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

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2014 WNBA Playoff Results

September 8, 2014

WNBA Playoff Betting Results

Wager Favorites-Underdogs Home-Away

Straight Up 11-5 9-7

Against the Spread 6-8-2 6-8-2

Total
Over-Under 10-6

WNBA Finals

Sunday, Sept. 7

Away Home Score ATS Result Total Result

Chicago Phoenix (-10) 83-62 Favorite Under (155.5)


Tuesday, Sept. 9

Away Home Score ATS Result Total Result

Chicago Phoenix - - -


Friday, Sept. 12

Away Home Score ATS Result Total Result

Phoenix Chicago - - -


Sunday, Sept. 14

Away Home Score ATS Result Total Result

Phoenix Chicago - - -


Wednesday, Sept. 17

Away Home Score ATS Result Total Result

Chicago Phoenix - - -

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WNBA
Dunkel

Chicago at Phoenix
The Mercury look to follow up their 83-62 win over Chicago in Game 1 and come into Tuesday's contest with a 13-4-1 ATS record in their last 18 games following an ATS victory. Phoenix is the pick (-11) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 15. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-11). Here are all of today's WNBA picks

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Game 603-604: Chicago at Phoenix (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 109.255; Phoenix 124.311
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 15; 158
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 11; 155
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-11); Over




WNBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, September 9

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CHICAGO (19 - 22) at PHOENIX (34 - 6) - 9/9/2014, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 1-12 ATS (-12.2 Units) against Western conference opponents this season.
CHICAGO is 1-12 ATS (-12.2 Units) in non-conference games this season.
CHICAGO is 8-16 ATS (-9.6 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
PHOENIX is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) in home games this season.
PHOENIX is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) on Tuesday this season.
PHOENIX is 22-13 ATS (+7.7 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 75-51 ATS (+18.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
PHOENIX is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games this season.
PHOENIX is 18-31 ATS (-16.1 Units) in August or September games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-2 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 4-3 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WNBA

Tuesday, September 9

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Trend Report
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9:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Phoenix
Chicago is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games when playing Chicago
Phoenix is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Chicago

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Sky-Mercury Preview

PHOENIX (AP) -- Brittney Griner swatted her way into the record books. Candice Dupree made just about every shot she took. Diana Taurasi dominated in all aspects.

Utilizing all of their star power at both ends of the floor, the Phoenix Mercury turned the opening game of the WNBA Finals into a roaring rout.

If Chicago doesn't play better or get Elena Delle Donna's back healthy, this could be one quick series -- and the Sky know it.

"I think it was a big wake-up call for us," Sky point guard Courtney Vandersloot said.

The WNBA Finals appeared to be lopsided heading into the series: a team that set a league record for regular-season victories (Phoenix with 29) facing the first one to make the playoffs with a losing record (Chicago at 15-19).

The on-paper mismatch materialized on the court in the opener as the Mercury ran past the Sky and Delle Donne, who was limited to 11 minutes because of lower-back pain.

Griner set the tone early, blocking five shots in the first quarter on her way to eight for the game, both WNBA records.

Dupree hit her first 10 shots and had 26 points on 13-of-17 shooting.

Taurasi was in full control of Phoenix's offense, finishing with 19 points and 11 assists while the Mercury shot a Finals-record 58.5 percent from the field. Phoenix also held Chicago to 32 percent in the 82-63 runaway.

A dominating performance heading into Game 2 on Tuesday, but not a series-ender -- not by any stretch.

The Sky have thrived in the underdog role all season, battling a slew of injuries to key players just to get into the playoffs, then beat Atlanta and Indiana in three-game series to get into the finals.

Even with Delle Donne ailing, the Mercury are wary of getting too confident against the Sky.

"This is a team that is hungry," Mercury coach Sandy Brondello said. "Yes, they're without Delle Donne, but they showed that they can still come back in the Indiana series and win it. We are showing them the due respect that they deserve because this is a good, young team."

Delle Donne was in clear pain during Game 1 and was still sore on Monday despite sitting out the second half the night before. She went through an assortment of treatment, including massage, stretching and ice, but the good news was that X-rays and an MRI showed no structural damage.

"I think it's maybe just frustrating for her that she felt great yesterday," Sky coach Pokey Chatman said. "Unsolicited, she just came up to me washing our hands in the locker room and said `Yeah, I feel really good.' It must be frustrating for her because she's doing everything and the trainers are taking care of her. It's a day-to-day and up-to-the-minute thing."

A bigger issue for the Sky may be the big woman in the middle for Phoenix.

Griner gave Chicago all kinds of fits in Game 1, altering as many shots as she blocked and forcing the Sky's players to kick the ball out instead of attacking the rim.

Griner's athleticism also hurt Chicago. She's 6-foot-8 with an even longer reach, but also moves well, allowing her to hedge out on screens and still get back to block or alter shots.

Finding an answer for her was a big point of emphasis for the Sky during Monday's practice.

"She was incredible," Mercury forward Penny Taylor said. "Her focus yesterday on being in the right position, she has great anticipation and I think that's the key to the blocks she had yesterday. She was prepared to help at any moment and seeing where everyone was on the floor. She was really impressive."

So were the rest of the Mercury.


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Playoff Series

Series starts 9/7

Sun 9/7 @PHX 83, CHI 62 Recap | Box Score

Sep 9, 2014 CHI @ PHX 9:00 PM ET

Sep 12, 2014 PHX @ CHI 8:00 PM ET

Sep 14, 2014 PHX @ CHI 5:30 PM ET

Sep 17, 2014 CHI @ PHX 9:00 PM ET

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Tuesday, September 9

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 9:00 PM ET Phoenix -12 500 SLAM DUNK

Phoenix - Over 156 500 DOUBLE PLAY

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WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, September 12

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PHOENIX (35 - 6) at CHICAGO (19 - 23) - 9/12/2014, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 6-2 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 5-3 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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WNBA

Friday, September 12

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Phoenix is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 9 games

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Friday, September 12

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Phoenix - 8:00 PM ET Phoenix -8 500 SLAM DUNK

Chicago - Under 157.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

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Mercury-Sky Preview


After dominating the Chicago Sky in the first two games of the WNBA Finals, Diana Taurasi and her Phoenix Mercury know that closing out the series won't be as easy.

Especially if star center Brittney Griner can't play after being hit in the right eye in Game 2 of the series. Griner didn't travel with the team to Chicago and the Mercury announced Thursday that she underwent an outpatient procedure to correct a retinal issue. She's listed as a game-time decision for Friday night.

"You know as much as I do at the moment," Phoenix coach Sandy Brondello said before practice on Thursday. "She'll be evaluated in the morning and hopefully she can play. If she can't play, we'll have to be ready for that."

Griner, averaging 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6 blocks in the series, also got hit in the mouth and lost part of her tooth in Game 2.

"If I lose an eye, I'll play with one. It's the finals," she said after Tuesday's win.

Even if Phoenix's 6-foot-8 star blocker and dunker can't play, Chicago will need to figure out a way to slow the potent Mercury offense. Phoenix shot 57 percent from the field and averaged 90 points so far in the series.

The Sky hope a change of scenery could do it. Game 3 of the best-of-five series will be in Chicago, but the Sky won't be able to play at their regular home, the Allstate Arena, because of a previously schedule Garth Brooks concert. The game will be played at the team's former home -- the University of Illinois-Chicago.

"Without a doubt, they'll have great support," Brondello said. "Everyone plays better on their home court. Winning that closeout game is always hard. We need to focus on coming out ready to play and playing at 100 percent. Ninety percent won't be good enough with or without BG. We'll just need to do what we've done all season."

A Phoenix win Friday would give the Mercury a third WNBA title and their first since 2009. It would close out a stellar season, with the team setting the WNBA record for most wins in the regular season (29).

The Sky look to play the way they did for the first 15 minutes against Phoenix in Game 2. Elena Delle Donne didn't appear to be hampered by a back injury, which sidelined her for most of Game 1. She had 22 points on Tuesday, but received little help on offense. She also was in foul trouble toward the end of the second quarter when the Mercury took command of the game.

Delle Donne says her back is better.

"I'm getting a lot of work on it now especially that I'm home and able to see some of my people," the second-year star said.

Chicago faced elimination games in both rounds of the playoffs, staving off their opponents each time.

"It's not like we haven't been here before," Delle Donne said. "Throughout the playoffs, it's felt like our backs have been against the ropes, and obviously we have a lot to clean up and fix on our end.

"They're a phenomenal team. They're going to make a lot of runs, but we are home now and we're going to have the home crowd behind us and make a run here."


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Playoff Series
Series starts 9/7

Sun 9/7 @PHX 83, CHI 62 Recap | Box Score

Tue 9/9 @PHX 97, CHI 68 Recap | Box Score

Sep 12, 2014 PHX @ CHI 8:00 PM ET

Sep 14, 2014 PHX @ CHI 5:30 PM ET

Sep 17, 2014 CHI @ PHX 9:00 PM ET