hit 25.0 percent for the game.

"We laid an egg tonight but at the same time we come up to a bunch of basketball games now where if you look at a piece of paper we can win every one," coach Bill Laimbeer said. "We have to want it bad enough to compete for 40 minutes. We'll take our chances when we compete for an entire game."

Cappie Pondexter scored a team-high 13 points and is 24 shy of becoming the league's 12th player to reach the 5,000-point plateau.

Fever guard Erin Phillips (6.9 ppg), who missed Saturday's contest due to a right knee injury, is listed as day-to-day.

Indiana owns a 30-20 advantage in the all-time series, including 29-12 since 2003.

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WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 23, 2013 Score ATS Results
NEW « 77 Cover: 12
IND 72 Over: 149
Tools: Recaps

Jul 13, 2013 Score ATS Results
IND « 74 Cover: 23.5
NEW 53 Under: 127
Tools: Recaps

Jun 5, 2013 Score ATS Results
IND 68 Under: 143
NEW « 75 Cover: 12
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Silver Stars (10-18) at Shock (9-19)

Date: August 30, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


After a physical and disheartening loss to the team they're pursuing for the final Western Conference playoff berth, the San Antonio Silver Stars have nothing to do but try and get back on track in the increasingly desperate chase.

That might not be easy to do Friday night against the Tulsa Shock, who despite being in last place have shown considerable improvement lately.

San Antonio (10-18) defeated Seattle 70-64 to open a critical home-and-home set Sunday but couldn't complete a badly needed sweep Tuesday, falling 72-71. The loss left the Silver Stars needing to win almost all of their remaining six games to have any chance of catching the fourth-place Storm.

San Antonio outscored Seattle 7-2 in the final 23.8 seconds Tuesday. Shenise Johnson made a 3-pointer, then stole the inbounds pass from Tina Thompson and fed Jia Perkins for a 3 that pulled San Antonio within a point with 1.7 seconds remaining.

Perkins stole the ensuing inbounds pass, but the contest was ruled over after a chaotic sequence in which the game clock didn't start.

"We just ran out of time," said Perkins, who had team highs of 17 points and six steals.

That could also end up describing the Silver Stars' season unless they get on a roll and the Storm struggle down the stretch. San Antonio has lost three of four.

"We're gonna keep playing until we're told that it's time to go home, and that's the last game of the season," Perkins said. "We love playing this game, we're competitors, so right now we're just gonna keep competing and just see what happens."

The Silver Stars' previous loss came last Friday by a 73-67 score at Tulsa, which has put together a relatively impressive 2-2 stretch. The Shock (9-19) won at WNBA-leading Minnesota on Aug. 16, lost by three to Phoenix on Aug. 20 just before beating San Antonio and nearly knocked off another West powerhouse on the road Sunday, falling 90-88 in double overtime to Los Angeles.

Tulsa led the Sparks by 19 after three quarters, but lost leading scorer Liz Cambage to a left ankle sprain with 6:35 remaining in regulation. Candice Wiggins, who forced the second OT on a 3-pointer with 7.9 seconds remaining, paced the Shock with 20 points.

"It feels like we won this game, honestly," Wiggins said. " ... I'm so proud of us - how we fought. Two overtimes against a really tough team. They're right there in the playoff hunt. We battled, but it's sad.

"But again, I don't feel sad, because I'm really proud of how we played."

The status of Cambage and the Silver Stars' Johnson, who received a crushing elbow from Thompson to her neck and jaw, is uncertain for Friday.

Cambage scored 20 points against San Antonio last week and Wiggins had 16. The Silver Stars took the first meeting of the season 69-65 at home Aug. 4 behind 18 points from Perkins and 19 and nine assists from currently injured guard Danielle Robinson.

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WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 23, 2013 Score ATS Results
SA 67 Cover: 1
TUL « 73 Under: 140
Tools: Recaps

Aug 4, 2013 Score ATS Results
TUL 65 Under: 134
SA « 69 Cover: 5.5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Friday, August 30

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Indiana - 7:30 PM ET Indiana -3.5 500 POD # 3

New York - Under 137.5 500 POD # 4


San Antonio - 8:00 PM ET San Antonio +6 500 POD # 1

Tulsa - Under 147.5 500 POD # 2

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Indiana at New York
The Fever look to take advantage of a New York team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 home games. Indiana is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Fever favored by 5. Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-3 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

Game 651-652: Indiana at New York (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 110.683; New York 105.458
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 5; 144
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 3 1/2; 138 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-3 1/2); Over

Game 653-654: San Antonio at Tulsa (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 111.045; Tulsa 109.800
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 1; 143
Vegas Line & Total: Tulsa by 6 1/2; 148 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+6 1/2); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, August 30

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INDIANA (12 - 15) at NEW YORK (11 - 17) - 8/30/2013, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 82-55 ATS (+21.5 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1997.
NEW YORK is 35-19 ATS (+14.1 Units) after scoring 55 points or less since 1997.

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

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SAN ANTONIO (10 - 18) at TULSA (9 - 19) - 8/30/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 27-15 ATS (+10.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 9-2 against the spread versus TULSA over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 9-2 straight up against TULSA 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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WNBA

Friday, August 30

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Trend Report
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7:30 PM
INDIANA vs. NEW YORK
Indiana is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Indiana's last 15 games when playing New York
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New York's last 9 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New York's last 8 games at home

8:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. TULSA
San Antonio is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing Tulsa
Tulsa is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tulsa's last 5 games when playing San Antonio

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Storm (15-14) at Lynx (21-7)

Date: August 31, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


It's very possible the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm will meet in the opening round of the playoffs for the second straight year.

Oddly, these teams are now beginning what may seem like a playoff series.

Tina Thompson and the rejuvenated Storm play their next three games against Maya Moore and the league-best Lynx, starting Saturday night in Minneapolis.

The Storm (15-14) own the Western Conference's fourth and final playoff spot but are within percentage points of Phoenix for third place. Minnesota (21-7) is atop the West with a one-game lead on Los Angeles.

Before a possible first-round postseason rematch in a few weeks - the Lynx ousted Seattle 2-1 last year - the teams will meet three times in the next 11 days. Following Saturday's matchup, the Storm don't play again until hosting Minnesota on Aug. 7 and 10. The Lynx's only other game before heading to Seattle is against Los Angeles on Wednesday.

"We're going to do the best we can to rest up and prepare for Minnesota for these next three games," Seattle's Camille Little said Thursday after scoring 18 points in a 78-65 win over Connecticut. "It's going to be tough, but we have two at home and we're going to try to get one on the road."

The bad news for the Storm is that Minnesota would have home-court advantage for a potential playoff series, and they've lost eight straight in Minneapolis - including the postseason - since July 17, 2010. That's where the teams' only meeting this season was played, and the Lynx cruised to a 90-72 victory Aug. 4.

Thompson was held to 12 points that day but has gotten on a roll, helping push Seattle above .500 for the first time since June 21. The Storm have won five of six as the 38-year-old Thompson has averaged 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds.

"She's a leader and a winner," coach Brian Agler said. "If there's one word I could say about her it's she's a winner. It's all about winning, playing well and focus. She's putting her stamp on this team."

That's what Moore has done for Minnesota. The reigning WNBA player of the week was held to 11 points in the Lynx's only game this week after averaging 23.3 in the previous eight games, but she grabbed 10 rebounds and keyed a 73-47 win at New York on Tuesday.

"She was struggling offensively but found different ways to impact the game," coach Cheryl Reeve said. "Deflections, hustle plays, she's a winner and that's what winners do."

Lindsay Whalen led the Lynx with 18 points Tuesday, and she scored 22 in the first meeting with Seattle while Seimone Augustus added 18 and Moore had 16. Shekinna Stricklen paced Seattle with 24 points.

Moore, who scored a career-high 35 in Saturday's win over Indiana, has lifted the Lynx to three straight wins following a 1-4 slump.

"You always have to find ways to help your team," Moore said. "Sometimes it's scoring, but it's always working hard."

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WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 4, 2013 Score ATS Results
SEA 72 Over: 162
MIN « 90 Cover: 5
Tools: Recaps

Oct 2, 2012 Score ATS Results
SEA 72 Cover: 9.5
MIN « 73 Under: 145
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sparks (20-8) at Silver Stars (10-18)

Date: August 31, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


If they hope to secure the top seed in the West Conference, the Los Angeles Sparks will likely have to get back to winning on the road.

The Sparks begin a key four-game road swing Saturday night when they visit the San Antonio Silver Stars, who will try to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention.

Los Angeles (20-8) is one game behind Minnesota for first place in the West following Tuesday's 91-78 win over visiting Connecticut and Minnesota's victory over New York.

Candace Parker had 28 points, seven assists and six rebounds, Nneka Ogwumike had 20 points and 12 rebounds and Lindsey Harding added 18 points to lead the Sparks.

"I'm starting out in the point guard," said Harding after her highest scoring total since a season-high 22 on June 23. "I've got to be aggressive to be successful, and hopefully the team will follow that lead.'

Parker has certainly been aggressive of late, totaling 54 points on 22-of-40 shooting with 17 rebounds and 16 assists in her last two games. The WNBA All-Star Game MVP also had a memorable performance with 27 points and 20 rebounds - the 13th 20-20 game in league history - go for naught in an 83-78 loss at San Antonio on June 1.

Los Angeles, which has the most home wins in the WNBA at 13-2, has won seven of nine road games but had its four-game run there snapped Aug. 20 in a 77-57 defeat at Seattle. Parker was held to nine points on 4-of-10 shooting in that defeat and has averaged 11.3 her last four road games, compared to 22.8 per game in her last five at home.

The Silver Stars (11-18) overcame Parker's effort in June with Shenise Johnson scoring a season-high 19 points and Danielle Robinson adding 18. San Antonio, which trails fourth-place Seattle by four games with five remaining, kept its faint playoff hopes alive with Friday's 74-65 win at Tulsa.

Jia Perkins led the way with 19 points and Johnson contributed 13 as the Silver Stars eliminated the Shock from the playoff race. Even with a victory in this game, San Antonio itself would be eliminated if Seattle defeats Minnesota.

While All-Star Sophia Young has missed the entire season due to injury and fellow All-Star Becky Hammon sidelined all but one game, Robinson's status is uncertain after missing the past four contests with a knee injury.

"This team has fought through a lot this season with injuries and adversity," coach Dan Hughes said. "Our record is very deceiving of the type of team this is.'

In addition to Parker, Hughes' club will have to contend with fellow All-Star Ogwumike. The forward had season highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds in a 93-66 home win July 6 in the most recent meeting between the teams.

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WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 6, 2013 Score ATS Results
SA 66 Under: 159
LOS « 93 Cover: 15
Tools: Recaps

Jun 15, 2013 Score ATS Results
SA 48 Under: 132
LOS « 84 Cover: 26.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 1, 2013 Score ATS Results
LOS 78 Under: 161
SA « 83 Cover: 15.5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dream (14-12) at Sky (20-8)

Date: August 31, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


The Chicago Sky can wrap up the top seed in the Eastern Conference with another win over the slumping Atlanta Dream, and it's unclear if they'll have to face the WNBA's leading scorer during that attempt.

With Angel McCoughtry's status uncertain, the Sky will try to match the longest win streak in team history by sending the Dream to a fourth straight loss Saturday night.

Chicago (20-8) got a dominant defensive effort and 25 points from Elena Delle Donne in a 67-56 victory at Atlanta last Saturday. The Sky shot 35.9 percent but held the Dream (14-12) to a franchise-worst 28.6 while ending a four-game skid in the series.

Atlanta's 56 points matched the fewest in its history.

"I think the effort we've been trying to get consistent is on the defensive end of the floor," coach Pokey Chatman said. "There's going to be night where you can execute and the ball doesn't fall."

The win clinched home-court advantage for Chicago in the first round of the playoffs, and another victory will help it move closer to securing that edge for the entire Eastern Conference postseason.

The Sky lead Atlanta by five games, though the Dream have eight left to play, two more than Chicago.

Even with a loss Saturday, Atlanta could forge a tie in the head-to-head series with a road victory Sept. 13. The Dream, however, need a win to avoid losing the second tiebreaker, conference victories.

Chicago can earn its 15th win over an East opponent Saturday while Atlanta would fall to 10-8 in conference games with four remaining. The Sky are also looking to match a franchise-best six-game win streak from May 30-June 13, 2012.

McCoughtry may not be available to help stop that from happening. The forward, averaging 22.0 points, injured her right ankle in overtime of an 85-80 loss to Washington on Wednesday.

"She rolled her ankle a little bit," coach Fred Williams said.

Atlanta was also missing three of its other top seven scorers in Sancho Lyttle, Tiffany Hayes and Armintie Herrington.

McCoughtry scored 23 points Wednesday and had 20 in the loss to the Sky despite missing 20 of 26 shots. She sat out the third quarter against Chicago because of a balky knee.

McCoughtry's ailments have appeared to affect her shooting of late. She's made 31.8 percent in her last four games and gone 1 for 17 from 3-point range in her past five.

Atlanta suffered its only four-game skid of the season during a road trip July 9-21 and has dropped a team-worst eight straight away from home.

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WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 24, 2013 Score ATS Results
CHI « 67 Cover: 15
ATL 56 Under: 123
Tools: Recaps

Jun 16, 2013 Score ATS Results
CHI 74 Over: 162
ATL « 88 Cover: 8.5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sun (7-21) at Mercury (14-13)

Date: August 31, 2013 10:00 PM EDT


The Phoenix Mercury will have had seven days off to ponder their second loss in three games. Their interim coach has certainly been thinking about it.

The Mercury look to bounce back after their extended break and put an end to their recent sloppy play when they host the WNBA-worst Connecticut Sun on Saturday night.

Phoenix (14-13) committed 16 turnovers in an 81-73 home defeat to Seattle last Friday, the same number it had in an 88-82 loss to San Antonio on Aug. 17.

Against the Storm, the club had five giveaways in the first quarter, when it made eight of its first nine shots. Seattle scored 19 points off turnovers overall.

The Mercury are struggling to hold off the surging Storm for the third seed in the Western Conference, leading them by percentage points.

"The thing that bothers me is that it's the little things right now that's keeping this Phoenix Mercury team from being great," interim coach Russ Pennell said after Phoenix fell to 4-2 under him.

"(We're) very talented, have a lot of positives, but it's the little things that are killing us right now. We're not boxing out, we're turning the ball over at an alarming rate."

Top overall draft pick Brittney Griner, in particular, has drawn Pennell's ire.

"She's going to have to start doing some things we ask and she's going to have to start paying attention to detail and I think she will," he said. "She wants to do it. ... I'm not calling out Brittney here in front of the press, but frankly, she does need to improve and this is not anything I haven't told her."

The 6-foot-8 Griner leads the league with 2.8 blocks per game but has only five over the last four games. She had 12 points and five rebounds against the Storm but committed five turnovers.

Diana Taurasi also struggled, scoring 16 points - more than five below her average - and going 4 of 13 from the field with seven assists as Seattle hounded her defensively.

"They made it hard for us to do anything on the offensive end," Taurasi said.

The Sun (7-21) haven't done that to opponents much lately, allowing 86 or more points in five of their last seven games. Connecticut didn't give up that many Thursday but didn't score much, either, falling 78-65 to the Storm for its sixth straight loss.

The defending Eastern Conference regular season champions cut a 17-point halftime deficit to nine after three periods but couldn't get any closer.

"We got into a hole and when we get into a hole we have to at least make shots," center Tina Charles said. "We weren't making shots so the hole just kept getting bigger and bigger."

The Sun made 37.7 percent from the field and allowed Seattle to make 48.9.

Phoenix won the first meeting of the season 89-70 on June 29. Charles scored a game-high 25 but only one other Sun player was in double figures, and Connecticut shot 26.9 percent to the Mercury's 47.0.

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[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, August 31

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LOS ANGELES (20 - 8) at SAN ANTONIO (11 - 18) - 8/31/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 14-27 ATS (-15.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest this season.
LOS ANGELES is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 30-49 ATS (-23.9 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 11-26 ATS (-17.6 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 7-5 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-6 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SEATTLE (15 - 14) at MINNESOTA (21 - 7) - 8/31/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.

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

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ATLANTA (14 - 12) at CHICAGO (20 - 8) - 8/31/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in road games after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 18-10 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all games this season.
CHICAGO is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in August or September games this season.
ATLANTA is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) in road games revenging a home loss versus opponent since 1997.
ATLANTA is 30-14 ATS (+14.6 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-5 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 7-4 straight up against CHICAGO 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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CONNECTICUT (7 - 21) at PHOENIX (14 - 13) - 8/31/2013, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 10-18 ATS (-9.8 Units) in all games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
CONNECTICUT is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
CONNECTICUT is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 93-63 ATS (+23.7 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 36-20 ATS (+14.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games since 1997.
PHOENIX is 21-39 ATS (-21.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 9-21 ATS (-14.1 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) in August or September games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 13-25 ATS (-14.5 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 17-33 ATS (-19.3 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 7-22 ATS (-17.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.

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



WNBA
Dunkel

Atlanta at Chicago
The Sky look to take advantage of an Atlanta team that is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 road games. Chicago is the pick (-7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Sky favored by 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-7 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31

Game 601-602: Los Angeles at San Antonio (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 117.541; San Antonio 107.760
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 10; 151
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 8 1/2; 155
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-8 1/2); Under

Game 603-604: Seattle at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 113.177; Minnesota 116.838
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 3 1/2; 152
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 12; 147 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+12); Over

Game 605-606: Atlanta at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 109.781; Chicago 120.084
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 10 1/2; 159
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 7 1/2; 152
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-7 1/2); Over

Game 607-608: Connecticut at Phoenix (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 105.038; Phoenix 115.242
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 10; 152
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 11 1/2; 157 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+11 1/2); Under




WNBA

Saturday, August 31

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Seattle's last 10 games on the road
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

8:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. CHICAGO
Atlanta is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta

8:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. SAN ANTONIO
Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Los Angeles's last 9 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of San Antonio's last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 9 games when playing Los Angeles
See more trends!

10:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. PHOENIX
Connecticut is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Connecticut's last 13 games on the road
Phoenix is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Phoenix is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday, August 31

Game Score Status Pick Amount


Los Angeles - 8:00 PM ET San Antonio +8 500 POD # 3
San Antonio - Over 155 500


Seattle - 8:00 PM ET Minnesota -11.5 500 POD # 1
Minnesota - Under 147 500


Atlanta - 8:00 PM ET Chicago -7.5 500 POD # 2
Chicago - Over 152 500


Connecticut - 10:00 PM ET Phoenix -11.5 500 POD # 4
Phoenix - Under 157.5 500