Wnba 2014 season long hoops thread- picks, news, stats !

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sun (11-17) at Sparks (12-15)

Date: August 03, 2014 3:30 PM EDT


Needing to make up a slim deficit in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Connecticut Sun likely wouldn't mind seeing Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker miss another game.

The Sun were blown out at home last month with Parker on the floor, but it's unclear if she'll be available in Sunday's rematch.

Connecticut (11-17) trails fourth-place New York by just one game in the East but hasn't aided its playoff hopes by dropping 11 of 14. The Sun, though, did snap a four-game skid Friday with an 89-79 win over San Antonio, the second of three consecutive road games.

Chiney Ogwumike made 11 of 13 shots en route to finishing with 24 points - one shy of matching a career high - and 12 rebounds. Fellow rookie Alyssa Thomas and Alex Bentley contributed 18 points apiece.

Behind their young players, the Sun took command early by jumping out to a double-digit lead in the opening period.

"Our backs are against the wall," coach Anne Donovan said. "We're trying to get into the postseason. I was pleased at how we came out in the first quarter. It just showed the sense of urgency that we sometimes lack this season."

Donovan's team hung with Los Angeles (12-15) in the early going July 13, trailing by two after one quarter, before getting outscored 53-29 in the next two periods in a 90-64 drubbing. Chiney's sister, Nneka Ogwumike, scored a team-leading 24 points for the Sparks in the first professional matchup between the siblings and No. 1 overall draft picks.

Chiney Ogwumike had a team-best 18 points for Connecticut while Jantel Lavender had 19 and Parker scored 15 for Los Angeles. Parker has missed the past two games because a strained left knee and remained in California during a 90-69 rout to West-leading Phoenix on Tuesday.

Ogwumike had 18 points but Kristi Toliver was the only other player in double figures with 14. Los Angeles trailed by three at halftime, but couldn't recover after the Mercury's 12-0 run in the third quarter and suffered its fourth loss in six games.

"The crowd got in it and we got a little rattled," interim coach Penny Toler said. "I told them, from that moment, as a team and as players you get better, come down, slow the ball down and let's execute. We didn't execute in that stretch."

Los Angeles is 2-3 since its general manager and executive vice president took over for Carol Ross on July 21 but has a comfortable lead over Tulsa for the West's final playoff spot. The Sparks trail San Antonio by a half-game for third place.

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WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 13, 2014 Score ATS Results
LOS « 90 Cover: 22
CONN 64 Under: 154
Tools: Recaps

Aug 27, 2013 Score ATS Results
CONN 78 Cover: 0.5
LOS « 91 Over: 169
Tools: Recaps

Aug 6, 2013 Score ATS Results
LOS « 74 Under: 146
CONN 72 Cover: 1.5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mystics (13-14) at Sky (11-16)

Date: August 03, 2014 6:00 PM EDT


While she might need a little time to regain her stamina, Elena Delle Donne's return could give the Chicago Sky enough to climb into playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

The Sky have a chance to erase their slim deficit Sunday night with some help and a home win over the Washington Mystics.

Delle Donne missed 17 of 18 games and 12 in a row because of recurrence of Lyme disease before returning in Thursday's visit from New York. The Sky (11-16) went 5-12 without their leading scorer and the 2013 WNBA rookie of the year.

Delle Donne came off the bench to play 10:38 against the Liberty and scored 10 points in an 87-74 victory, her club's third in the last 11 games.

"It's just awesome to be back with the team competing," said Delle Donne, who was 3 for 8 from the field. "I feel really good and I'm happy we were able to keep the minutes down because it's something I'm going to have to build on."

Completing a season sweep of New York put Chicago just a half-game behind the fourth-place Liberty with seven to play. New York, which has a game in hand, visits East-leading Atlanta on Sunday.

"Every game from here on out is a must win," said center Sylvia Fowles, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds. 'We have to stay on our toes, continue to be aggressive and do the things we haven't done all season to make it into the playoffs."

The Sky played without Delle Donne in each of their two losses to Washington this season. They also didn't have Fowles (hip) and starting forward Jessica Breland (shin) in a 79-68 road defeat June 13.

Starting guard Courtney Vandersloot missed a 72-65 loss July 9, which snapped Chicago's seven-game home win streak over the Mystics. Vandersloot has sat out the past 12 games because of a sprained left MCL and is expected to miss an additional two weeks.

The Mystics (13-14) head into Chicago after having a season-best, four-game win streak snapped Tuesday with an 80-76 overtime loss at New York. They rallied from a 15-point deficit in the third quarter before suffering just their second defeat in eight games.

Kia Vaughn had 12 points after scoring a combined 14 in her prior three games, and 12 rebounds, one shy of her career high.

Washington owns a two-game lead on a playoff spot with seven to play, and coach Mike Thibault is hopeful his team doesn't have to absorb many more difficult lessons in a competitive East race.

"I hope we learn from it, if we lose this game and learn from it and it makes us better, great," he said. "If it doesn't make us smarter, it's a waste."

The Mystics and Sky conclude their season series Aug. 13 in Washington.

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WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 9, 2014 Score ATS Results
WAS « 72 Cover: 10.5
CHI 65 Under: 137
Tools: Recaps

Jun 13, 2014 Score ATS Results
CHI 68 Under: 147
WAS « 79 Cover: 4
Tools: Recaps

Sep 8, 2013 Score ATS Results
CHI « 93 Cover: 11
WAS 79 Over: 172
Tools: Recaps

Aug 20, 2013 Score ATS Results
CHI « 79 Cover: 3.5
WAS 73 Under: 152
Tools: Recaps

Aug 2, 2013 Score ATS Results
WAS 78 Cover: 0
CHI « 85 Over: 163
Tools: Recaps

Jul 24, 2013 Score ATS Results
CHI 78 Over: 160
WAS « 82 Cover: 8.5
Tools: Recaps

Jul 10, 2013 Score ATS Results
WAS 85 Cover: 5.5
CHI « 89 Over: 174
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Stars-Storm Preview


The San Antonio Stars remain in good position to make the playoffs despite being in a funk for much of the past three weeks.

That stretch began with a lopsided defeat to last-place Seattle, and the Stars will try to avenge that loss by sending the Storm to a franchise record-tying eighth consecutive defeat Sunday night.

Despite losing six of eight, San Antonio (13-15) remains in line for a seventh postseason berth in eight years, with a half-game lead over fourth-place Los Angeles in the Western Conference. Kayla McBride scored 27 points Friday but the Stars fell 89-79 to Connecticut.

"It's very frustrating," coach Dan Hughes said. "Coming off a game that I thought we played as well as we could play (a 92-74 win over Chicago on Tuesday), we wanted to stay at that level, and we didn't.

"It's going to take resilience, and we've got to hang. I think a lot of what we want to do is still out there, but it's tough. The league is very competitive."

The Stars had won four of five before an 88-67 home loss to Seattle on July 11. With 13 points, McBride was the only San Antonio player to score more than 10, and her club fell to 1-2 this season against the Storm (9-20).

Seattle has dropped seven in a row since that victory and is all but assured of ending its league record of 10 consecutive playoff appearances. The Storm trail Los Angeles by four games with five to play and have lost 20 games for the first time since finishing 10-22 in 2001, their second WNBA season.

Shekinna Stricklen had a season-high 20 points Thursday against visiting Indiana but no other player was in double figures in a 76-67 loss.

"We aren't making enough winning plays," coach Brian Agler said. "Winning plays don't mean making shots. ... Getting a key defensive stop down the stretch and not getting mixed up on a baseline out-of-bounds play and giving up the layup, those are the kinds of mistakes we are making."

Seattle, which hasn't dropped eight in a row since June 15-July 3, 2000, fell 87-82 in overtime in its only other visit from San Antonio this season June 19. Danielle Adams hit a tying 3-pointer with 6.5 seconds left in regulation, and Danielle Robinson scored six of her team-best 20 points in the extra session.

Adams matched a season high with 18 points in a 79-72 loss to Seattle on June 13 but was held to six points on 3-of-9 shooting in last month's defeat. Stricklen had a team-best 19 points and made eight of 13 shots in that victory.


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2014 Regular Season Series

Series starts 6/13

Fri 6/13 SEA 79, @ SA 72 Recap | Box Score

Thu 6/19 SA 87, @ SEA 82 Recap | Box Score

Fri 7/11 SEA 88, @ SA 67 Recap | Box Score

Aug 3, 2014 SA @ SEA 9:00 PM ET

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday, August 3

Game Score Status Pick Amount

New York - 3:00 PM ET New York +8 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Atlanta - Over 154.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY


Connecticut - 3:30 PM ET Connecticut +6.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Los Angeles - Over 155.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY


Washington - 6:00 PM ET Chicago -4 500 *****

Chicago - Over 152 500 TRIPLE PLAY


San Antonio - 9:00 PM ET San Antonio +1.5 500 *****

Seattle - Over 147 500 TRIPLE PLAY

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Betting Recap - 7/28-8/3

August 4, 2014

League Betting Notes (from Monday, July 28 through Sunday, Aug. 3)

-- Favorites went 16-1 straight up
-- Favorites went 12-4-1 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 12-5 SU record
-- Home/road teams posted an 8-8-1 ATS record
-- The 'over' went 9-8

Team Betting Notes

-- Minnesota (22-6) continues to home right along, heading into the new week with a nine-game winning streak. They are also 8-1 ATS during the impressive stretch. They'll put their winning streak on the line Tuesday at Indiana (13-15).

-- The Fever head into that showdown with the Lynx going 2-2 SU, but they have covered four in a row. Indiana lost 83-77 in Minnesota June 22 in the first meeting, but they were able to cover.

-- Connecticut (11-18) put the skids on a four-game losing streak (0-3-1 ATS) with a win and cover at San Antonio (13-16), who has also been struggling mightily.

-- The Stars have now lost four of the past five, and seven of the past nine overall. Bettors have been a big fan of the Stars, or at least a fan of betting against them, as San Antonio is 1-8 ATS over the past nine after a six-game cover streak from June 26-July 9.

-- Chicago (12-16) has its star Elena Della Donne back from injury, and they are ascending once again. Chicago has won back-to-back games, and four of the past six overall after a six-game slide from July 2-17. Chicago has also covered four of the past six.

-- Atlanta (17-10) remains in first place by a healthy margin in the Eastern Conference, but they have lost five of the past seven overall. They're also just 2-5-1 ATS over the past eight games.

-- Phoenix (23-4) continues to be the gold standard in the WNBA, but they haven't been as much of a sure thing against the spread lately. After going 11-0 ATS from July 2-29, they have failed to cover back-to-back games for the first time since June 27-29.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Lynx (22-6) at Fever (13-15)

Date: August 05, 2014 7:00 PM EDT


Minnesota Lynx star Maya Moore is raising the bar in the WNBA.

The Indiana Fever can only hope that having a healthy Tamika Catchings can help them slow down Moore.

Moore has led the visiting Lynx to a nine-game win streak that has featured some incredible efforts as she faces Catchings and the Fever on Tuesday night.

Moore looks like the odds-on favorite to win her first MVP, leading the WNBA with 24.7 points per game. She scored 13 of her 40 points in the final five minutes of Saturday's 84-75 victory at Tulsa.

Moore became the first player in league history to post 11 30-point efforts in a season. She broke the record set in 2008 by Phoenix's Diana Taurasi, whose single-season scoring record of 25.3 points per game in 2006 is within reach.

"She is not running around trying to get 40 points and she is not running around just taking bad shots," coach Cheryl Reeve told the Lynx's official website. "She is just really special. She's one of the most special athletes this league has ever seen."

Moore posted the second-highest scoring effort in WNBA history with 48 points in a 112-108 double-overtime win over Atlanta on July 22. She can help Minnesota (22-6) register its first 10-game run since July 7-Aug. 6, 2013.

She scored 11 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Lynx to an 83-77 home victory over Indiana (13-15) on June 22. Catchings missed that contest with the back problems that plagued her at the beginning of the year.

Catchings has returned to average 15.1 points in 11 games, although consistency has been an issue for the 2011 league MVP.

She missed all 10 shots from the floor and scored eight points in Saturday's 79-69 loss at Phoenix that capped a 2-3 road stretch.

'I shot terrible tonight and I wasn't the only one on our team,' Catchings said. 'This is the end of our long road trip. I think when you look at just how we match up, this is the best team in the league right now."

There's plenty of incentive for both teams.

The Lynx are 1 1/2 games behind the Mercury for the league's best record while the Fever are one of five teams within 2 1/2 games of each other that are vying for three Eastern Conference playoff berths.

Minnesota has won six in a row in the regular season over Indiana, which in between captured the 2012 WNBA finals in four games for the franchise's lone title.

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WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 22, 2014 Score ATS Results
IND 77 Cover: 4
MIN « 83 Over: 160
Tools: Recaps

Aug 24, 2013 Score ATS Results
IND 77 Cover: 2.5
MIN « 84 Over: 161
Tools: Recaps

Jul 11, 2013 Score ATS Results
MIN « 69 Cover: 3
IND 62 Under: 131
Tools: Recaps

Oct 24, 2012 Score ATS Results
IND 0 Over: 0
MIN « 0 Cover: 0
Tools:

Oct 21, 2012 Score ATS Results
MIN 78 Over: 165
IND « 87 Cover: 11
Tools: Recaps

Oct 19, 2012 Score ATS Results
MIN 59 Under: 135
IND « 76 Cover: 20.5
Tools: Recaps

Oct 17, 2012 Score ATS Results
IND 71 Over: 154
MIN « 83 Cover: 4.5
Tools: Recaps

Oct 14, 2012 Score ATS Results
IND « 76 Cover: 14
MIN 70 Under: 146
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Liberty (12-15) at Mystics (13-15)

Date: August 05, 2014 7:00 PM EDT


Two years removed from earning WNBA MVP honors, Tina Charles is putting herself into the conversation for the award again, while trying to lead the New York Liberty back to the playoffs.

Charles and the surging Liberty visit the Washington Mystics on Tuesday night in a matchup of teams vying for postseason position in the tightly-bunched Eastern Conference.

New York (12-15) has won eight of 12 behind Charles, who had 29 points and 14 rebounds in an 83-76 road victory over first-place Atlanta on Sunday. The Liberty, who missed the postseason for the first time in four years in 2013 after finishing 11-23, won the season series with the defending East champion Dream 3-1.

"It was a must win as far as a playoff berth; Atlanta already has a playoff berth, we don't," Charles said. "So we just came in here with great intensity and energy. We were doing all the little things. We only had three turnovers in the second half and that was the biggest thing, I think."

Charles has averaged 21.8 points and 11.5 rebounds in her last 11 contests. She's the only player in the WNBA who ranks among the top five in scoring and rebounding, and her 18.4 points-per-game average is the highest of her career.

The center recorded 23 points and 12 boards in an 80-76 home win over the Mystics last Tuesday.

The clubs have split two meetings this season, with New York falling 68-60 in Washington on May 30 and winning 81-64 at Madison Square Garden on June 8.

The Mystics (13-15) are headed in the opposite direction, dropping two straight after winning six of seven. Washington surrendered 21 points to Elena Delle Donne, who played only 16 minutes, in a 76-65 loss at Chicago on Sunday.

The Mystics committed 19 turnovers, and while Emma Meesseman scored 17, the club's other starters shot 31.5 percent. Ivory Latta scored 12 and went 4 of 13 from the field.

Washington never led, though it pulled within three in the third quarter on a 9-2 run.

"We had a brief recovery in the second and third quarter," coach Mike Thibault said. "We had a chance and then we gave it right back."

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WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 29, 2014 Score ATS Results
WAS 76 Over: 156
NEW « 80 Cover: 1
Tools: Recaps

Jun 8, 2014 Score ATS Results
WAS 64 Over: 145
NEW « 81 Cover: 12.5
Tools: Recaps

May 30, 2014 Score ATS Results
NEW 60 Under: 128
WAS « 68 Cover: 4
Tools: Recaps

Sep 15, 2013 Score ATS Results
NEW 52 Under: 122
WAS « 70 Cover: 10
Tools: Recaps

Aug 16, 2013 Score ATS Results
WAS « 66 Cover: 11.5
NEW 57 Under: 123
Tools: Recaps

Aug 6, 2013 Score ATS Results
WAS 88 Over: 181
NEW « 93 Cover: 2
Tools: Recaps

Jul 31, 2013 Score ATS Results
NEW « 88 Cover: 16
WAS 78 Over: 166
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sky (12-16) at Sun (11-18)

Date: August 05, 2014 7:00 PM EDT


The Chicago Sky have wasted little time returning to their winning ways with Elena Delle Donne back in the lineup.

The second-year player looks to keep working her way back to All-Star form, and the Sky continue their push toward a playoff spot by seeking a third straight win Tuesday night against the last-place Connecticut Sun.

Delle Donne averaged 24.4 points while helping the Sky open 5-2 before she was limited to seven points on 3-of-10 shooting in a 38-point loss at Atlanta on June 7.

Chicago then went 5-13 over a stretch in which Delle Donne missed 17 games while seeking treatment for what she believed was a recurrence of Lyme Disease, which she had previously battled in college.

Delle Donne has returned to the Sky (12-16) seemingly just in time as the team attempts to nail down an Eastern Conference playoff berth for the second straight season.

After winning two in a row since the reigning rookie of the year's return, Chicago has closed to within a half-game of the final playoff spot and is one game back of second place.

Delle Donne had 10 points in 10 minutes in Thursday's 87-74 home win over New York in her first action since June 25 before scoring 21 on 7-of-12 shooting in 16 minutes in Sunday's 76-65 victory over visiting Washington.

'The only thing holding me back a little bit right now is my lungs," she said. 'It's definitely a positive thing and I'm happy that I was able to bounce back for a second game.'

Delle Donne totaled 49 points and shot 17 of 38 in a pair of double-digit home wins over the Sun in May, but she scored 13 while missing eight of 11 attempts in a 79-69 road loss when she tried to return from a five-game absence in June.

Sky center Sylvia Fowles, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds Sunday, scored 17 with nine boards in that defeat after missing the first two meetings with a hip injury.

The Sun (11-18) haven't won at Mohegan Sun Arena since that June matchup and are on the verge of matching the franchise record set in June 2007 with their fifth straight home defeat.

Connecticut has lost 12 of 15 overall but is only two games out of the final playoff spot.

'(This) is really painful," forward Chiney Ogwumike said. "But at the same time, we play a lot of young players, and I guess in order to win as a team and to deserve the wins, you have to go through these pains."

Ogwumike finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds in Sunday's 70-69 loss at Los Angeles after posting 24 and 12 in Friday's 89-79 win at San Antonio.

The 2014 No. 1 draft pick has averaged 13.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in the three matchups with Chicago.

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WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 25, 2014 Score ATS Results
CHI 69 Under: 148
CONN « 79 Cover: 8.5
Tools: Recaps

May 30, 2014 Score ATS Results
CONN 82 Over: 183
CHI « 101 Cover: 11
Tools: Recaps

May 21, 2014 Score ATS Results
CONN 68 Under: 146
CHI « 78 Cover: 5
Tools: Recaps

Aug 18, 2013 Score ATS Results
CONN 78 Over: 167
CHI « 89 Cover: 2
Tools: Recaps

Aug 9, 2013 Score ATS Results
CHI « 77 Cover: 11.5
CONN 61 Under: 138
Tools: Recaps

Jul 12, 2013 Score ATS Results
CHI « 83 Cover: 9.5
CONN 70 Under: 153
Tools: Recaps

May 31, 2013 Score ATS Results
CONN 75 Over: 161
CHI « 86 Cover: 4
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dream (17-10) at Mercury (23-4)

Date: August 05, 2014 10:00 PM EDT


The Phoenix Mercury have bounced back from their first loss in six weeks and now turn their attention to setting the single-season franchise record for victories.

The Atlanta Dream stand in their way, though the Eastern Conference leaders could be without their head coach.

With Michael Cooper's status uncertain for the Dream, the Mercury seek a team-record 24th win and 13th in a row at home Tuesday night in a possible WNBA finals preview.

After having a team-record 16-game win streak snapped in Thursday's 75-67 loss at Minnesota, Phoenix (23-4) recovered Saturday with 14 straight fourth-quarter points en route to a 79-69 home win over Indiana.

Brittney Griner had 17 points as Phoenix tied the single-season franchise mark for wins, set in its 2007 championship season, and broke a team record with its 12th straight victory at US Airways Center to top an 11-game run in 1999.

"What I like is that they responded," coach Sandy Brondello said. "We know that wasn't our best game, we played lackluster for such a long time. But we could change it."

Diana Taurasi, the WNBA's sixth leading scorer at 17.4 per game, had 15 points after being held to 10 on Thursday and shot 9 for 30 in those contests. However, she finished with a combined 53 points while making 17 of 32 shots to help Phoenix take both games from Atlanta in 2013.

This is the teams' first meeting this year. Griner totaled just 22 points in last season's series as a rookie but has averaged 17.6 points on 65.1 percent shooting in her last seven games.

Phoenix averages a league-high 84.9 points while limiting opponents to a WNBA-low 74.3 after holding the Fever to 34.8 percent shooting - including 4 of 17 from 3-point range - on Saturday.

Now the Mercury could have their hands full with Atlanta's Angel McCoughtry, who ranks third in the league at 20.0 points per game. The All-Star totaled 58 points in the two matchups with the Mercury in 2013.

McCoughtry finished with 28 points in Sunday's 83-76 home loss to New York that snapped a two-game win streak.

Cooper returned to the bench after he had missed five games due to treatment for early stage tongue cancer, but it's unclear if he'll be able to join the team on its season-high four-game road trip.

The Dream (17-10) lead Washington and Indiana by 4 1-2 games for the East's best record. Although they've won the East title in 2010, 2011 and 2013, they've never secured the top seed.

"In the six years that I have been here, every time it's the second half (of the season) where we play this way until the playoffs," said Sancho Lyttle, who added 16 points Sunday.

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WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Sep 8, 2013 Score ATS Results
PHO « 79 Cover: 12.5
ATL 71 Under: 150
Tools: Recaps

Aug 3, 2013 Score ATS Results
ATL 76 Under: 158
PHO « 82 Cover: 1.5
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Shock (10-19) at Sparks (13-15)

Date: August 05, 2014 10:30 PM EDT


The Los Angeles Sparks appear to be headed to the playoffs for a third straight year.

The Tulsa Shock will need a strong finish - and likely some help - to end their postseason drought.

Los Angeles seeks its fourth win in five games Tuesday night when it hosts Tulsa.

The Sparks (13-15) are a half-game ahead of San Antonio for third place in the Western Conference. They've held opponents to an average of 70.3 points in their last three victories, down from 77.9 on the season.

Los Angeles claimed a 70-69 home victory Sunday over Connecticut despite trailing by six with 29.8 seconds remaining. Nneka Ogwumike stole an inbounds pass and Candice Wiggins found Kristi Toliver for the go-ahead 3-pointer with 9.6 seconds left. Toliver had been 0 for 6 from the field and 0 for 3 from deep.

"For me it's not about what happened," Toliver said. "It's about what you can make happen in the moment. I knew I was in there for a reason, and that's to make a play. I wasn't down about the game."

Alana Beard scored a team-high 18 points and is 20 for 31 over her last three contests, while leading scorer Candace Parker had nine after missing two games with a strained left knee.

The Shock (10-19) still have a chance at a playoff bid, trailing San Antonio by three games for the conference's final spot. However, four of their final five games are on the road, where they're 3-10.

Tulsa has yet to make the playoffs since relocating before the 2010 season from Detroit, where the team had reached the postseason for seven straight years.

The Shock suffered an 84-75 home loss to Minnesota on Saturday. Skylar Diggins scored eight straight points in a 1:12 span early in the fourth quarter to bring Tulsa within two, but Maya Moore finished with 40 points for the Lynx, including 13 in the final 5:25.

Rookie Odyssey Sims scored 25 and was 4 of 7 from 3-point range. She's averaging 24.2 points over her last six games while going 13 of 25 from beyond the arc.

"She has the 'it' factor. She knows she belongs," Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. "She is competitive. She has confidence in what she is doing."

The Sparks have taken the last two meetings after losing 69-67 in Tulsa on June 13. Parker is averaging 19.0 points in the season series.

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WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 28, 2014 Score ATS Results
LOS « 92 Cover: 2
TUL 89 Over: 181
Tools: Recaps

Jun 19, 2014 Score ATS Results
TUL 77 Over: 164
LOS « 87 Cover: 3.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 13, 2014 Score ATS Results
LOS 67 Under: 136
TUL « 69 Cover: 6
Tools: Recaps

Sep 6, 2013 Score ATS Results
LOS « 74 Under: 144
TUL 70 Cover: 2.5
Tools: Recaps

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]

WNBA
Dunkel

Atlanta at Phoenix
The Dream head to Phoenix tonight to face a Mercury team that is 10-1-1 ATS in its last 12 home games. Phoenix is the pick (-8 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 15. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-8 1/2). Here are all of today's WNBA picks.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5

Game 601-602: Minnesota at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 116.170; Indiana 113.495
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 2 1/2; 148
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 5; 154
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+5); Under

Game 603-604: New York at Washington (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New York 111.539; Washington 110.406
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 1; 153
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 4; 146 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (+4); Over

Game 605-606: Chicago at Connecticut (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 114.546; Connecticut 109.102
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 5 1/2; 159
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 154 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-2 1/2); Over

Game 607-608: Atlanta at Phoenix (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 109.617; Phoenix 124.830
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 15; 170
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 8 1/2; 165
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-8 1/2); Over

Game 609-610: Tulsa at Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 107.054; Los Angeles 114.972
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 8; 164
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 6 1/2; 160 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-6 1/2); Over




WNBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, August 5

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MINNESOTA (22 - 6) at INDIANA (13 - 15) - 8/5/2014, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
INDIANA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 43-26 ATS (+14.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 40-22 ATS (+15.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in August or September games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 59-38 ATS (+17.2 Units) in road games against Eastern conference opponents since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 59-38 ATS (+17.2 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 23-7 ATS (+15.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 105-137 ATS (-45.7 Units) as an underdog since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 5-4 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 6-3 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW YORK (12 - 15) at WASHINGTON (13 - 15) - 8/5/2014, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 258-312 ATS (-85.2 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 162-203 ATS (-61.3 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) after a division game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-6 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 8-4 straight up against WASHINGTON 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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CHICAGO (12 - 16) at CONNECTICUT (11 - 18) - 8/5/2014, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.
CHICAGO is 26-16 ATS (+8.4 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 16-30 ATS (-17.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 18-33 ATS (-18.3 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 9-2 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 7-4 straight up against CONNECTICUT 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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ATLANTA (17 - 10) at PHOENIX (23 - 4) - 8/5/2014, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
PHOENIX is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in home games this season.
PHOENIX is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
PHOENIX is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games this season.
PHOENIX is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) in August or September games over the last 3 seasons.

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

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TULSA (10 - 19) at LOS ANGELES (13 - 15) - 8/5/2014, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TULSA is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 25-40 ATS (-19.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 21-32 ATS (-14.2 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
LOS ANGELES is 23-39 ATS (-19.9 Units) in home games on Tuesday since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 26-47 ATS (-25.7 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TULSA is 8-3 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 8-4 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Tuesday, August 5

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. WASHINGTON
New York is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of New York's last 20 games on the road
Washington is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against New York
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. CONNECTICUT
Chicago is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Chicago's last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Connecticut's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Connecticut is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. INDIANA
Minnesota is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games
Indiana is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home

10:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. PHOENIX
Atlanta is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 7 games when playing Atlanta

10:30 PM
TULSA vs. LOS ANGELES
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tulsa's last 7 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Tulsa is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Los Angeles's last 11 games
Los Angeles is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games


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WNBA

Tuesday, August 5


Mercury have gone cold for bettors in last two games

The Phoenix Mercury are still the top bet against the spread in the WNBA, but they've gone a little cold at the betting window of late.

Following a sensational 11-game winning streak ATS, Mercury backers have been left frustrated, tearing up tickets in the past two games. They failed to covers as 1-point faves at Minnesota and as 11-point faves versus Indiana.

Still, the Mercury are 19-7-1 ATS and bettors will look for another win Tuesday. Books have the Mercury as 8-point home faves with the Atlanta Dream in town Tuesday evening.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA

Tuesday, August 5


Winning streak has this team paying for bettors

The Minnesota Lynx are hard-charging after the Phoenix Mercury for top spot in the WNBA. The Lynx have now won their past 10 games and have gone a stunning 9-1 against the spread for bettors during that span.

The Lynx' streak has seen them outscore opponents by an average of nearly 10-points a game and have five times beaten their opponent by 11 or more.

Minnesota will look to continue their dominance as 4.5-point road faves against Indiana Tuesday.

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday, August 5

Game Score Status Pick Amount


New York - 7:00 PM ET Washington -3.5 500 ******

Washington - Over 146.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY


Chicago - 7:00 PM ET Chicago -3.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Connecticut - Over 154.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY


Minnesota - 7:00 PM ET Minnesota -4.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

Indiana - Over 153 500 TRIPLE PLAY


Atlanta - 10:00 PM ET Phoenix -9 500 *****

Phoenix - Over 165.5 500 *****


Tulsa - 10:30 PM ET Tulsa +6.5 500 *****

Los Angeles - Under 161 500 *****

[StarDust Bum]

Mercury-Stars Preview

When an exceptionally smart veteran has proven to be a leader, it's often said that player's club has a coach on the floor at all times.

Becky Hammon is taking that to another level.

But before Hammon finishes her final season with the Stars and assumes her role as an assistant coach with the NBA's Spurs, she'll look to help San Antonio's WNBA franchise return to the postseason.

In Hammon's first game since taking the job Tuesday, her Stars will face Western Conference-leading Phoenix at home Thursday night. Mercury star Diana Taurasi already is aware of how qualified Hammon is to be a part of an NBA team's coaching staff.

"(Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has) a good one because Becky knows the game really well, she's a really avid worker (and) she's going to put everything into it," Taurasi said. "She's always going to be prepared, always going to be ready."

Hammon is in her 16th WNBA season and eighth with the Stars (13-16). She announced previously that she'll retire at the end of the season and had been working recently with Popovich and the reigning NBA champion Spurs.

She'll become the second female to be an assistant for an NBA team following Lisa Boyer, who was on coach John Lucas' staff with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2001-02.

Hammon will be the NBA's first full-time female assistant, as Boyer attended only some practices and games.

"As cool as it is, this is just the fact that this is basketball," Hammon said. "Obviously, that's great and it's a tremendous honor, but I think the bigger point is I'm getting hired because I'm capable, because of my basketball IQ and stuff that they've seen in me personally."

Hammon scored eight points in Sunday's 71-65 loss to Seattle, the Stars' fourth defeat in five games. They are tied with Los Angeles for the West's third playoff spot and will face another tough test from a Mercury team that has won 17 of 18.

Phoenix (24-4) set a single-season franchise record for victories with Tuesday's 75-67 win over East-leading Atlanta, as Taurasi scored nine of her 14 points in the fourth quarter.

"(Taurasi) went into the zone, and when she goes in that zone, there's no stopping her," said Brittney Griner, who added 14 points, nine rebounds and nine blocks. "You can try whatever you want, but I mean, y'all see it every time, you can't."

Taurasi, though, is more focused on bringing another championship to Phoenix, which won titles in 2007 and '09. The Mercury have a 1 1/2-game lead on Minnesota for the top spot in the West.

"There are definitely things we want to clean up going into the postseason, but we still have a long way to go," Taurasi said. "We have six games (left in the regular season) to really hone in on what we want to do and make sure we stay on top of the ladder. We still have a lot of work to do."

San Antonio dealt the Mercury one of their rare losses May 23, but Phoenix has since won both meetings.


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2014 Regular Season Series

Series starts 5/23

Fri 5/23 SA 78, @ PHX 74 Recap | Box Score

Sat 6/7 PHX 91, @ SA 79 Recap | Box Score

Sun 7/13 @PHX 90, SA 61 Recap | Box Score

Aug 7, 2014 PHX @ SA 8:00 PM ET

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Last 5 Games

Phoenix

Aug 05 ATL Win 75-67

Aug 02 IND Win 79-69

Jul 31 @MIN Loss 75-67

Jul 29 LA Win 90-69

Jul 26 NY Win 78-63


San Antonio

Aug 03 @SEA Loss 71-65

Aug 01 CONN Loss 89-79

Jul 29 CHI Win 92-74

Jul 26 IND Loss 75-68

Jul 25 @MIN Loss 88-78

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sky (13-16) at Lynx (23-6)

Date: August 07, 2014 8:00 PM EDT


The Minnesota Lynx just survived a close call to keep their winning streak alive as they continue to fight for the top spot in the Western Conference.

A showdown looms against the team it's chasing for first place, but Minnesota doesn't plan on looking past a Chicago Sky team that has seemed invigorated by the return of Elena Delle Donne.

The Lynx shoot for an 11th consecutive victory Thursday night as the visiting Sky look to win a fourth straight since getting Delle Donne back.

Minnesota (23-6) trails first-place Phoenix by 1 1/2 games in the West, and the clubs will meet for the final time in the regular season Saturday in Arizona.

The Lynx, though, may be in for another tough test prior to that matchup after having to rally from an early 12-point deficit to beat Indiana 66-64 on the road Tuesday. Seimone Augustus tipped in Lindsay Whalen's miss as time expired and finished with 18 points.

Maya Moore added 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

"Every game in the WNBA is a battle," Moore said. "On any night, any team can win. And it's fun to play that way. You have to bring your best every night."

Minnesota likely will have to be at its best against Chicago (13-16), which is part of a close race for one of the final three playoff spots in the East. The Sky went 4-8 as Delle Donne missed more than a month while recovering from Lyme Disease, but they've won all three games since she came back as the All-Star averaged 15.3 points in 16.0 minutes off the bench.

Delle Donne scored 15 in Tuesday's 82-66 victory over Connecticut, though it's unclear when she'll return to the starting lineup.

Epiphanny Prince finished with 20 points and six assists to help lead the Sky back from a five-point halftime deficit.

"Amazing," coach Pokey Chatman said of Prince. "She was snaking it and taking it to the basket and getting some (3-point plays). But she was so good defensively, things that maybe a fan wouldn't see."

Chicago ranks 10th in the 12-team league in points allowed per game at 79.1, but it has held teams to an average of 68.3 during its winning streak. It also shot 63 percent in the second half against the Sun.

"We were disruptive," Chatman said. "We married that (defense) to some offensive execution. The ball wasn't sticking as much. I thought early on we let the ball stick and didn't move it around as much."

Delle Donne scored 16 points against Minnesota on May 26, but Moore helped hold her to 7 of 19 from the field and Whalen scored 22 points as the Lynx won 75-72 in Chicago.

The Lynx have won the last three home meetings with the Sky.

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WNB HEAD TO HEAD

May 26, 2014 Score ATS Results

MIN « 75 Cover: 4
CHI 72 Under: 147
Tools: Recaps

Sep 14, 2013 Score ATS Results
CHI 66 Under: 145
MIN « 79 Cover: 5.5
Tools: Recaps

Aug 11, 2013 Score ATS Results
MIN 86 Over: 180
CHI « 94 Cover: 10
Tools: Recaps