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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Liberty (11-18) at Shock (9-20)

Date: September 01, 2013 4:30 PM EDT


The New York Liberty desperately need a win to lift their fading Eastern Conference playoff hopes. They'll try to earn that when they visit the last-place team in the West.

The Liberty will try to collect only their second victory in seven games Sunday against the Tulsa Shock, losers in six of eight.

New York's chances of making a fourth straight postseason appearance took a big hit Friday with a 73-67 loss to Indiana. The result dropped the Liberty (11-18) to 2 1/2 games behind the Fever for the final playoff spot in the East with five games remaining.

New York was down 21-4 in the first quarter against Indiana before rallying to take a brief lead entering the final period. The Liberty, however, couldn't overcome the Fever's 10-0 run to start that quarter.

"We keep digging ourselves these weird holes," forward/center Kelsey Bone said. "Same result in a loss, but we're fighting. We didn't just lay down. Now we've got to figure out a way to come out strong."

Liberty leading scorer Cappie Pondexter is partly responsible for the team's struggles. Pondexter, scoring 17.3 points per game this season, is averaging 9.4 in her last five contests and shooting 24.2 percent (16 for 66).

Pondexter, who is 17 points shy of 5,000 for her career, had seven points on 1-of-12 shooting against Indiana but made a big shot against Tulsa on May 31. Her jumper with 0.5 seconds left in overtime gave the Liberty a 78-76 win.

Pondexter made six of 14 shots against the Shock and finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The currently injured Essence Carson had a team-best 18 and Liz Cambage led Tulsa with 22 points.

Cambage averaged 22.7 points over a three-game stretch before being held to eight in a 90-88 loss to Los Angeles last Sunday. She was held out of a 74-65 defeat to San Antonio on Friday with an ankle injury and her status is unknown for this game.

With Cambage and point guard Angel Goodrich (illness) out, coach Gary Kloppenburg went to a three-guard lineup that featured rookie Skylar Diggins, who made her first start since July 13. Tulsa couldn't recover after being outscored 28-13 in the second quarter and was eliminated from playoff contention.

"It's been an uphill battle with this young team," Kloppenburg said. "We knew this young team was going to go through some growing pains as they learned how to win. We're going to keep battling over the next five games."

The Liberty have won six of the past seven meetings with the Shock but lost 78-66 in their most recent visit to Tulsa on Sept. 20.

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WNBA
Dunkel

New York at Tulsa
The Shock look to take advantage of a New York team that is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games against Western Conference opponents. Tulsa is the pick (-4) according to Dunkel, which has the Shock favored by 12. Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (-4). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Game 651-652: New York at Tulsa (4:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New York 101.458; Tulsa 113.314
Dunkel Line & Total: Tulsa by 12; 154
Vegas Line & Total: Tulsa by 4; 148
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (-4); Over




WNBA
Long Sheet

Sunday, September 1

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NEW YORK (11 - 18) at TULSA (9 - 20) - 9/1/2013, 4:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 67-44 ATS (+18.6 Units) in road games against Western conference opponents since 1997.
NEW YORK is 67-44 ATS (+18.6 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.

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

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WNBA

Sunday, September 1

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Trend Report
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4:30 PM
NEW YORK vs. TULSA
New York is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Tulsa
New York is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Tulsa
Tulsa is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games when playing New York
Tulsa is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against New York

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday, September 1

Game Score Status Pick Amount

New York - 4:30 PM ET Tulsa -4 500 POD # 1


Tulsa - Over 147.5 500 POD # 2

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sparks (21-8) at Dream (14-13)

Date: September 02, 2013 6:00 PM EDT


While the Los Angeles Sparks appear to be getting stronger with the regular season winding down, the injury-plagued Atlanta Dream are headed in the opposite direction.

The visiting Sparks try to keep rolling Monday when they visit the Dream, who hope to avoid losing five straight for the first time in five years.

Los Angeles (21-8) has proven nearly unbeatable over the last four weeks, going 9-1 to secure its 13th playoff berth in 15 seasons. The Sparks, averaging 87.0 points during a three-game winning streak, beat San Antonio 80-67 on Saturday to open a four-game road trip.

Nneka Ogwumike led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Candace Parker added 12 and 11 along with six assists. The Sparks outscored the Silver Stars 48-26 in the paint and held a 20-11 edge in transition.

"L.A. is a good basketball team," San Antonio coach Dan Hughes said. "Give them a lot of credit from the standpoint of their ability to attack you in the full court and half court. They kept coming, they're healthy and they're fresh right now. They're an impressive team."

The Dream (14-13), in contrast, haven't seen much go their way of late. Atlanta has dropped 12 of 16 dating to July 9, a stretch during which it has endured three four-game losing streaks. The Dream haven't lost five in a row since going 4-30 during their inaugural 2008 season.

They've been outscored by an average of 10.8 points during the current skid, including Saturday's 85-68 loss at Chicago. Alex Bentley had 19 points and Angel McCoughtry, leading the league with 21.8 points per game, finished with 17 off the bench.

McCoughtry, who didn't start due to an injured right ankle, was limited to 25 minutes. The Dream were also missing fellow starters Sancho Lyttle (foot) and Armintie Harrington (concussion), as well as reserve Tiffany Hayes (knee).

While McCoughtry figures to continue playing through her injury, Lyttle, Harrington and Hayes are all uncertain to be available.

"It hurts but everybody's banged up at this point of the season," McCoughtry said. "You've just got to try to dig deep and get through the game."

After watching the Sky lock up home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Dream are hoping to hold off Washington and Indiana for the No. 2 seed. Atlanta sits one game ahead of the Mystics and 1 1/2 in front of the Fever.

The Dream had taken six straight from Los Angeles before dropping the last two meetings, including a 77-73 road loss July 17. McCoughtry had a game-high 24 points and Erika de Souza added 15 with a season-best 18 boards, but Atlanta was limited to 35.6 percent shooting.

The Sparks have lost three straight at Philips Arena, falling 92-59 during their last visit June 15, 2012.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Los Angeles at Atlanta
The Sparks look to take advantage of an Atlanta team that is coming off an 85-68 loss at Chicago and is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games following a SU defeat. Los Angeles is the pick (-2) according to Dunkel, which has the Sparks favored by 4. Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-2). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Game 601-602: Los Angeles at Atlanta (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 116.541; Atlanta 112.712
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 4; 160
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 2; 155
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-2); Over




WNBA

Monday, September 2

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Trend Report
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6:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. ATLANTA
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Los Angeles
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

[StarDust Bum]

Monday, September 2

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Los Angeles - 6:00 PM ET Los Angeles -2.5 500 POD # 1

Atlanta - Under 155.5 500 POD # 2

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Fever (13-15) at Dream (15-13)

Date: September 04, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


While Atlanta moves closer to clinching a fifth straight postseason berth, the Dream are one team the Indiana Fever hope to catch as they try to improve their playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

The Fever, however, will be trying to avoid a fourth consecutive regular-season road loss to the Dream on Wednesday night.

Atlanta (15-13) averaged 67.0 points during a four-game slide that ended when it shot 53.2 percent in a 92-82 home win over Los Angeles on Monday. Erika de Souza had a season-high 27 points, Jasmine Thomas added 19 and Angel McCoughtry overcame six turnovers to score 16.

The Dream have won five times in their last 17 contests.

"This feels so good,' said McCoughtry, averaging a league-leading 21.6 points. "To get a win creates such a different atmosphere. We have to build off this.'

Second in the East to a Chicago team that's clinched home-court advantage throughout the conference playoffs, Atlanta is 1 1/2 games ahead of Washington and two in front of fourth-place Indiana (13-15).

The Fever won for the second time in three contests following a three-game skid, 73-67 to New York on Friday to snap a four-game road losing streak. Tamika Catchings had 22 points with 10 rebounds and Shavonte Zellous scored 21 for Indiana, which needed a 10-0 fourth-quarter run to win after blowing a 17-point lead.

Indiana holds a three-game lead over the Liberty for the final postseason spot in the East.

"We're fighting not only to get in the playoffs, but for positioning,' Fever coach Lin Dunn said. "We don't want to just get in, we want to get the high seed that we can get, so we're fighting for everything.'

Though Atlanta has taken two of three matchups between the clubs in 2013, Indiana won 80-66 at home in the most recent meeting Aug. 10.

Averaging 21.0 points and 44.6 percent shooting in her last four games, Catchings had 21 against Atlanta last month and has totaled 41 in two games versus Dream this season. A back injury kept her out of a 76-60 loss at Atlanta on June 25.

McCoughtry scored 29 during an 86-77 win at Indiana on May 31, but she's totaled 33 points despite going 12 of 24 from the field in the last two meetings.

Though the Fever won 103-88 at Atlanta in the 2012 conference semifinals, they've dropped eight of nine regular-season games there.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sparks (21-9) at Lynx (22-7)

Date: September 04, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


Minnesota wants opponents to know that beating the Lynx at Target Center won't be easy.

The Los Angeles Sparks don't need to be reminded.

Looking to get a step closer to clinching home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs, the Lynx try for an eighth consecutive home win over the second-place Sparks on Wednesday night.

A winner in four straight by an average of 17.5 points, Minnesota (22-7) made a season-high 41 field goals during Saturday's 97-74 home rout of Seattle.

With a 13-2 record at Target Center, the Lynx are tied with Los Angeles (21-9) for the best home record in the league. They're averaging 89.7 points on 54.1 percent shooting during a three-game home winning streak that followed a stunning 83-77 loss to lowly Tulsa in Minneapolis on Aug. 16.

"Particularly at the Target Center we want to send those messages to every team that plays here," said Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve, whose team has a 1 1/2-game lead over the Sparks in the West.

"You're going to have to play really well to come in here and beat us.'

Los Angeles has won two of the three meetings this season with Minnesota, with those wins by a combined margin of 65 points at Staples Center. The Lynx, however, have won their last seven home contests against the Sparks, including the playoffs, by an average margin of 15.6 points. Minnesota led 44-30 at halftime and held Los Angeles to 36.9 percent shooting during an 88-64 home victory June 28.

"(The Lynx) have the best record in the league right now,' said Sparks star Candace Parker, who has totaled 44 points in the last two with Minnesota. "That in itself, we have to come to the gym ready to play."

Lynx forward Maya Moore has totaled 21 points on 8-of-27 shooting - 1 for 10 from 3-point range - versus Los Angeles this season, but has scored at least 30 in her last two home games and made 8 of 12 from long distance in her last three overall.

"It's always good to be confident on the offensive end,' said Moore, who scored 25 of her 30 in the first half and went 12 of 15 from the floor Saturday. "I just want to make sure our offensive flow is the best it can be. If that means me scoring the ball, I'll score the ball.'

Minnesota has connected on 45.2 percent (52 of 115) of its 3-point attempts over the last 10 games.

Los Angeles held Atlanta to 2-of-11 shooting from 3 on Monday, but the Dream shot 52.3 percent overall in handing the visitors a 92-82 loss. Parker had 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, but the Sparks trailed by 11 after a quarter and 16 at the half en route to losing for the second time in 11 games.

"We can't expect to dig ourselves a hole like that and throw a Hail Mary at the end," Parker said.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Indiana at Atlanta
The Fever look to take advantage of an Atlanta team that is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games against a team with a losing SU record. Indiana is the pick (+4) according to Dunkel, which has the Dream favored by only 2. Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+4). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Game 651-652: Indiana at Atlanta (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 110.513; Atlanta 112.712
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 2; 148
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 4; 144
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+4); Over

Game 653-654: Los Angeles at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 112.241; Minnesota 121.544
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 9 1/2; 154
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 7; 161
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-7); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, September 4

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INDIANA (13 - 15) at ATLANTA (15 - 13) - 9/4/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 91-129 ATS (-50.9 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
INDIANA is 35-54 ATS (-24.4 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
INDIANA is 65-91 ATS (-35.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games since 1997.
ATLANTA is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.
ATLANTA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 10-8 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 11-7 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LOS ANGELES (21 - 9) at MINNESOTA (22 - 7) - 9/4/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 15-28 ATS (-15.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in road games after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 65-48 ATS (+12.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 36-22 ATS (+11.8 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 7-7 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 9-5 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Wednesday, September 4

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
INDIANA vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 5 games
Indiana is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Atlanta is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games at home
Atlanta is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Indiana
See more trends!

8:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. MINNESOTA
Los Angeles is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Los Angeles is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday, September 4

Game Score Status Pick Amount

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

Atlanta - Under 144 500 POD # 2


Los Angeles - 8:00 PM ET Minnesota -7 500 POD # 3

Minnesota - Under 161 500 POD # 4

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mystics (14-15) at Sun (7-22)

Date: September 06, 2013 7:00 PM EDT


Backed by an uncharacteristically strong road stretch, the Washington Mystics are on the verge of clinching their first Eastern Conference playoff appearance in three seasons.

The Connecticut Sun are simply trying to avoid the longest losing streak in franchise history.

While they'll need some help to make it official, the Mystics hope to do their part with their fourth win in five road games Friday night against the WNBA-worst Sun.

Washington (14-15), third in the East, can wrap up its first postseason berth since 2010 with a victory at Connecticut and a New York loss to Atlanta. The Mystics also have a chance to gain ground on the Dream for the second seed, trailing by two games with five remaining.

"It's a great feeling because the past two years have been pretty bad," said Crystal Langhorne, who had 18 points and nine rebounds to key the Mystics' 74-63 home win over Connecticut on Aug. 11.

Langhorne also finished with 10 points and 10 boards as Washington continued its recent road surge with an 85-80 overtime victory at Atlanta on Aug. 28.

After dropping 31 of 34 away from home the previous two seasons, the Mystics have improved to 6-9 this year. They've won three of their last four on the road during a 5-2 run overall.

"This team is learning to be resilient,' said coach Mike Thibault, who held the same position with the Sun from 2003-12. "A year ago, from watching them afar, these are the games they couldn't win, but we found a way to win those this year.'

Monique Currie, Tayler Hill and Ivory Latta each had 15 points last week in Atlanta to lead the Mystics. Since totaling 18 points over a three-game span, Currie has regrouped by scoring 30 on 9-of-19 shooting in her last two.

Washington snapped a nine-game skid against the Sun (7-22) with a 66-62 victory in Thibault's return to Connecticut on June 7. Latta had 17 as the Mystics closed that game on a 15-2 run.

Connecticut has dropped seven straight overall by an average of 14.0 points, matching the franchise record for consecutive losses set from July 21-Aug. 4, 2000. The Sun were eliminated from the playoff race with a 76-68 loss at Phoenix on Saturday.

"We gave up a couple of (offensive) boards that were a huge difference down the stretch,' coach Anne Donovan said. "We had some good looks but it was defensively that we had some lapses at the end.'

Tina Charles, who led the Sun with 16 points and 13 rebounds, ranks second in the league in rebounding (10.1 per game) and is tied for sixth in scoring (18.0 ppg). The All-Star center has certainly given the Mystics trouble, totaling 39 points and 24 rebounds against them.

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WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 11, 2013 Score ATS Results
CONN 63 Under: 137
WAS « 74 Cover: 6.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 7, 2013 Score ATS Results
WAS « 66 Cover: 11
CONN 62 Under: 128
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dream (16-13) at Liberty (11-19)

Date: September 06, 2013 7:30 PM EDT


The New York Liberty's surprising road victory over the Atlanta Dream nearly a month ago seemed to boost their chances of a fourth consecutive playoff appearance, but an ensuing slump has put a damper on that possibility.

Atlanta has secured a playoff berth but is still eyeing home-court advantage in the first round, while New York looks to bolster its slim playoff hopes by winning for the third time in four meetings with Dream this season Friday night.

Cappie Pondexter's 33 points helped spark the Liberty (11-19) to an 88-82 victory Aug. 11, Atlanta's first home defeat of the season. It was their second win over the Dream after a 76-67 victory June 9 that was Atlanta's lone loss during a 10-1 start.

New York, though, has dropped six of seven since that last meeting and is 2 1/2 games behind fourth-place Indiana for the final Eastern Conference postseason berth with four games left. It has a chance to pick up ground when it faces the Fever on Sept. 13, with the contest against the Dream and a meeting with Phoenix on Tuesday coming before that matchup.

Pondexter scored 20 points Sunday to become the 12th player in WNBA history to reach the 5,000-point mark, but the Liberty fell 93-88 to Tulsa. She averaged 9.4 points while shooting 24.2 percent over her previous five.

Kara Braxton also scored 20 against the Shock.

"We had our moments, but we haven't been able to string together an entire game with intensity,' coach Bill Laimbeer said. "Our fourth quarter was by far our best quarter, but (Tulsa) made the plays late.'

Atlanta (16-13) ended a four-game skid with a 92-82 win over Los Angeles on Monday before clinching a fifth consecutive playoff spot with an 89-80 overtime win over Indiana on Wednesday.

Both victories came at home, where the Dream are 13-3. They lead Washington by two games for the second seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

Angel McCoughtry, the WNBA leader with 21.9 points a game, scored 30 on Wednesday. She is also averaging a league-best 2.9 steals and had two crucial takeaways that she converted into layups in the extra period.

"She said, `I'm going to step it up,' and she made some plays for us,' coach Fred Williams said.

Erika de Souza, who had 23 points and 10 boards in the last meeting with the Liberty, added 17 and 14 on Wednesday. The Dream made WNBA Finals appearances in 2010 and '11 before losing to Indiana in the first round last season, and they're hoping to avoid injury over their final five games as they seek another deep playoff run.

Forward Sancho Lyttle, who averages 14.3 points but has played only six games, underwent foot surgery in July. She could return in time for the postseason.

"We just want to get (to the playoffs) and get everyone healthy,' McCoughtry said.

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WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 11, 2013 Score ATS Results
NEW « 88 Cover: 14
ATL 82 Over: 170
Tools: Recaps

Jun 9, 2013 Score ATS Results
ATL 67 Under: 143
NEW « 76 Cover: 15
Tools: Recaps

Jun 7, 2013 Score ATS Results
NEW 56 Under: 131
ATL « 75 Cover: 8.5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sparks (21-10) at Shock (10-20)

Date: September 06, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


After losing twice during the month of August, the Los Angeles Sparks are still looking for their first win of September.

They'll try to avoid a season-high third straight defeat Friday night when they visit the upset-minded Tulsa Shock.

Los Angeles (21-10) went 9-2 in August, winning six in a row at one point and closing the month by averaging 87.0 points during a three-game winning streak. However, the Sparks opened September with a 92-82 loss at Atlanta on Monday, then fell 83-74 at WNBA-leading Minnesota on Wednesday.

Though the Sparks have already clinched a postseason berth, they dropped 2 1/2 games behind the Lynx in the race for home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs. Los Angeles last lost three in a row Aug. 30-Sept. 4, 2012.

The Sparks have not helped themselves by falling behind early in the last two contests - trailing by 16 points at halftime against the Dream and 12 at the break to Minnesota.

"We've had that throughout the season. We've had collapses in quarters,' said Sparks star Candace Parker, who had a game-high 25 points against the Lynx. "Every time we're trying to fight back in the fourth because we gave it away in the first or second quarter.'

Los Angeles is 3-1 against the last-place Shock (10-20) this season, and suffered a 96-89 loss at Tulsa on Aug. 2 while Parker sat with a wrist injury. In the three games she has played against the Shock in 2013, Parker averaged 24.3 points and 10.7 rebounds. She finished with 26, 11 boards and nine assists in a 90-88 home win over Tulsa on Aug. 25.

Though the Shock's postseason hopes have been dashed, they secured their first double-digit win season since relocating from Detroit in 2010 with Sunday's 93-88 home victory over a New York team fighting for a playoff spot.

"This feels great,' said guard Riquna Williams, who had 22 points and six assists. "We are riding high right now and we just want to keep this up. We know our playoff hopes are over. Now we want to crush other people's dreams.'

Candice Wiggins scored a game-high 25 points for Tulsa, which has a chance to win consecutive contests for the first time since a three-game winning streak from July 17-21.

Wiggins totaled 10 points in the first two games against the Sparks this season, but has 38 in the last two meetings. She finished with 20 points and eight rebounds at Los Angeles last month.

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WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 25, 2013 Score ATS Results
TUL 88 Cover: 9
LOS « 90 Over: 178
Tools: Recaps

Aug 2, 2013 Score ATS Results
LOS 89 Over: 185
TUL « 96 Cover: 15
Tools: Recaps

Jul 11, 2013 Score ATS Results
LOS « 94 Cover: 8.5
TUL 78 Over: 172
Tools: Recaps

Jun 8, 2013 Score ATS Results
TUL 69 Cover: 11
LOS « 76 Under: 145
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Fever (13-16) at Sky (21-8)

Date: September 06, 2013 8:30 PM EDT


Headed to the postseason for the first time in franchise history, the Chicago Sky's initial playoff opponent could be the reigning WNBA champion Indiana Fever.

Though the Sky are riding a season-high six-game winning streak, they'll look to avoid a fifth straight home defeat to the Fever on Friday night.

After failing to win more than 16 games in any of its previous seven seasons, Chicago (21-8) has already clinched home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs and remains in the mix with Minnesota for the league's best record.

"I think we have taken huge strides as a team but what's cooler about this is there's a lot more we can do and improve on,' said star rookie Elena Delle Donne, who averages a team-leading 18.3 points. "That's what you like to see at a time like this.'

Sylvia Fowles scored 18 and Delle Donne added 15 as the Sky used a 30-11 third-quarter scoring advantage to win 85-68 at home over Atlanta on Saturday in their most recent contest.

Chicago has averaged 87.5 points while winning four straight home games by an average margin of 13.5 since losing 64-58 there to Indiana (13-16) on Aug. 6.

The Sky won 71-61 on the road against an Indiana team minus star Tamika Catchings (18.0 points, 7.0 rebounds per game) on June 22. However, with Catchings totaling 35 points and 18 boards, Indiana held Chicago to a season-low 58 points apiece to win the last two meetings.

"We're always trying to concentrate on the next game and win that game,' Sky coach Pokey Chatman said. "We don't have the luxury of having things figured out, despite the good record and positive play.

"There's still a lot of growth and experience and minutes that we need to gather so we continue to be a better team.'

Delle Donne, who missed Chicago's 79-58 loss at Indiana on Aug. 3 with a concussion, has scored 25 points in two games against the Fever.

Indiana currently sits fourth in the East and would face the Sky to open the playoffs if the standings hold. The Fever are one game behind third-place Washington, but have dropped five of seven after Wednesday's 89-80 overtime loss at Atlanta.

Catchings had 22 points and became the eighth WNBA player with at least 2,000 career field goals. Erlana Larkins added 10 points with a career-high 17 rebounds, but Indiana stumbled in overtime after coming from nine down late in the third quarter.

"I thought we needed to win the ball game in regulation, but going into overtime - as far as the fatigue - this would really hurt us,' coach Lin Dunn said.

"We did everything we could do to win, so I'm very proud of our players."

The Fever hope to have point guard Briann January (9.0 points, 3.6 assists per game) back after she missed Wednesday's contest with an illness.

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WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 6, 2013 Score ATS Results
IND « 64 Cover: 12
CHI 58 Under: 122
Tools: Recaps

Aug 3, 2013 Score ATS Results
CHI 58 Under: 137
IND « 79 Cover: 18
Tools: Recaps

Jun 22, 2013 Score ATS Results
CHI « 71 Cover: 4
IND 61 Under: 132
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Silver Stars (11-19) at Mercury (15-13)

Date: September 06, 2013 10:00 PM EDT


The Phoenix Mercury are almost certainly headed for a playoff spot but surely would like to clinch it by knocking off the only team that can catch them.

The Mercury will try to lock up their fourth postseason berth in five years Friday night when they host the short-handed San Antonio Silver Stars, who hope to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Phoenix (15-13) is third in the Western Conference, five games ahead of fifth-place San Antonio (11-19). With fourth-place Seattle having wrapped up a playoff spot, the only way the Silver Stars can make the playoffs is if they win all of their remaining four games while the Mercury lose their final six.

San Antonio has won two of the teams' three meetings, and they play again Sept. 13 in Phoenix. The Silver Stars, losers of four of six, haven't missed the postseason since 2006.

The Mercury are 5-2 since Russ Pennell replaced former coach Corey Gaines on an interim basis Aug. 8, matching the best start to a head coaching tenure in franchise history. They're 4-1 at home with Pennell after going 4-6 under Gaines.

Candice Dupree and DeWanna Bonner each had 22 points as Phoenix took a step closer to the eighth playoff berth in franchise history with Saturday's 76-68 home win over Connecticut.

With star Diana Taurasi struggling, Bonner has stepped up with 42 points on 16-of-27 shooting - including six 3-pointers - in the last two games. Dupree, averaging 17.9 points over her last eight games, matched her previous season high set in an 88-80 loss to San Antonio on July 10.

Phoenix, however, turned the ball over 17 times Saturday, which could be a concern after committing 32 turnovers in two losses to the Silver Stars.

"They are not anything that anyone is forcing as much as our focus isn't good on that," Pennell said. "So we need to try and solve that problem before the next game."

The Silver Stars are coming off Saturday's 80-67 home loss to Los Angeles despite Jia Perkins' season-high 25 points. She's averaging 20.3 over the last three games.

Perkins finished with 17 points while Danielle Adams and Danielle Robinson had 20 apiece in an 88-82 win over visiting Phoenix on Aug. 17 in the last meeting. Adams has averaged 18.0 in the season series.

Robinson could miss a fifth straight game with a knee injury. Davellyn White had replaced her in the starting lineup but sat out Saturday with a leg injury, and the team announced Wednesday she is out for the season with a partially torn Achilles.

Those absences, along with All-Stars Sophia Young and Becky Hammon remaining out with knee injuries, left coach Dan Hughes with a thin bench Saturday.

"It was the small numbers," said Hughes, whose squad has dropped six of eight on the road. "You take Davellyn Whyte out and you can't play... so we're down to eight players."

The Mercury hope to get Taurasi back on track after she totaled 26 points on 6-of-20 shooting in the last two games. The league's second-leading scorer (20.7 ppg) had 23 points and seven assists in San Antonio last month.

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WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 17, 2013 Score ATS Results
PHO 82 Over: 170
SA « 88 Cover: 12.5
Tools: Recaps

Jul 10, 2013 Score ATS Results
SA « 88 Cover: 17.5
PHO 80 Over: 168
Tools: Recaps

Jun 25, 2013 Score ATS Results
PHO « 83 Cover: 0.5
SA 77 Under: 160
Tools: Recaps