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

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

06/18/14 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*150 Detail
06/17/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
06/15/14 5-*3-*0 62.50% +*850 Detail
06/13/14 5-*5-*0 50.00% -*250 Detail
06/12/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail
06/11/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*50 Detail
06/10/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
06/08/14 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
06/07/14 0-*6-*0 0.00% -*3300 Detail
06/06/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail
06/05/14 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
06/03/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2000 Detail
06/01/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail

Totals 38-*32-*0 54.29% +1400

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Preview: Shock (4-5) at Sparks (3-7)

Date: June 19, 2014 10:30 PM EDT


Since the franchise relocated to Tulsa in 2010, the Shock haven't experienced anything even resembling the success that was so prevalent in previous years in Detroit.

Skylar Diggins and new coach Fred Williams seem on their way to changing that.

The Shock seek a fifth consecutive victory Thursday night as they begin a four-game road trip against the slumping Los Angeles Sparks.

Tulsa (4-5) went 29-107 in its first four seasons in Oklahoma after appearing in four WNBA Finals and winning three titles during the franchise's 12 seasons in the Motor City.

It began in familiar fashion this season by dropping its first five games, but Diggins helped cap a 4-0 homestand by scoring a career-high 26 points in Sunday's 85-79 win over Seattle to give Tulsa its longest winning streak since relocating.

The second-year guard averaged 22.3 points during the homestand and is fourth in league in scoring at 19.2 points per game. Courtney Paris had her fifth double-double in six games Sunday, finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

'We're a tough team," Paris said. "We had some adversity in the beginning, losing five games to start the season. It was good adversity because we learned from it. Now we're winning those close games.'

Williams coached Atlanta to the WNBA Finals last season before being let go, and he's trying to bring a winning mentality to a franchise that hasn't been to the playoffs since its relocation.

'After five years, starting as an expansion team, we're just trying to secure that home court-advantage,' Williams said. "If you can secure those tight games at home, it will put you in a good position at the end of the season."

Now the Shock must learn to win on the road, where three of their four losses have come by four points or fewer.

Tulsa will get its road trip started against a familiar opponent after beating the Sparks at home 69-67 on Friday. Diggins hit the tiebreaking jumper with 1.9 seconds remaining and finished with 22 points.

That was the closest Los Angeles (3-7) came to a win during a stretch in which it's lost four straight by an average of 14.8 points. Alana Beard scored 18 points and Candace Parker added 16 against Minnesota on Tuesday, but the Sparks fell 94-77.

Los Angeles, which sits in last place in the West, had a long team meeting after allowing the Lynx to shoot 63.8 percent.

'It's a matter of individually and as a team, just putting it together and playing with a little bit more effort and heart,' Beard said. 'I can put all those things you want on the paper and tell us to do this and tell us to do that, but if we stop trusting each other and if we don't put it all out there, nothing will come of it. Hopefully we'll get back into this race.'

The Sparks are still without starting guard Kristi Toliver, who has missed the last three games while training with the Slovakian national team.

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Stars-Storm Preview


Posted Jun 18 2014 1:28PM

Coming off their highest-scoring effort in nearly three years, and now possibly motivated by their city's NBA title, the San Antonio Stars are out to avenge their latest defeat.

Less than a week after falling at home to Seattle, the Stars visit the Storm on Thursday night looking to string together back-to-back wins and get back to .500.

San Antonio (5-6) salvaged a win on a three-game homestand with Saturday's 101-74 victory over Los Angeles after falling 79-72 to Seattle on Friday. Coach Dan Hughes credited the impressive offensive turnaround to ball movement as his team shot 54.8 percent and went 9 of 15 from 3-point range, its best shooting night of the season.

"When we reviewed the tape upteen times last night, we were spotty (on ball movement)," Hughes said. "We had ball movement and other parts we didn't. If we are going to be a good basketball team, we've got to have it the entire game. We had it the entire game and you see the effect of that."

The Stars also went 24 of 24 from the foul line on their way to their highest regulation scoring output since a 102-91 win over Phoenix on July 28, 2011.

Danielle Robinson scored a season-high 24 points while Kayla McBride went 4 for 4 from 3-point range on her way to 20 points in a bounce-back effort. The rookie had gone 5 for 27 in her previous two contests.

"Thank goodness," McBride said. "I was like, 'Ah, finally.' I had been missing so many shots. I worked so hard to get them, so I'm finally hitting them."

San Antonio will now try to perfect things on the defensive end, where it has allowed a league-high 49.6 percent shooting. Seattle (5-8) has shot 54.8 percent in its last two games - Friday's win over the Stars and Sunday's 85-79 loss at Tulsa.

Tanisha Wright had a season-high 24 points and has averaged 16.4 in her last five, more than double her career average of 8.0.

Rebounding will likely be at the center of the Storm's focus after Tulsa posted a 36-23 advantage, including 14-5 on the offensive glass. They have been outrebounded on the offensive end for four straight games by a 47-20 total.

"Giving up second shots gave us trouble and we didn't guard the pick and roll very well tonight," Seattle coach Brian Agler said. "They put us in rotation and when you go into rotation usually it consists of your post players. When they do that shots go up then you are out of position to block out and that's what happened tonight."

The loss concluded a 2-2 road trip, and the Storm will now try for a third straight home victory.

Seattle has won five of the last seven meetings and can secure at least a split of the four-game season series with a second victory over the Stars in seven days.

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WNBA
Dunkel

San Antonio at Seattle
The Stars head to Seattle tonight to face the Storm (5-8) and come into the contest with a 10-4 ATS record in their last 14 games against a team with a losing SU record. San Antonio is the pick (+3) according to Dunkel, which has the Stars favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+3). Here are all of today's WNBA picks.

THURSDAY, JUNE 19

Game 651-652: San Antonio at Seattle (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 111.348; Seattle 110.405
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 1; 138
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 3; 146 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+3); Under

Game 653-654: Tulsa at Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 110.577; Los Angeles 114.288
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 3 1/2; 163
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 7; 157
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (+7); Over




WNBA

Thursday, June 19

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Trend Report
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10:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Antonio's last 10 games when playing Seattle
San Antonio is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games

10:30 PM
TULSA vs. LOS ANGELES
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tulsa's last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tulsa's last 9 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 7 games at home
Los Angeles is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home

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WNBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, June 19

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SAN ANTONIO (5 - 6) at SEATTLE (5 - 8) - 6/19/2014, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 101-68 ATS (+26.2 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1997.
SEATTLE is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 5-5 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 6-4 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TULSA (4 - 5) at LOS ANGELES (3 - 7) - 6/19/2014, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TULSA is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
TULSA is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
TULSA is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 17-30 ATS (-16.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 40-62 ATS (-28.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in June games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 8-22 ATS (-16.2 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 139-176 ATS (-54.6 Units) after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 111-145 ATS (-48.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 25-44 ATS (-23.4 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
TULSA is 8-1 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 6-4 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

06/18/14 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*150 Detail
06/17/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
06/15/14 5-*3-*0 62.50% +*850 Detail
06/13/14 5-*5-*0 50.00% -*250 Detail
06/12/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail
06/11/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*50 Detail
06/10/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
06/08/14 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
06/07/14 0-*6-*0 0.00% -*3300 Detail
06/06/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail
06/05/14 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
06/03/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2000 Detail
06/01/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail

Totals 38-*32-*0 54.29% +1400



Thursday, June 19

Game Score Status Pick Amount

San Antonio - 10:00 PM ET San Antonio +4 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Seattle - Under 145.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Tulsa - 10:30 PM ET Tulsa +5.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

Los Angeles - Over 158.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA rookies already making an impact


NEW YORK (AP) - Chiney Ogwumike keeps an eye on games around the WNBA. Not just to see how her sister Nneka is doing, but also to check out her fellow rookies.

Sitting on the bus to the WNBA draft this April, Ogwumike and the other first-year players really bonded. Then again, most of them have known each other for years competing as teammates and opponents in high school, AAU and college.

''Our class, we've known each other for a long time,'' said Ogwumike, who was selected No. 1 overall by Connecticut. ''We definitely have personality in our class. We talked about leading our teams, and we give each other advice. I do root for them.''

So much hype surrounded the 2013 rookie class led by Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins that it would have been nearly impossible for that group to live up to expectations in its first season. This year's crop of first-year players faces the same challenge.

''Not having the big name helps,'' said Ogwumike, who is averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds - most among rookies. ''That's different, we don't have that. There's no pressure on me per se. I'm at an organization that I feel really comfortable with. Failure is helping you learn. That makes you sort of fearless.''

Ogwumike and fellow rookie Alyssa Thomas have the Sun on a roll lately with wins in four straight games.

So far this season, 23 rookies have played in a game, that's the sixth most over the last decade according to STATS and the season is only a third of the way done.

''It's been fun to watch everyone go out there and show what they can do,'' said Atlanta's Shoni Schimmel, who is averaging 5.4 assists - fifth best in the league. ''We did some impressive things in college and we're all trying to adjust to being professional basketball players.''

General managers and coaches throughout the league saw this year's class as a talented group that could supplement teams, but didn't expect many players to make immediate impacts.

''I'm pleasantly surprised by the way they've played so far across the league,'' San Antonio Stars coach and general manager Dan Hughes said. ''We've seen a few of them already and they've been difference makers.''

Hughes has his own young star in Kayla McBride, whom the Stars took with the third pick in the draft. She's averaging 11.8 points and already had a 30-point effort this season. McBride, who starred at Notre Dame, became the 18th rookie to reach that scoring mark. Only Candace Parker did it earlier in her rookie season.

''It's really been great so far and I'm blessed by having great people to learn from here,'' McBride said.

Washington has its own pair of rookies who already have made a difference, former UConn teammates Stefanie Dolson and Bria Hartley.

''It's a talented group of girls who came in this year as rookies so we definitely have that connection with each other and we're just trying to play as hard as we can,'' Dolson said.

Hartley added that the group had more in mind than just playing in the league. They want to help it grow.

''We want this league to be more competitive,'' she said. ''We want you to come out and watch our game. We're going to compete as hard as we can every night and we're going to try to give everyone the game to watch.''

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Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

06/22/14 5-*5-*0 50.00% -*250 Detail
06/20/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail
06/19/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
06/18/14 3-*3-*0 50.00% -*150 Detail
06/17/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
06/15/14 5-*3-*0 62.50% +*850 Detail
06/13/14 5-*5-*0 50.00% -*250 Detail
06/12/14 0-*2-*0 0.00% -*1100 Detail
06/11/14 1-*1-*0 50.00% -*50 Detail
06/10/14 2-*2-*0 50.00% -*100 Detail
06/08/14 1-*3-*0 25.00% -*1150 Detail
06/07/14 0-*6-*0 0.00% -*3300 Detail
06/06/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail
06/05/14 3-*1-*0 75.00% +*950 Detail
06/03/14 4-*0-*0 100.00% +*2000 Detail
06/01/14 6-*2-*0 75.00% +*1900 Detail

Totals 51-*41-*0 55.43% +2950

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Mystics-Stars Preview

Danielle Robinson is proving how much she is developing as the San Antonio Stars' top scorer.

Now she has a chance to demonstrate her improvement against a Washington Mystics club she struggled to score against last season.

Robinson will try to help the Stars post a fourth straight victory Tuesday when they look to hand the stumbling Mystics a fifth consecutive defeat.

Washington (5-9) won last season's two meetings by an average of 16.0 points thanks to balanced scoring, as no player scored more than 14 points in either contest.

San Antonio (7-6) was led by Jia Perkins' 17.0 scoring average in those games as Robinson struggled to total 12 points on 6-of-18 shooting, although the playmaking guard had 17 assists.

Robinson figures to fare better from the floor now since she is averaging a career-high 14.1 points while ranking third in the WNBA with 5.8 assists per game. She led the league with 6.7 assists per game in 2013 but has become more of a scoring threat in her fourth season.

"She's always had great quickness, and she was very well-coached in college," coach Dan Hughes said. "But now she's learning to make the right basketball play, and she's increased her ability to shoot the basketball. So this is just not a quick player that penetrates and dishes and dumps."

Robinson came through in the clutch Sunday in a 72-69 win over Los Angeles. She tied the game with 40 seconds left and added a driving layup with 8.4 to go that proved to be the difference.

San Antonio will also have Becky Hammon available Tuesday after the veteran guard did not play in either meeting with the Mystics last year.

The 37-year-old Hammon is nearing the end of her career, but she's scored in double figures in every game of this win streak with 11 points Sunday.

"Obviously Becky's a vet," Robinson said. "To have her presence out there is really nice."

San Antonio will get its first look at a young Washington team in which rookie Bria Hartley has emerged as the leading scorer with 11.1 points per game. The UConn product scored a season-high 26 points in Sunday's 89-86 overtime loss to Seattle.

"She's fantastic," veteran Mystics guard Kara Lawson said. "Forget that she's a rookie. She really doesn't have many weaknesses and is really good at every phase of the game."

The Mystics could use a change in fortunes from Hartley's backcourt mate. Ivory Latta is averaging 6.7 points in her last seven games after averaging 14.1 in her first seven.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Storm (6-9) at Sparks (4-8)

Date: June 24, 2014 3:30 PM EDT


After finding a measure of redemption in overtime, the Seattle Storm look to avenge a season-opening defeat.

Seattle seeks just its second win in its last eight road matchups with the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday in a meeting of the West's worst teams.

The Storm (6-9) defeated Washington 89-86 at home in overtime Sunday, three days after an 87-82 overtime loss to San Antonio.

"What happened Thursday night helped us tonight," coach Brian Agler said Sunday. "I could just see a little bit more grit and determination and persistence down the stretch."

Sue Bird finished with 21 points and forced overtime with a 3-pointer with 1:17 remaining, while Camille Little scored nine of her 22 points in the extra period. Little was 3 for 4 in overtime after missing all seven of her second-half shots.

Seattle hit a season high 12 3-pointers on 24 attempts. Bird was 3 for 7 while Shekinna Stricklen hit 4 of 6 and is 12 for 18 over her last four contests.

The Sparks (4-8) are shooting a league-worst 27.7 percent from 3-point range and are the only team below the Storm in the West, though they did claim an 80-69 victory in Seattle on May 16.

The Storm committed 19 turnovers in that matchup, but it's been Los Angeles struggling with giveaways lately. The Sparks had a season-high 23 turnovers in Sunday's 72-69 loss to the Stars and are averaging 16.2 while losing five of six.

Candace Parker had 17 points but accounted for seven of those turnovers Sunday after committing no more than four in a game this season.

"Way too many of them," coach Carol Ross said. "I thought when San Antonio went in their zone, it's that old basic fake-a-pass to make-a-pass. We were staring our targets down. We weren't getting hands on balls, and then we were trying to jam it in when people weren't open. We were just forcing. If it don't fit, don't force it. It's just basic basketball. I don't care what level it is. We just weren't very good with decision making in those instances."

Nneka Ogwumike had a season-high 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting with 11 rebounds. Jantel Lavender added 14 points and 13 rebounds but missed a shot after Danielle Robinson's go-ahead layup with eight seconds left for San Antonio.

Parker and Alana Beard combined for 35 points on 15-for-25 shooting for Los Angeles in the first matchup with Seattle while Little was held to eight points. Bird shot 2 for 8 with five turnovers and four assists.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Seattle at Los Angeles
The Storm head to LA today where they are 4-11-1 ATS in their last 16 games versus the Sparks. Los Angeles is the pick (-8) according to Dunkel, which has the Sparks favored by 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-8). Here are all of today's WNBA picks.

TUESDAY, JUNE 24

Game 601-602: Washington at San Antonio (12:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 106.755; San Antonio 114.911
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 8; 146
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 5 1/2; 151
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-5 1/2); Under

Game 603-604: Seattle at Los Angeles (3:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 106.322; Los Angeles 116.968
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 10 1/2; 144
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 8; 149
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-8); Under




WNBA

Tuesday, June 24

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Trend Report
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2:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Washington's last 12 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Antonio's last 12 games when playing at home against Washington
San Antonio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

3:30 PM
SEATTLE vs. LOS ANGELES
Seattle is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Seattle's last 9 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Seattle
Los Angeles is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Chicago at Connecticut
The Sun play host to a Chicago team that is 7-0 ATS in the last 7 games between the two teams. Chicago is the pick (+2) according to Dunkel, which has the Sky favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+2). Here are all of today's WNBA picks.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25

Game 651-652: Tulsa at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 109.975; Indiana 111.579
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 1 1/2; 159
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 4 1/2; 153 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (+4 1/2); Over

Game 653-654: Chicago at Connecticut (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 110.369; Connecticut 108.752
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 160
Vegas Line & Total: Connecticut by 2; 156 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+2); Over




WNBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, June 25

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TULSA (5 - 7) at INDIANA (6 - 6) - 6/25/2014, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TULSA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
TULSA is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in June games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 3-1 against the spread versus TULSA over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 4-0 straight up against TULSA 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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CHICAGO (6 - 7) at CONNECTICUT (7 - 6) - 6/25/2014, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) as a home favorite of 3 points or less since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 102-67 ATS (+28.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 18-32 ATS (-17.2 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 9-1 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 7-3 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Wednesday, June 25

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
TULSA vs. INDIANA
Tulsa is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Tulsa is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Indiana's last 10 games at home
Indiana is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games

7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. CONNECTICUT
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Chicago is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
Connecticut is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Connecticut is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chicago

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Shock (5-7) at Fever (6-6)

Date: June 25, 2014 7:00 PM EDT


While they've been inconsistent this month, the Indiana Fever have proved steady in recent home games. They just haven't had many, but that's about to change.

They'll open a three-game homestand seeking a fourth consecutive win on their own floor Wednesday night against the Tulsa Shock, who are eager to build on their first road victory with help from Indiana native Skylar Diggins.

The Fever (6-6) have alternated wins and losses in six games in June, with only one coming at home. However, eight of their 11 contests before the All-Star break are in Indianapolis.

They fell 83-77 in a competitive visit to Minnesota on Sunday. The game featured seven ties in an 8:17 span bridging the third and fourth quarters, but Indiana was done in by 18 turnovers which led to 25 points for the Lynx.

"Down the stretch, we have to find ways to execute and get scores rather than turnovers," said Karima Christmas, who had a season-high 18 points.

Christmas, averaging 6.0 points, has a combined 32 in the last two games. Leading scorer Briann January (12.0 points per game) had 16 points after averaging 5.3 in her prior four contests.

The Fever, who haven't played at home since beating Seattle on June 11, also play Phoenix and Atlanta on this homestand. To start it, they have a chance to record their longest home win streak since 2012, when they won their final seven regular-season games in Indianapolis en route to the WNBA title.

Indiana, though, will face a Shock team seeking its sixth win in eight games.

Tulsa (5-7), closing a four-game trip, was 0-6 on the road before outlasting Chicago 105-99 in overtime Sunday.

Diggins led the way with a career-high 33 points in front of a number of family and friends who traveled from her hometown of South Bend, Ind.

"I wasn't really thinking of the career game. I'm happy we won on the road," the former Notre Dame star said.

Glory Johnson matched a season high with 22 points and rookie Odyssey Sims contributed 18.

Diggins, among the league leaders with 19.5 points per game, seeks her first win over the Fever after Tulsa was swept in last year's two-game series. She had a combined nine points on 4-of-16 shooting in those games as a rookie, including just two points in an 80-69 defeat at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Indiana's Tamika Catchings totaled 51 points in the two games but hasn't played this season because of an ailing back.

The Fever have won seven in a row over Tulsa and have claimed the last eight home matchups, including the postseason, since a 2008 playoff defeat to the then-Detroit Shock.

[StarDust Bum]

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

Date: June 25, 2014 7:00 PM EDT


The Connecticut Sun are enjoying their longest winning streak in nearly two years.

But with Elena Delle Donne expected to return, the Chicago Sky should be a worthy opponent for the WNBA's hottest club.

Connecticut seeks a sixth straight victory Wednesday night when it hosts Chicago.

The Sun (7-6) have won five in a row for the first time since July 6-13, 2012, and are seeking their first seven-game run since July 20-Sept. 5, 2008.

Coach Anne Donovan's club was last in the Eastern Conference at the beginning of the month, but has since climbed to second place. The Sun were a league-worst 10-24 last season.

"I like the progress we've made. We're gaining confidence," Donovan said. "They stayed confident when we were in the hole and continued to work through it. Every day in practice they worked they prepared and refused to look at the one and whatever our record was (1-5). I like the team I'm seeing out there quite a bit."

While the Sun are 6-2 at home, they've dropped three of their last four meetings there with Chicago. Connecticut also lost twice in Chicago earlier this season, 78-68 on May 21 and 101-82 on May 30.

Delle Donne is expected to return after a five-game absence due to symptoms from her Lyme disease. Chicago (6-7) is 1-4 without her and has dropped six of seven overall.

The league's reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 22.3 points in eight games but hasn't played since scoring seven in a 97-59 loss at Atlanta on June 7.

However, the Sky may be missing Delle Donne more on defense. They're allowing 89.4 points per game without her after giving up 79.1 in eight games with her. The No. 2 overall pick in last year's draft averages 1.8 blocks and tallied six in Chicago's two wins over Connecticut while averaging 24.5 points.

The Sky are also missing 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Sylvia Fowles, who has yet to play due to a hip injury but could return this week.

Connecticut is coming off an 89-67 home win over Indiana on Tuesday, with Chiney Ogwumike scoring all 18 of her points in the second half. She leads all rookies with 16.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, though she was 11 for 27 with 29 points in the losses to Chicago.

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday, June 25

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 7:00 PM ET Connecticut -2.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY

Connecticut - Over 156 500 DOUBLE PLAY


Tulsa - 7:00 PM ET Tulsa +3.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

Indiana - Under 153.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY