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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dream (3-2) at Sun (1-5)

Date: June 01, 2014 3:00 PM EDT


With Tiffany Hayes out of her scoring slump and Angel McCoughtry off to a strong start, the Atlanta Dream are primed to end their road woes against the Connecticut Sun.

The Dream look to avoid their seventh loss in eight regular-season meetings in Connecticut on Sunday when they try to send the Sun to their second three-game losing streak in seven games this season.

After totaling 19 points and going 5 of 12 in her first four games, Hayes gave Atlanta (3-2) a boost Friday by scoring 20 on 6-of-9 shooting in an 80-69 home win over Seattle.

The third-year guard, who came within three points of matching a career high, had been held scoreless on just two field-goal attempts in an 82-77 loss to Indiana last Sunday.

"The first shot went down, the confidence goes up," said Hayes, who averaged 11.3 points in 2013 but had been in double figures in only one of the first four games this season. "It's always just whatever the team needs from me."

Sancho Lyttle and Erika de Souza also played well with a combined 27 points and 18 rebounds to help the Dream end a two-game losing streak following a 2-0 start.

Now Atlanta hopes the supporting cast can continue easing the pressure on high-scoring star McCoughtry, who finished with 18 points and a season-high eight assists Friday.

The two-time WNBA scoring leader is averaging 21.3 points, 5.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 steals, though she missed an 87-73 loss May 24 at Chicago with a shoulder injury.

McCoughtry scored 28.4 per game to help the Dream take three of five from the Sun in 2013. Though Connecticut finished with the league's worst record, three of those five meetings were decided by two points or less.

Atlanta dropped two of the three road matchups, falling to 1-6 in Connecticut during the regular season since 2011. The Dream, however, might be able to break through this time against the Eastern Conference-worst Sun.

After it had just two wins through seven games en route to a franchise-worst 10-24 record last season, Connecticut has gotten off to a 1-6 start in 2014 following Friday's 101-82 loss at Chicago.

Kelsey Bone finished with a team-high 20 points and Chiney Ogwumike had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The rookie forward has certainly been a bright spot, averaging 17.2 points and 9.2 boards.

The Sun are 0-4 on the road, but have split their two home games. Ogwumike - the No. 1 pick in this year's draft - had 18 points in a 71-59 win over Seattle on May 23.

Connecticut, one of the WNBA's worst shooting teams at 39.0 percent, will try to bounce back after missing 15 of 19 shots in the second quarter Friday. Defensively, the Sun gave up their most points since a 107-101 loss - also at Chicago - in June 2011.

That doesn't bode well heading into a matchup with an up-tempo Atlanta team that ranks among the league leaders with a 46.8 field-goal percentage.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sparks (2-1) at Mystics (2-2)

Date: June 01, 2014 4:00 PM EDT


After a loss last week, Washington Mystics point guard Ivory Latta declared she wasn't going to get discouraged due to the long grind of a season that remained.

Her teammates probably don't mind when she contradicts herself by treating each game as though it's do or die.

After willing her team to its latest victory, Latta looks to help Washington avoid a sixth straight loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.

Latta scored 10 of her 15 points over the final four minutes of a 68-60 victory over New York on Friday, lifting the Mystics (2-2) to their first home win in three tries.

"It was a must-win in May, how about that?" Latta said. "Especially, a win for us on our home court. We have to protect our home court."

Washington committed 16 turnovers and let a 12-point lead slip away in the third quarter before Latta took over.

"Just that whole segment in the fourth quarter, I'm going to be honest with you, I don't even know what came to me," Latta said. "When I was walking off the court, somebody was like, 'The beast mode came out.'"

Though Latta is the Mystics' only player averaging double digits at 15.3 points per game, they're getting plenty of other contributions. Kia Vaughn and rookie Jelena Milovanovic both set a season high with 14 points apiece Friday, and Washington outrebounded New York 41-26.

"It's more of a team effort right now," Vaughn said. "Individually, we are all capable of doing it, so we've got to put it together at home."

Los Angeles (2-1) is coming off a home win of its own after routing San Antonio 83-62 last Sunday, avoiding its worst start since beginning 0-3 in 2010.

Candace Parker scored 23 points and Kristi Toliver added 15 for the Sparks, who used a strong fourth quarter to pull away.

"I think it's a testament to the change that we're trying to make," said Nneka Ogwumike, who had 11 points and nine rebounds in her return from a lower back strain. "We're trying to identify ourselves as a stronger, kind of different team."

Parker, who is tied for third in the league at 21.3 points per game, added seven rebounds, six assists and four steals against the Stars.

"As talented as our team is, I think I just look for what's there," Parker said. "Whether it's spread the floor or kick out or set good screens, it's just being active, and I think that that's what going to change from game to game is how aggressive I have to be."

Los Angeles hasn't lost to Washington since July 17, 2011, and has won the five meetings since by an average of 18.2 points.

It's unclear if Sparks guard Candice Wiggins will be available for this contest after sitting out against San Antonio with a swollen knee.

[StarDust Bum]

Lynx-Stars Preview


The Minnesota Lynx know something about winning playoff series, having appeared in the last three WNBA Finals and claiming two titles.

It's no wonder that coach Cheryl Reeve is treating the defending champions' home-and-home set with the San Antonio Stars as such heading into Sunday's road contest.

Minnesota (6-0) remained the league's lone unbeaten after Maya Moore had 26 points during an 88-72 home victory Friday in which the Lynx broke open a tight game by outscoring San Antonio 33-10 in the third quarter.

"These guys are good," Reeve said of the Stars. "We knew they would challenge our schemes. It's kind of a mini playoff series -- win your home game and go see if you can close out a series on the road. That's how we'll approach it."

Moore, the league's scoring leader with a 29.3 average, narrowly missed her fifth 30-point game of the season. Lindsay Whalen added 19 points and Damiris Dantas scored a career-high 17 despite missing the final 6:42 of the first half after taking an elbow to the head from Kayla Alexander.

The Lynx were assessed a technical foul when trainer Chuck Barta darted onto the floor to attend to Dantas before a timeout had been called. Though Reeve voiced her displeasure with the handling of the situation, Minnesota overcame the setback and Dantas responded by having the best game of her rookie season.

Dantas finished 7 for 10 from the field and also added five rebounds.

"It says with a big bump on her nose she's pretty good," Reeve said. "It says a lot that she's able to fight through it and focus."

Minnesota is known more for its offense, scoring a WNBA-best 87.2 points per game, but Reeve said the Lynx had their best defensive effort of the season Friday.

Moore didn't seem so sure since the Stars (3-3) went 14 of 28 from 3-point range after hitting 21 from beyond the arc over their first five games.

"We kind of go in spurts on defense. Sometimes we're good, and other times we're bad," Moore said. "We know we've still got to improve."

Jia Perkins hit four 3s and scored a team-best 15 points off the bench for San Antonio, while Danielle Adams and Danielle Robinson had 11 apiece. Kayla McBride and Becky Hammon each drilled three 3-pointers.

"I think we can do that on a fairly regular basis," coach Dan Hughes said of his squad's 3-point shooting. "We don't have a lot of size on the perimeter, so that's our way of dealing with it."

The Stars have lost the last five meetings with the Lynx by an average of 16.2 points. San Antonio will look to end that run and improve to 3-0 at home, though both of its victories at the AT&T Center have come against winless Tulsa by a combined seven points.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Shock (0-4) at Storm (1-5)

Date: June 01, 2014 9:00 PM EDT


The Seattle Storm have probably had enough of playing on the road. The winless Tulsa Shock are likely feeling the same way.

The Storm get a brief respite from a grueling amount of road games in the early part of their season when they host the Shock on Sunday.

Seattle (1-5) opened 2014 with a home loss to Los Angeles before embarking on a five-game trip that featured four matchups against Eastern Conference teams. Three of the Storm's four losses on the swing came by at least 11 points.

Things aren't going to get any easier for Seattle in the coming weeks. After hosting Tulsa, the Storm play five of their next six away from home.

"All teams go through road trips," veteran guard Sue Bird said. "I wouldn't say it's that. I just think we haven't been closing out games."

That was the case at Atlanta on Friday night. The Storm led by seven early in the second half but lost 80-69.

Crystal Langhorne had 21 points and 11 rebounds and reserve Temeka Johnson added 13 points for Seattle, which outscored Atlanta 32-4 in bench points but had 18 turnovers. The Storm's four starters besides Langhorne combined to score just 16.

"I don't think fatigue played a factor in this game. We didn't make plays at the end, and Atlanta did," said Langhorne, who scored only seven points after halftime. "We can't think too much about this loss. We just have to refocus and expect to play better."

Bird's struggles continued, hitting 1 of 8 shots and finishing with three points. She is shooting a career-worst 32.8 percent from the field.

The Shock, who are the only WNBA team without a victory, are also a bit road-weary and will be happy to return home after this contest concludes a three-game trip. They have played in Oklahoma only once this season.

Tulsa (0-4) hopes to notch its first win before beginning a four-game homestand and might like its chances after taking three of five meetings with the Storm last season, including two victories in Seattle.

The Shock breezed through a 3-0 preseason and their first three losses in the regular season came by a total of eight points before they were completely dismantled by Phoenix in a 100-78 defeat Friday.

Riquna Williams scored a game-high 27 points and Skylar Diggins continued her solid start to her second season with 20, but Tulsa was outrebounded 34-24 and didn't attempt its first free throw until four minutes had elapsed in the second half.

The Shock finished 9 for 12 at the line, while the Mercury were 34 of 39.

"Mentally, it does, it affects you," coach Fred Williams said of the disparity in free throws. "All you can do is keep coaching through it. I have a young team that's really learning a lot of things."

Tulsa hopes to have a healthy Odyssey Sims against Seattle after the starting rookie guard was held scoreless in 10 minutes against Phoenix because of an undisclosed illness.

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday, June 1

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Atlanta - 3:00 PM ET Connecticut +4 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Connecticut - Over 153 500

Los Angeles - 4:00 PM ET Washington +4.5 500 *****
Washington - Over 149 500

Minnesota - 4:30 PM ET Minnesota -3 500 *****
San Antonio - Under 157 500

Tulsa - 9:00 PM ET Seattle -4 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Seattle - Under 148.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Record as of Sunday Night:


*****.................................2 - 0

DOUBLE PLAY.........................0 - 1

TRIPLE PLAY..........................0 - 0


Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

06/01/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail

Totals 6-*2-*0 75.00% +1900

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Betting Recap - 5/26-6/1

June 1, 2014

League Betting Notes (from Monday, May 26 through Sunday, June 1)

-- Favorites went 11-3 straight up
-- Favorites went 8-5-1 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 12-2 SU record
-- Home teams posted a 9-4-1 ATS record
-- The 'over' went 9-5

Team Betting Notes

-- Indiana (3-3) is on a roll. After starting the season 0-3 SU/1-2 ATS, the Fever have rattled off three straight wins and cover. The Fever entered Saturday with the 'over' cashing in four of their first five, but the 'under' hit against New York (2-4).

-- The Liberty opened with a road win and cover May 16, but they are 1-4 SU and 1-3-1 ATS since. One thing that has been consistent with the Liberty is the fact the 'under' has cashed in five of their six outings so far.

-- Phoenix (3-1) pounded Tulsa (0-5) by a 100-78 score. It was the first 'over' for Phoenix after three straight unders to open the season. Phoenix is now 3-1 SU and ATS. They meet Seattle (2-5) Tuesday at home. The Mercury weathered the Storm 81-64 in the season opener back on May 17 in Phoenix, covering with an under.

-- The Shock can't buy a win. In fact, they're not only the lone winless team in the WNBA, but every other squad has at least two victories. Tulsa has been competitve, though, covering four of their five games thusfar.

-- Chicago (5-1) suffered its first loss of the season Monday against Minnesota (7-0), but rebounded with a win over Connecticut (2-5), 101-82, on Friday. The 'over' is 2-1 in the past three for the Sky.

-- Minnesota remains unbeaten and they are starting to cover, too. After opening the season 1-3 ATS, they have covered three in a row. And the 'over' is now 6-1 in seven games for the Lynx.

-- Despite a win Sunday, the Sun remains mired in last place in the Eastern Conference. The over has come through in three straight games for Connecticut.

-- Washington (3-2) outlasted Los Angeles (2-2) in what was the game of the season so far, winning 92-84 in triple-overtime. It was the first over in four games for the Sparks.

-- The Sparks have managed a total of just four games to date, but they have a three-game week on tap, including the continuation of their road trip Tuesday in Atlanta, and Friday in Chicago before returning home to face Minnesota.

[StarDust Bum]

Revised Record as of Monday Night:

Record as of Sunday Night:


*****.................................2 - 0

DOUBLE PLAY.......................1 - 1

TRIPLE PLAY.........................0 - 0


Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

06/01/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail

Totals 6-*2-*0 75.00% +1900

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sparks (2-2) at Dream (3-3)

Date: June 03, 2014 7:00 PM EDT


Coming off disappointing losses in their previous games, the Los Angeles Sparks and Atlanta Dream won't have long to dwell on those outcomes before meeting at Philips Arena.

The Sparks could also be dealing with fatigue following a triple-overtime thriller.

As both teams play for the second time in three days Tuesday, Los Angeles looks to avoid its worst start in four years by getting its first win in Atlanta since 2009.

The Sparks (2-2) held leads in the final seconds in the first two overtimes Sunday, but they couldn't close out Washington in a 92-84 loss that opened a three-game trip.

Candace Parker had season highs of 32 points, 12 rebounds and six steals, but missed 18 of 28 shots as Los Angeles finished with a season-worst 33.0 field-goal percentage.

Alana Beard and Lindsey Harding also struggled in the backcourt, totaling 22 points on 8-of-33 shooting. They were two of four starters who played at least 45 minutes.

Making matters worse, guards Kristi Toliver (international duty) and Candice Wiggins (knee injury) did not play for the short-handed Sparks. It's uncertain if they will be available for this contest.

"It depends on what we do from here on as to if this is something really good, a learning a moment," coach Carol Ross said. "As coaches, that's what we're supposed to take these moments and turn them into."

The Sparks, however, won't have long to learn from their mistakes as they look to avert their worst start since losing six of their first seven in 2010. They've also dropped four straight in Atlanta by an average of 15.0 points.

The Dream (3-3) will try to move past their own frustrating road defeat Sunday, when they trailed by 21 before falling 85-76 to Eastern Conference-worst Connecticut.

Tiffany Hayes and Erika de Souza scored a combined 32 points on 13-of-24 shooting, but Atlanta shot a season-low 36.1 percent from the field.

Angel McCoughtry - averaging a team-best 18.4 points - was held to seven while missing 12 of 14 shots. The two-time WNBA scoring champ has missed one game due to a shoulder strain, and she's also dealing with some bumps and bruises.

"I still think she's hurting a little bit," coach Michael Cooper said. "She had something (bothering her) in her back. ... I think it's a little bit of a residual effect from playing overseas (in Turkey) all that time (during the offseason)."

McCoughtry totaled 40 points and de Souza 42 in the two meetings with the Sparks in 2013, while Hayes has stepped up with 32 in her last two games overall.

The Dream have done a nice job when facing Parker, limiting her to 11.3 points - 6.2 below her career average - on 41.9 percent shooting in the last four matchups.

The clubs have split their meetings over the past two seasons, with the home team winning each time.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Storm (2-5) at Mercury (3-1)

Date: June 03, 2014 10:00 PM EDT


The last two times the Phoenix Mercury started out this well, they went on to win the WNBA title.

Clicking offensively, Phoenix looks to continue rolling as it hosts the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night.

The Mercury also started 3-1 in 2007 and '09 before Diana Taurasi helped guide them to championships. She scored 16 points in Friday's 100-78 win over Tulsa, helping Phoenix bounce back from a 78-74 loss to San Antonio on May 23.

'We were sharp,' Taurasi said. 'We had a good four or five days of working on things that we left on the wayside against San Antonio. It took us a little bit, but we figured it out and we had some people come up big."

After scoring 17 points over her first three games, point guard Erin Phillips netted 15 on Friday while going 5 of 7 from the field.

"For the first few games, I probably was playing a bit too much like a point guard and trying to get other people involved, rather than looking for my shot," said Phillips, acquired in a trade with Indiana in the offseason. "It's been a while since I actually played the point guard position before this year, but I felt I was more aggressive and tried to be attacking. It takes the pressure off the other players and it also gets them open as well."

It was a welcome performance for the Mercury, who lead the league in field-goal percentage (50.4) and 3-point shooting (45.8) while ranking second in points per game (82.2).

"That's the way we really want to play," coach Sandy Brondello said. "I'm sure the next game will be a little closer."

Phoenix will be facing a Seattle team that is in the midst of playing 10 of its first 13 games on the road, the most ever to start a season. The Storm (2-5) took advantage of a rare home game Sunday and beat the Shock 62-60 behind a season-high 23 points from Crystal Langhorne.

The 6-foot-2 center was obtained in a trade with Washington before the season and is beginning to settle in with her new club, averaging 19.0 points in her last three after scoring 9.0 per game over her first four.

'I'm just trying to play and fit in and kind of let things come to me,' Langhorne said. 'It was a little rough just because we had some losses, but hopefully we continue to pick things up and get better as a team.'

Veteran Sue Bird added 11 points Sunday and said she's starting to mesh with Langhorne, who is tied for first in the league in field-goal percentage at 67.2.

'We're getting there, Crystal and myself,' Bird said. 'When you have a player like her, you just want to feed her. She's playing great and hopefully we can continue to develop that chemistry.'

Despite Langhorne's efforts, the Storm rank last in the league with 65.7 points per game as well as in field-goal percentage at 39.7. They shot 33.9 percent in an 81-64 loss to Phoenix on May 17.

Brittney Griner scored 19 points in that contest for the Mercury, who ended a five-game losing streak to Seattle.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Seattle at Phoenix
The Storm head to Phoenix where they are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games against the Mercury. Seattle is the pick (+10 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by only 8. Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+10 1/2). Here are all of today's WNBA picks.

TUESDAY, JUNE 3

Game 601-602: Los Angeles at Atlanta (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 118.648; Atlanta 114.411
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 4; 162
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1; 153 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-1); Over

Game 603-604: Seattle at Phoenix (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 108.554; Phoenix 116.554
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 8; 143
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 10 1/2; 148 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+10 1/2); Under




WNBA

Tuesday, June 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. ATLANTA
Los Angeles is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Los Angeles is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles

10:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. PHOENIX
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Seattle's last 9 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Seattle
Phoenix is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle

[StarDust Bum]

Record as of Sunday Night:


*****.................................2 - 0

DOUBLE PLAY.........................0 - 1

TRIPLE PLAY..........................0 - 0


Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

06/01/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail

Totals 6-*2-*0 75.00% +1900


Tuesday, June 3

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Los Angeles - 7:00 PM ET Atlanta +2.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Atlanta - Over 153.5 500 *****

Seattle - 10:00 PM ET Phoenix -10.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Phoenix - Over 147 500 *****

[StarDust Bum]

Record as of TUESDAY Night:


*****.................................4 - 0

DOUBLE PLAY.......................3 - 1

TRIPLE PLAY.........................0 - 0


Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

06/03/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2000 Detail

06/01/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail

Totals 10-*2-*0 83.33% +3900

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Washington at Connecticut
The Mystics head to Connecticut tonight to face a Sun team that is 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings between the two teams. Washington is the pick (+1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mystics favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Washington (+1 1/2). Here are all of today's WNBA picks.

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

Game 651-652: San Antonio at New York (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 107.108; New York 113.326
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 6; 153
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 4; 148
Dunkel Pick: New York (-4); Over

Game 653-654: Washington at Connecticut (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 105.882; Connecticut 104.703
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 144
Vegas Line & Total: Connecticut by 1 1/2; 148
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+1 1/2); Under




WNBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, June 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN ANTONIO (3 - 4) at NEW YORK (2 - 4) - 6/5/2014, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 4-0 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 4-0 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (3 - 2) at CONNECTICUT (2 - 5) - 6/5/2014, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 248-300 ATS (-82.0 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 156-197 ATS (-60.7 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 46-69 ATS (-29.9 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 156-195 ATS (-58.5 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 40-61 ATS (-27.1 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) as a home favorite of 3 points or less since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




WNBA

Thursday, June 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. CONNECTICUT
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Washington's last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games on the road
Connecticut is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
Connecticut is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing Washington

7:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. NEW YORK
San Antonio is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
San Antonio is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
New York is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against San Antonio
New York is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games

[StarDust Bum]

7:00 PM ET

Stars

(3-4, 1-3 away)

Liberty

(2-4, 1-1 home)


7:00 PM ET, June 5, 2014

Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Stars-Liberty Preview

San Antonio Stars coach Dan Hughes believes the schedule has allowed him to make an accurate assessment of his club during the early portion of the season.

What's clear to him is that San Antonio needs to get better.

The Stars look to get back on track as they seek a fifth consecutive win over the New York Liberty on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.

San Antonio (3-4) has faced the best and worst of the WNBA to start the season with varying results. Two of its victories came against winless Tulsa, while the other marks the only defeat for Phoenix.

The Stars' most recent losses came in a home-and-home set with unbeaten defending champion Minnesota on Friday and Sunday, 88-72 and 87-79. San Antonio dropped the second game despite a late push in the final minutes.

Jia Perkins scored 16 points and Becky Hammon added 15 on Sunday.

"I think what our schedule has done for us is give us a good baseline for where we're at," Hughes said. "We've played a lot of good teams (and) we've been on the road more than we've been at home. It's pointed up what we've got to do to get to that level. We have to embrace that and work at that."

The work begins on the defensive end, as San Antonio is allowing an average of 80.1 points to rank 10th in the 12-team league in scoring defense.

"I still don't think we're where we need to be (defensively)," Hughes said. "I can't say that in either game (against the Lynx) we put two halves of defense together. It's still a work in progress."

The Stars have swept the past two season series with New York (2-4), which lost to Washington 68-60 on Friday before falling 70-66 to Indiana the following night.

Cappie Pondexter is averaging 14.7 points, but scored only seven while going 1 of 10 from the field against the Fever. She had a season-high 20 points Friday.

"It was a hard-fought battle," forward Plenette Pierson said. "It came down to the wire and they made big shots and got big rebounds when they needed to."

Tina Charles, one of the team's few bright spots after being acquired in a draft-day trade with Connecticut, scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds against the Fever. She's averaging 15.5 points and ranks second in the league with 11.7 boards per game.

Charles likely will be matched up with 6-foot-4 Stars center Jayne Appel, who scored a season-best 11 points Sunday.