Dream-Sun Preview
Posted Jun 22 2013 12:55PM
The Atlanta Dream have continued to play solid on the defensive end without Sancho Lyttle.
The addition of veteran center Ruth Riley could make the WNBA's top team even stronger.
Riley is expected to make her Dream debut Sunday when the struggling Connecticut Sun try to prevent the Dream from their best eight-game start in franchise history.
The team's leading rebounder (9.0 per game) and second-leading scorer (15.4 points per game) behind Angel McCoughtry (19.4), Lyttle has missed the last two games while with the Spanish national team and is expected to miss four more.
Atlanta (6-1), though, has won both games in her absence, holding its opponents to 36.1 percent shooting with 35 total turnovers.
"Defense is our game. We take a lot of pride in it,'' point guard Jasmine Thomas said after the Dream used a 16-2 fourth-quarter run to pull away in last Sunday's 88-74 victory over Chicago.
The Dream, who also opened 6-1 three years ago, are among the WNBA leaders in scoring defense with 69.4 points per game and field-goal defense at 38.8 percent. They also have three of the league's steals leaders: Armintie Herrington (3.67 per game), McCoughtry (3.57) and Lyttle (2.8).
Tuesday's signing of Riley gives Atlanta another solid defender. The former All-Star and WNBA finals MVP is averaging 6.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 12 seasons.
Riley played with Chicago last season.
"She's a post player that has the ability to shoot from the outside, is a strong rebounder and can alter shots," coach Fred Williams told the Dream's official website.
The Sun (2-5) are hoping 6-foot 4 Kayla Pedersen can add some production down low after acquiring her from Tulsa on Thursday for a second-round pick in the 2014 draft. Pedersen, the seventh overall pick in 2011, has averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 69 career games.
"Kayla is a young player with good size and a promising upside who will certainly fill a need on our roster, adding much-needed height to our lineup," coach Anne Donovan told the Sun's official website.
The Sun could use some scoring from Pedersen, as they're ranked among the WNBA's worst, averaging 71.3 points on 39.3 percent shooting.
That inconsistency has made it difficult for Connecticut to put together solid 40-minute efforts. After getting outscored 32-22 in the third quarter of a 78-68 loss to New York on June 14, the Sun's deficit grew from seven to 13 in the opening 5:44 of the second half in last Sunday's 78-66 loss to Seattle.
"Coach (Donovan) gave us a great motivational speech coming out in the beginning and after halftime, but we came out flat," said center Tina Charles, the team leader with 18.6 points per game and 10.0 rebounds. "Things weren't going our way. It's just really frustrating.''
Perhaps a visit by the Dream can help as the Sun continue their four-game homestand. Connecticut has won the last four regular-season games with the Dream in town, including both last season by a combined 39 points.
Posted Jun 22 2013 12:55PM
The Atlanta Dream have continued to play solid on the defensive end without Sancho Lyttle.
The addition of veteran center Ruth Riley could make the WNBA's top team even stronger.
Riley is expected to make her Dream debut Sunday when the struggling Connecticut Sun try to prevent the Dream from their best eight-game start in franchise history.
The team's leading rebounder (9.0 per game) and second-leading scorer (15.4 points per game) behind Angel McCoughtry (19.4), Lyttle has missed the last two games while with the Spanish national team and is expected to miss four more.
Atlanta (6-1), though, has won both games in her absence, holding its opponents to 36.1 percent shooting with 35 total turnovers.
"Defense is our game. We take a lot of pride in it,'' point guard Jasmine Thomas said after the Dream used a 16-2 fourth-quarter run to pull away in last Sunday's 88-74 victory over Chicago.
The Dream, who also opened 6-1 three years ago, are among the WNBA leaders in scoring defense with 69.4 points per game and field-goal defense at 38.8 percent. They also have three of the league's steals leaders: Armintie Herrington (3.67 per game), McCoughtry (3.57) and Lyttle (2.8).
Tuesday's signing of Riley gives Atlanta another solid defender. The former All-Star and WNBA finals MVP is averaging 6.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 12 seasons.
Riley played with Chicago last season.
"She's a post player that has the ability to shoot from the outside, is a strong rebounder and can alter shots," coach Fred Williams told the Dream's official website.
The Sun (2-5) are hoping 6-foot 4 Kayla Pedersen can add some production down low after acquiring her from Tulsa on Thursday for a second-round pick in the 2014 draft. Pedersen, the seventh overall pick in 2011, has averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 69 career games.
"Kayla is a young player with good size and a promising upside who will certainly fill a need on our roster, adding much-needed height to our lineup," coach Anne Donovan told the Sun's official website.
The Sun could use some scoring from Pedersen, as they're ranked among the WNBA's worst, averaging 71.3 points on 39.3 percent shooting.
That inconsistency has made it difficult for Connecticut to put together solid 40-minute efforts. After getting outscored 32-22 in the third quarter of a 78-68 loss to New York on June 14, the Sun's deficit grew from seven to 13 in the opening 5:44 of the second half in last Sunday's 78-66 loss to Seattle.
"Coach (Donovan) gave us a great motivational speech coming out in the beginning and after halftime, but we came out flat," said center Tina Charles, the team leader with 18.6 points per game and 10.0 rebounds. "Things weren't going our way. It's just really frustrating.''
Perhaps a visit by the Dream can help as the Sun continue their four-game homestand. Connecticut has won the last four regular-season games with the Dream in town, including both last season by a combined 39 points.
Silver Stars-Liberty Preview
Posted Jun 22 2013 1:25PM
New York Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer knows his team is much more dangerous when Cappie Pondexter is on top of her game.
Another solid performance against visiting San Antonio on Sunday could help New York win a third consecutive contest while sending the reeling Silver Stars to a fifth straight defeat.
The Liberty were down 33-24 at halftime of their June 14 contest versus Connecticut, but Pondexter scored 18 of her 20 points in the final 20 minutes to help guide New York (4-2) to a 78-68 win.
"It takes 40 minutes to win or lose a game," Pondexter said. "At halftime we're down nine and (Laimbeer) reminded us it's a 40-minute game. We were able to keep our pressure up and make some huge buckets down the stretch.''
Pondexter leads the Liberty in scoring with 16.0 points per game and also is dishing out a team-best average of 3.5 assists.
"When Cappie gets going we're a pretty special ballclub at times,'' Laimbeer said. "When she wants to take over the game she's one of the best, if not the best, in doing such.''
New York has won both games since Essence Carson tore her ACL, as veteran Katie Smith has stepped into a starting role. The 39-year-old scored 10 points in the last contest to surpass Lisa Leslie for second on the WNBA's all-time scoring list.
"It's a lot of pride that you've done good work for a long period of time,'' Smith said. "You've been consistently at the top or near the top. I love this game. I love competing and playing."
The Liberty lost both meetings with San Antonio last season, though Pondexter scored 23 points in each. She's averaging 21.3 in her last four versus the Silver Stars, who returned from a winless three-game trip and lost 91-86 to Seattle on Friday.
Jia Perkins scored 21 points, Danielle Robinson had 20 and Shameka Christon added 19 in her first bench appearance as Shenise Johnson started in her place.
Coach Dan Hughes' lineup change may have had something to do with San Antonio getting outscored 49-20 in the second half of an 84-48 loss at Los Angeles on June 15. The Silver Stars scored only 13 points in the first quarter Friday, though, and committed four of their nine turnovers.
"I thought offensively we came out a little sluggish,'' Hughes said.
Perkins, the team's leading scorer at 12.4 points per game, had only 12 while shooting 3 for 14 from the field over her previous two games.
"(Friday) was one of those games where you have to find the rhythm and get things going,'' Perkins said. "I think we have to get better defensively. I think we scored enough points to win. So we just have to stop the other team from scoring more points than us."
Perkins scored 24 points in a 94-81 win over the Liberty on July 8 before Robinson's 21 helped the Silver Stars beat New York 77-66 on Sept. 18.
Posted Jun 22 2013 1:25PM
New York Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer knows his team is much more dangerous when Cappie Pondexter is on top of her game.
Another solid performance against visiting San Antonio on Sunday could help New York win a third consecutive contest while sending the reeling Silver Stars to a fifth straight defeat.
The Liberty were down 33-24 at halftime of their June 14 contest versus Connecticut, but Pondexter scored 18 of her 20 points in the final 20 minutes to help guide New York (4-2) to a 78-68 win.
"It takes 40 minutes to win or lose a game," Pondexter said. "At halftime we're down nine and (Laimbeer) reminded us it's a 40-minute game. We were able to keep our pressure up and make some huge buckets down the stretch.''
Pondexter leads the Liberty in scoring with 16.0 points per game and also is dishing out a team-best average of 3.5 assists.
"When Cappie gets going we're a pretty special ballclub at times,'' Laimbeer said. "When she wants to take over the game she's one of the best, if not the best, in doing such.''
New York has won both games since Essence Carson tore her ACL, as veteran Katie Smith has stepped into a starting role. The 39-year-old scored 10 points in the last contest to surpass Lisa Leslie for second on the WNBA's all-time scoring list.
"It's a lot of pride that you've done good work for a long period of time,'' Smith said. "You've been consistently at the top or near the top. I love this game. I love competing and playing."
The Liberty lost both meetings with San Antonio last season, though Pondexter scored 23 points in each. She's averaging 21.3 in her last four versus the Silver Stars, who returned from a winless three-game trip and lost 91-86 to Seattle on Friday.
Jia Perkins scored 21 points, Danielle Robinson had 20 and Shameka Christon added 19 in her first bench appearance as Shenise Johnson started in her place.
Coach Dan Hughes' lineup change may have had something to do with San Antonio getting outscored 49-20 in the second half of an 84-48 loss at Los Angeles on June 15. The Silver Stars scored only 13 points in the first quarter Friday, though, and committed four of their nine turnovers.
"I thought offensively we came out a little sluggish,'' Hughes said.
Perkins, the team's leading scorer at 12.4 points per game, had only 12 while shooting 3 for 14 from the field over her previous two games.
"(Friday) was one of those games where you have to find the rhythm and get things going,'' Perkins said. "I think we have to get better defensively. I think we scored enough points to win. So we just have to stop the other team from scoring more points than us."
Perkins scored 24 points in a 94-81 win over the Liberty on July 8 before Robinson's 21 helped the Silver Stars beat New York 77-66 on Sept. 18.
Shock-Lynx Preview
Posted Jun 22 2013 11:50PM
After suffering their worst loss in nearly two years, the Minnesota Lynx are surely looking forward to getting back home.
The Shock, meanwhile, are coming off their most lopsided victory since relocating to Tulsa in 2010.
Looking to stay unbeaten at Target Center, Minnesota tries for a 13th consecutive victory over the Shock on Sunday night
The Lynx (5-2) entered Friday averaging a WNBA-leading 86.5 points before getting blown out 87-59 at Los Angeles. Minnesota's starting five was limited to 17 points on 7-of-25 shooting, suffering its most lopsided defeat since falling 108-79 at Connecticut on Aug. 16, 2011.
The Lynx, who were outrebounded 43-31 and outscored 38-28 in the paint, also gave up 24 points off 17 turnovers.
"I think we got outhustled, pretty much the whole game," guard Lindsay Whalen said. "The second team went and did some really good things and made a lot of things happen. We just got outhustled and ended up taking bad shots on offense and then that kind of put our defense in a hard position. It wasn't our night."
The Lynx, though, have to be feeling good about getting back home, where they've outscored opponents by an average of 17.0 points in opening 3-0. A matchup against the Shock (3-7) could help, too.
Since falling 92-79 at Tulsa on June 4, 2010, Minnesota has taken 12 consecutive meetings in the series. Rebekkah Brunson scored 19 points and Whalen added 17 as the Lynx won 83-74 at Tulsa last Friday, holding a 48-30 edge on the glass and limiting the Shock to 38.0 percent shooting.
"We've had three- or four-minute spans when we sort of go into a funk offensively," Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "You can't do that against this team."
Tulsa, though, is coming off back-to-back wins for the first time, beating Chicago 83-74 on Thursday and Seattle 92-70 on Saturday. The Shock took a 23-12 lead into the second quarter against the Storm and never looked back.
"Once we got them down, we felt like we wanted to put the hammer down," Kloppenburg said. "We wanted to keep the pressure on from the beginning of the game all the way until the end. Tonight was very rewarding. This franchise has faced some adversity and it's nice to have some nights like this."
Roneeka Hodges was one of six players to score in double figures, posting a team-high 19 points off the bench. Glory Johnson scored 14 to go along with 12 rebounds.
"I think we all felt comfortable," said Hodges, whose team shot 50.0 percent. "We're finding who we're going to be as a team. We're doing the little things right and things are starting to come along. Everyone stuck to their roles tonight and we showed we can compete with the better teams in the league."
Posted Jun 22 2013 11:50PM
After suffering their worst loss in nearly two years, the Minnesota Lynx are surely looking forward to getting back home.
The Shock, meanwhile, are coming off their most lopsided victory since relocating to Tulsa in 2010.
Looking to stay unbeaten at Target Center, Minnesota tries for a 13th consecutive victory over the Shock on Sunday night
The Lynx (5-2) entered Friday averaging a WNBA-leading 86.5 points before getting blown out 87-59 at Los Angeles. Minnesota's starting five was limited to 17 points on 7-of-25 shooting, suffering its most lopsided defeat since falling 108-79 at Connecticut on Aug. 16, 2011.
The Lynx, who were outrebounded 43-31 and outscored 38-28 in the paint, also gave up 24 points off 17 turnovers.
"I think we got outhustled, pretty much the whole game," guard Lindsay Whalen said. "The second team went and did some really good things and made a lot of things happen. We just got outhustled and ended up taking bad shots on offense and then that kind of put our defense in a hard position. It wasn't our night."
The Lynx, though, have to be feeling good about getting back home, where they've outscored opponents by an average of 17.0 points in opening 3-0. A matchup against the Shock (3-7) could help, too.
Since falling 92-79 at Tulsa on June 4, 2010, Minnesota has taken 12 consecutive meetings in the series. Rebekkah Brunson scored 19 points and Whalen added 17 as the Lynx won 83-74 at Tulsa last Friday, holding a 48-30 edge on the glass and limiting the Shock to 38.0 percent shooting.
"We've had three- or four-minute spans when we sort of go into a funk offensively," Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "You can't do that against this team."
Tulsa, though, is coming off back-to-back wins for the first time, beating Chicago 83-74 on Thursday and Seattle 92-70 on Saturday. The Shock took a 23-12 lead into the second quarter against the Storm and never looked back.
"Once we got them down, we felt like we wanted to put the hammer down," Kloppenburg said. "We wanted to keep the pressure on from the beginning of the game all the way until the end. Tonight was very rewarding. This franchise has faced some adversity and it's nice to have some nights like this."
Roneeka Hodges was one of six players to score in double figures, posting a team-high 19 points off the bench. Glory Johnson scored 14 to go along with 12 rebounds.
"I think we all felt comfortable," said Hodges, whose team shot 50.0 percent. "We're finding who we're going to be as a team. We're doing the little things right and things are starting to come along. Everyone stuck to their roles tonight and we showed we can compete with the better teams in the league."
Mystics-Sparks Preview
Posted Jun 22 2013 5:24PM
Since an uncharacteristic defensive effort just over a week ago, the Los Angeles Sparks have been more successful after committing to buckling down at that end of the floor.
The Washington Mystics may need to take some lessons.
Los Angeles seeks a third consecutive win while dealing visiting Washington a third straight loss Sunday night.
The Sparks (4-2) were far from their best on June 14, falling to Phoenix 97-81 while allowing the Mercury to shoot 50 percent from the field. They've seen much better results since that humbling defeat, making a conscious effort to improve defensively.
Los Angeles held San Antonio to 30.2 percent shooting in an 84-48 win June 15 before routing two-time defending Western Conference champion Minnesota 87-59 on Friday.
Kristi Toliver scored a game-high 19 points, and Nneka Ogwumike added 18 and eight rebounds while helping hold the Lynx to 34.9 percent shooting.
"We were very disappointed. That was not who we were," Toliver said of the loss to Phoenix. "We wanted to identify ourselves and we are now going to be the toughest and the baddest team on the floor on a night-to-night basis.''
Ogwumike also added five assists, and Lindsey Harding returned to the lineup to score 13 points after missing the previous game with an eye injury.
"We didn't want to start bouncing around and be inconsistent,'' Ogwumike said. "To see the same consistency almost a week later in this game is definitely solidifying the identity that we're trying to find.''
Washington hasn't had much trouble scoring, but its spotty defense has been responsible for digging too big of a deficit to overcome in its last two defeats.
The Mystics (4-3) allowed 18 points in overtime and fell 96-86 to Seattle on Tuesday before their late rally fell short in Friday's 90-82 loss to Phoenix. They had won their previous three games.
"Their shots were falling,'' coach Mike Thibault said of the latest defeat. "It's disappointing because we had a chance to get back in the game, (but) we took some bad shots down the stretch.''
The offense hasn't been the issue, though. Ivory Latta scored 22 points while Matee Ajavon added 18 and Monique Currie finished with 17 and eight rebounds against the Mercury.
Latta, averaging a team-best 18.6 points, shot 10 of 16 from the field after scoring nine points and attempting a season-low seven shots against Seattle. Currie has scored in double figures in five straight after averaging 8.3 points in her first four.
Currie had 16 points in the last meeting with the Sparks on Sept. 7, but Toliver and Candace Parker netted 18 apiece in Los Angeles' 96-68 victory for its third straight win in the series.
Posted Jun 22 2013 5:24PM
Since an uncharacteristic defensive effort just over a week ago, the Los Angeles Sparks have been more successful after committing to buckling down at that end of the floor.
The Washington Mystics may need to take some lessons.
Los Angeles seeks a third consecutive win while dealing visiting Washington a third straight loss Sunday night.
The Sparks (4-2) were far from their best on June 14, falling to Phoenix 97-81 while allowing the Mercury to shoot 50 percent from the field. They've seen much better results since that humbling defeat, making a conscious effort to improve defensively.
Los Angeles held San Antonio to 30.2 percent shooting in an 84-48 win June 15 before routing two-time defending Western Conference champion Minnesota 87-59 on Friday.
Kristi Toliver scored a game-high 19 points, and Nneka Ogwumike added 18 and eight rebounds while helping hold the Lynx to 34.9 percent shooting.
"We were very disappointed. That was not who we were," Toliver said of the loss to Phoenix. "We wanted to identify ourselves and we are now going to be the toughest and the baddest team on the floor on a night-to-night basis.''
Ogwumike also added five assists, and Lindsey Harding returned to the lineup to score 13 points after missing the previous game with an eye injury.
"We didn't want to start bouncing around and be inconsistent,'' Ogwumike said. "To see the same consistency almost a week later in this game is definitely solidifying the identity that we're trying to find.''
Washington hasn't had much trouble scoring, but its spotty defense has been responsible for digging too big of a deficit to overcome in its last two defeats.
The Mystics (4-3) allowed 18 points in overtime and fell 96-86 to Seattle on Tuesday before their late rally fell short in Friday's 90-82 loss to Phoenix. They had won their previous three games.
"Their shots were falling,'' coach Mike Thibault said of the latest defeat. "It's disappointing because we had a chance to get back in the game, (but) we took some bad shots down the stretch.''
The offense hasn't been the issue, though. Ivory Latta scored 22 points while Matee Ajavon added 18 and Monique Currie finished with 17 and eight rebounds against the Mercury.
Latta, averaging a team-best 18.6 points, shot 10 of 16 from the field after scoring nine points and attempting a season-low seven shots against Seattle. Currie has scored in double figures in five straight after averaging 8.3 points in her first four.
Currie had 16 points in the last meeting with the Sparks on Sept. 7, but Toliver and Candace Parker netted 18 apiece in Los Angeles' 96-68 victory for its third straight win in the series.
Sunday, June 23
Game Score Status Pick Amount
San Antonio - 3:00 PM ET New York -5.5 500
New York - Under 146.5 500 POD # 1
Atlanta - 3:00 PM ET Atlanta -3 500
Connecticut - Under 152.5 500
Tulsa - 7:00 PM ET Tulsa +16 500 POD # 2
Minnesota - Under 161 500 POD # 3
Washington - 8:30 PM ET Los Angeles -14 500 POD # 4
Los Angeles - Under 158 500
Game Score Status Pick Amount
San Antonio - 3:00 PM ET New York -5.5 500
New York - Under 146.5 500 POD # 1
Atlanta - 3:00 PM ET Atlanta -3 500
Connecticut - Under 152.5 500
Tulsa - 7:00 PM ET Tulsa +16 500 POD # 2
Minnesota - Under 161 500 POD # 3
Washington - 8:30 PM ET Los Angeles -14 500 POD # 4
Los Angeles - Under 158 500
Fever-Dream Preview
Posted Jun 24 2013 12:54PM
The Atlanta Dream weren't at their best the last time out, but leading scorer Angel McCoughtry helped them find a way to win.
The defending WNBA champion Indiana Fever haven't done that since opening night.
Atlanta will try to continue its franchise-best start and extend its team-record home winning streak Tuesday against the injury-plagued Fever.
Up by 13 at the end of the third quarter, the Dream (7-1) held on Sunday for a 78-77 victory at Connecticut. McCoughtry scored 10 of the team's 14 fourth-quarter points - including the winning layup with 51.4 seconds left - to finish with a season-best 34.
The reigning scoring champ is second in the league with 21.3 points per game.
"I should've played better defense when they were coming back,'' McCoughtry said, "but we kind of needed this test because we haven't had many games like this. This is good for us. We needed a test like this."
It's uncertain what kind of test the league-worst Fever (1-6) will provide as they arrive in Atlanta on their worst skid since July 2007. Indiana hasn't dropped seven straight since a franchise-worst 10-game slide in its inaugural 2000 season.
The team could be hard-pressed to avoid that if 2011 MVP Tamika Catchings doesn't return after missing Saturday's 71-61 loss to Chicago with a lower back strain. The Fever continue to play without Erin Phillips (knee), Jeanette Pohlen (knee), star guard Katie Douglas (lower back) and center Jessica Davenport, who's done for the season with a stress fracture in her lower left leg.
"On paper, we aren't even supposed to be close,'' coach Lin Dunn said. "They should've blown us out of the building. You've got to give these players (credit) for battling.''
Shavonte Zellous has done a nice job in Douglas' absence - she's averaging a team-best 18.0 points on 47.4 percent shooting - but the Fever rank last in the league from the field at 38.2 percent. They're also averaging a WNBA-worst 67.6 points.
That doesn't bode well against an Atlanta team yielding the fewest points per game (70.4) and recording the most steals with 12.8 per contest.
The Dream had 12 steals in an 86-77 victory May 31 that ruined Indiana's home opener.
McCoughtry led all players with 29 points in that contest, the first between these teams since Indiana won the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals. The Fever avoided elimination in their last visit to Philips Arena, posting a 103-88 Game 2 victory Sept. 30.
Dream fans could get their first look at center Ruth Riley after she signed last week with Sancho Lyttle gone with the Spanish national team. Lyttle is expected to return following Atlanta's three-game homestand.
The Dream are 4-0 at Philips Arena for the first time, winning by an average of 14.8 points.
Posted Jun 24 2013 12:54PM
The Atlanta Dream weren't at their best the last time out, but leading scorer Angel McCoughtry helped them find a way to win.
The defending WNBA champion Indiana Fever haven't done that since opening night.
Atlanta will try to continue its franchise-best start and extend its team-record home winning streak Tuesday against the injury-plagued Fever.
Up by 13 at the end of the third quarter, the Dream (7-1) held on Sunday for a 78-77 victory at Connecticut. McCoughtry scored 10 of the team's 14 fourth-quarter points - including the winning layup with 51.4 seconds left - to finish with a season-best 34.
The reigning scoring champ is second in the league with 21.3 points per game.
"I should've played better defense when they were coming back,'' McCoughtry said, "but we kind of needed this test because we haven't had many games like this. This is good for us. We needed a test like this."
It's uncertain what kind of test the league-worst Fever (1-6) will provide as they arrive in Atlanta on their worst skid since July 2007. Indiana hasn't dropped seven straight since a franchise-worst 10-game slide in its inaugural 2000 season.
The team could be hard-pressed to avoid that if 2011 MVP Tamika Catchings doesn't return after missing Saturday's 71-61 loss to Chicago with a lower back strain. The Fever continue to play without Erin Phillips (knee), Jeanette Pohlen (knee), star guard Katie Douglas (lower back) and center Jessica Davenport, who's done for the season with a stress fracture in her lower left leg.
"On paper, we aren't even supposed to be close,'' coach Lin Dunn said. "They should've blown us out of the building. You've got to give these players (credit) for battling.''
Shavonte Zellous has done a nice job in Douglas' absence - she's averaging a team-best 18.0 points on 47.4 percent shooting - but the Fever rank last in the league from the field at 38.2 percent. They're also averaging a WNBA-worst 67.6 points.
That doesn't bode well against an Atlanta team yielding the fewest points per game (70.4) and recording the most steals with 12.8 per contest.
The Dream had 12 steals in an 86-77 victory May 31 that ruined Indiana's home opener.
McCoughtry led all players with 29 points in that contest, the first between these teams since Indiana won the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals. The Fever avoided elimination in their last visit to Philips Arena, posting a 103-88 Game 2 victory Sept. 30.
Dream fans could get their first look at center Ruth Riley after she signed last week with Sancho Lyttle gone with the Spanish national team. Lyttle is expected to return following Atlanta's three-game homestand.
The Dream are 4-0 at Philips Arena for the first time, winning by an average of 14.8 points.
Mercury-Silver Stars Preview
Posted Jun 24 2013 6:04PM
With Diana Taurasi being one of the league's best perimeter players and rookie Brittney Griner becoming a force down low, the Phoenix Mercury are proving to be an offensive threat from anywhere on the floor.
Phoenix seeks a fifth victory in six tries as it visits the San Antonio Silver Stars on Tuesday night.
Taurasi has recorded six straight 20-point games, including a 31-point performance in Friday's 90-82 win over Washington. She's averaging a league-best 24.6 points for the Mercury (4-4), who have bounced back from an 0-3 start.
The veteran guard also hit 10 of 11 free throws Friday as Phoenix frequently drove to the rim, much to the delight of coach Corey Gaines.
"We made it a point to attack the basket," Gaines told the team's official site. "I think what happens is sometimes you attack the basket and sometimes you don't get the call. In the back of your mind your thinking, 'I didn't get the call; I'm forcing it.'"
Gaines also was pleased that Griner, who scored a season-best 21 points and added four blocks, was assertive around the rim. Phoenix outscored Washington 44-22 in the paint.
``We had a little talk and she had been posting up on the block,'' Gaines said of Griner, the top overall pick who is averaging 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.9 blocks. ``She has been going outside that circle. She has to be staying inside the circle. Instead of being five feet away from the basket, she was three feet away from the basket.''
Taurasi believes the Mercury can be even more dangerous if they don't settle for outside shots.
"I think once we are aggressive like that, we feed off of it," Taurasi said.
After shooting a season-best 51.6 percent, Phoenix will look to stay hot against a San Antonio team coming off a 78-77 overtime win over New York on Sunday.
Shenise Johnson hit the winning jumper with 36.1 seconds remaining in OT as the Silver Stars (3-5) ended a four-game losing streak.
Danielle Robinson scored 18 points, Danielle Adams had 16, and DeLisha Milton-Jones added 15.
``Definitely proud of our effort, proud of the way we fought,'' Robinson said. ``We obviously let go of the (early) lead but the way we closed the game in regulation and in overtime ... we needed it and we buckled down and got it."
Coach Dan Hughes was excited his team finally was able to get over the hump.
``We're learning what it is to be in a game where they make a play and we make a play, they don't make a play we don't make a play,'' Hughes said. ``Glad to see us answer their baskets and stops. I thought we competed really well.''
Taurasi scored 25 points as Phoenix won the most recent matchup 94-90 on Sept. 1 to snap a four-game losing streak in the series.
Posted Jun 24 2013 6:04PM
With Diana Taurasi being one of the league's best perimeter players and rookie Brittney Griner becoming a force down low, the Phoenix Mercury are proving to be an offensive threat from anywhere on the floor.
Phoenix seeks a fifth victory in six tries as it visits the San Antonio Silver Stars on Tuesday night.
Taurasi has recorded six straight 20-point games, including a 31-point performance in Friday's 90-82 win over Washington. She's averaging a league-best 24.6 points for the Mercury (4-4), who have bounced back from an 0-3 start.
The veteran guard also hit 10 of 11 free throws Friday as Phoenix frequently drove to the rim, much to the delight of coach Corey Gaines.
"We made it a point to attack the basket," Gaines told the team's official site. "I think what happens is sometimes you attack the basket and sometimes you don't get the call. In the back of your mind your thinking, 'I didn't get the call; I'm forcing it.'"
Gaines also was pleased that Griner, who scored a season-best 21 points and added four blocks, was assertive around the rim. Phoenix outscored Washington 44-22 in the paint.
``We had a little talk and she had been posting up on the block,'' Gaines said of Griner, the top overall pick who is averaging 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.9 blocks. ``She has been going outside that circle. She has to be staying inside the circle. Instead of being five feet away from the basket, she was three feet away from the basket.''
Taurasi believes the Mercury can be even more dangerous if they don't settle for outside shots.
"I think once we are aggressive like that, we feed off of it," Taurasi said.
After shooting a season-best 51.6 percent, Phoenix will look to stay hot against a San Antonio team coming off a 78-77 overtime win over New York on Sunday.
Shenise Johnson hit the winning jumper with 36.1 seconds remaining in OT as the Silver Stars (3-5) ended a four-game losing streak.
Danielle Robinson scored 18 points, Danielle Adams had 16, and DeLisha Milton-Jones added 15.
``Definitely proud of our effort, proud of the way we fought,'' Robinson said. ``We obviously let go of the (early) lead but the way we closed the game in regulation and in overtime ... we needed it and we buckled down and got it."
Coach Dan Hughes was excited his team finally was able to get over the hump.
``We're learning what it is to be in a game where they make a play and we make a play, they don't make a play we don't make a play,'' Hughes said. ``Glad to see us answer their baskets and stops. I thought we competed really well.''
Taurasi scored 25 points as Phoenix won the most recent matchup 94-90 on Sept. 1 to snap a four-game losing streak in the series.
Liberty-Sky Preview
Posted Jun 25 2013 3:29PM
New York Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer isn't afraid to make changes if his squad's lackluster play from its most recent contest continues.
The Liberty begin a four-game road trip as they face the Chicago Sky in a Wednesday matinee.
Laimbeer was especially upset after New York (4-3) committed 21 turnovers in Sunday's 78-77 overtime loss to San Antonio, marking the third time his club has registered at least 20 giveaways.
Cappie Pondexter finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but she also accounted for a team-worst seven turnovers.
"I haven't been able to instill in them to take care of the basketball," Laimbeer said. "We're throwing the ball all over they gym. Some of the passes, we were just flinging it to get rid of it. It was really painful to watch.
"You can't win in our system committing (21) turnovers."
Veteran Katie Smith agreed.
"We love that we fight, we compete, we don't give up, we battle,'' Smith said. "But then we also realize if we just took care of the basketball a few more times ... we'd walk out here with a win."
Laimbeer saved some of his harshest criticism for rookie guard Kamiko Williams, who started but played only nine minutes without attempting a shot. Leilani Mitchell came off the bench to play nearly 36 minutes, scoring 11 points and dishing out six assists.
"(Williams) doesn't push the ball like I ask her to, she throws passes I don't want her to and I've talked to her and talked to her," Laimbeer said. "She needs to step up or she needs to find a new home. That's the way this business works."
It's unclear how the starting lineup will look when the Liberty face the Sky (5-3), who return home after concluding a stretch of three straight road games with a 71-61 win over Indiana on Saturday.
Epiphanny Prince scored 21 points and Elena Delle Donne finished with 13 as Chicago outscored the Fever 22-10 in the final quarter.
"It's nice to pull out a grinding win,'' coach Pokey Chatman said. "We held them to 24 points in the second half. We rebounded the ball and were able to run."
The Sky lead the Eastern Conference in scoring at 83.3 points per game, with Prince averaging 19.2 and Delle Donne leading all rookies with 18.6 per contest.
Chicago tops the league in rebounding, grabbing 41.5 per game with a WNBA-best plus-11.6 differential. Sylvia Fowles paces the league with 12.9 boards per contest.
Prince scored 20 points while Pondexter, a high school All-American while growing up in Chicago, finished with 24 as the Sky won the most recent meeting 92-83 on Sept. 7.
Posted Jun 25 2013 3:29PM
New York Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer isn't afraid to make changes if his squad's lackluster play from its most recent contest continues.
The Liberty begin a four-game road trip as they face the Chicago Sky in a Wednesday matinee.
Laimbeer was especially upset after New York (4-3) committed 21 turnovers in Sunday's 78-77 overtime loss to San Antonio, marking the third time his club has registered at least 20 giveaways.
Cappie Pondexter finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but she also accounted for a team-worst seven turnovers.
"I haven't been able to instill in them to take care of the basketball," Laimbeer said. "We're throwing the ball all over they gym. Some of the passes, we were just flinging it to get rid of it. It was really painful to watch.
"You can't win in our system committing (21) turnovers."
Veteran Katie Smith agreed.
"We love that we fight, we compete, we don't give up, we battle,'' Smith said. "But then we also realize if we just took care of the basketball a few more times ... we'd walk out here with a win."
Laimbeer saved some of his harshest criticism for rookie guard Kamiko Williams, who started but played only nine minutes without attempting a shot. Leilani Mitchell came off the bench to play nearly 36 minutes, scoring 11 points and dishing out six assists.
"(Williams) doesn't push the ball like I ask her to, she throws passes I don't want her to and I've talked to her and talked to her," Laimbeer said. "She needs to step up or she needs to find a new home. That's the way this business works."
It's unclear how the starting lineup will look when the Liberty face the Sky (5-3), who return home after concluding a stretch of three straight road games with a 71-61 win over Indiana on Saturday.
Epiphanny Prince scored 21 points and Elena Delle Donne finished with 13 as Chicago outscored the Fever 22-10 in the final quarter.
"It's nice to pull out a grinding win,'' coach Pokey Chatman said. "We held them to 24 points in the second half. We rebounded the ball and were able to run."
The Sky lead the Eastern Conference in scoring at 83.3 points per game, with Prince averaging 19.2 and Delle Donne leading all rookies with 18.6 per contest.
Chicago tops the league in rebounding, grabbing 41.5 per game with a WNBA-best plus-11.6 differential. Sylvia Fowles paces the league with 12.9 boards per contest.
Prince scored 20 points while Pondexter, a high school All-American while growing up in Chicago, finished with 24 as the Sky won the most recent meeting 92-83 on Sept. 7.
Mercury-Mystics Preview
Posted Jun 26 2013 3:59PM
With rookie Brittney Griner beginning to hit her stride, the Phoenix Mercury are playing as well as any team in the WNBA on the offensive end.
That doesn't bode well for a Washington Mystics club that struggled defensively on a disappointing road trip.
The Mercury go for their sixth win in seven games Thursday night when they visit the Mystics, losers of three straight.
After averaging 12.0 points in a three-game stretch, Griner has scored 47 points and blocked nine shots in her last two for Phoenix (5-4). The center, averaging 16.6 points, tops the league with a 60.9 field-goal percentage and 3.1 blocks per game.
With league scoring leader Diana Taurasi limited to fewer than 20 points for the first time in seven games Tuesday, Griner stepped up with a career high 26 on 11-of-19 shooting to go with seven rebounds and five blocks in an 83-77 victory at San Antonio.
"Defensively, she really patched up a lot of our mistakes," said Taurasi, who finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. "Offensively, when she gets in position like that, she has such a great touch and feel for the basket. She played really well, that's probably the best game as a pro she's played.''
Griner looks to keep rolling as the Mercury take on the struggling Mystics (4-4) for the second time in less than a week. She had 21 points and four blocks in a 90-82 home win over Washington on Friday.
Taurasi scored a game-high 31 for Phoenix, capping a six-game stretch in which the five-time All-Star averaged 28.2 points.
Behind one of the top tandems in the league, the Mercury have averaged 88.2 points while going 5-1 in their last six games after scoring 77.0 a contest during an 0-3 start.
They'll try to continue that production against the Mystics, who allowed opponents to score 88.3 per game while dropping all three contests on their road swing.
Washington's Ivory Latta, averaging a team-best 16.9 points, looks to get back on track after being held to a season-low five points in a 79-69 loss to Los Angeles in the trip finale Sunday.
"Every time she ran a pick and roll, they trapped her,'' coach Mike Thibault said. "It's fine if she's making shots and she gets assists, but that didn't happen. And I think she got into a situation where she started walking it up a little. That doesn't play into our strength right now."
Latta played at a better pace in Friday's defeat to Phoenix, finishing with 22 points and five assists. Reserve Matee Ajavon added 18 points and forward Monique Currie scored 17.
The Mystics may have a good chance to put up points against a Phoenix team that's giving up a league-worst 85.1 per game, though that may not matter if it can't slow down Griner and the Mercury inside.
Phoenix outscored Washington 44-22 in the paint and hit a season-best 51.6 percent from the field in the first meeting.
Posted Jun 26 2013 3:59PM
With rookie Brittney Griner beginning to hit her stride, the Phoenix Mercury are playing as well as any team in the WNBA on the offensive end.
That doesn't bode well for a Washington Mystics club that struggled defensively on a disappointing road trip.
The Mercury go for their sixth win in seven games Thursday night when they visit the Mystics, losers of three straight.
After averaging 12.0 points in a three-game stretch, Griner has scored 47 points and blocked nine shots in her last two for Phoenix (5-4). The center, averaging 16.6 points, tops the league with a 60.9 field-goal percentage and 3.1 blocks per game.
With league scoring leader Diana Taurasi limited to fewer than 20 points for the first time in seven games Tuesday, Griner stepped up with a career high 26 on 11-of-19 shooting to go with seven rebounds and five blocks in an 83-77 victory at San Antonio.
"Defensively, she really patched up a lot of our mistakes," said Taurasi, who finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. "Offensively, when she gets in position like that, she has such a great touch and feel for the basket. She played really well, that's probably the best game as a pro she's played.''
Griner looks to keep rolling as the Mercury take on the struggling Mystics (4-4) for the second time in less than a week. She had 21 points and four blocks in a 90-82 home win over Washington on Friday.
Taurasi scored a game-high 31 for Phoenix, capping a six-game stretch in which the five-time All-Star averaged 28.2 points.
Behind one of the top tandems in the league, the Mercury have averaged 88.2 points while going 5-1 in their last six games after scoring 77.0 a contest during an 0-3 start.
They'll try to continue that production against the Mystics, who allowed opponents to score 88.3 per game while dropping all three contests on their road swing.
Washington's Ivory Latta, averaging a team-best 16.9 points, looks to get back on track after being held to a season-low five points in a 79-69 loss to Los Angeles in the trip finale Sunday.
"Every time she ran a pick and roll, they trapped her,'' coach Mike Thibault said. "It's fine if she's making shots and she gets assists, but that didn't happen. And I think she got into a situation where she started walking it up a little. That doesn't play into our strength right now."
Latta played at a better pace in Friday's defeat to Phoenix, finishing with 22 points and five assists. Reserve Matee Ajavon added 18 points and forward Monique Currie scored 17.
The Mystics may have a good chance to put up points against a Phoenix team that's giving up a league-worst 85.1 per game, though that may not matter if it can't slow down Griner and the Mercury inside.
Phoenix outscored Washington 44-22 in the paint and hit a season-best 51.6 percent from the field in the first meeting.
WNBA
Dunkel
Los Angeles at Minnesota
The Lynx look to build on their 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 games against the Sparks in Minnesota. Minnesota is the pick (-5) according to Dunkel, which has the Lynx favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-5). Here are all of today's picks
FRIDAY, JUNE 28
Game 601-602: Tulsa at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 109.665; Indiana 108.704
Dunkel Line & Total: Tulsa by 1; 146
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 1 1/2; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (+1 1/2); Over
Game 603-604: Washington at Atlanta (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 106.851; Atlanta 115.704
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 9; 151
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 11; 156 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+11); Under
Game 605-606: Los Angeles at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 113.217; Minnesota 120.122
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 7; 158
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 5; 163 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-5); Under
Game 607-608: New York at Seattle (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New York 111.628; Seattle 109.471
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 2; 148
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 4 1/2; 143
Dunkel Pick: New York (+4 1/2); Over
WNBA
Long Sheet
Friday, June 28
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TULSA (3 - 8) at INDIANA (1 - 7) - 6/28/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TULSA is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in June games this season.
INDIANA is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in all games this season.
INDIANA is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in June games this season.
INDIANA is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 2-2 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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON (4 - 4) at ATLANTA (8 - 1) - 6/28/2013, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 231-283 ATS (-80.3 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 145-186 ATS (-59.6 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 144-183 ATS (-57.3 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-4 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 8-2 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOS ANGELES (5 - 2) at MINNESOTA (6 - 2) - 6/28/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in road games in June games over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 21-37 ATS (-19.7 Units) in road games when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 27-46 ATS (-23.6 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 6-6 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 8-4 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK (4 - 4) at SEATTLE (4 - 4) - 6/28/2013, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 64-42 ATS (+17.8 Units) in road games against Western conference opponents since 1997.
NEW YORK is 64-42 ATS (+17.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 2-2 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 2-2 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WNBA
Friday, June 28
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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7:00 PM
TULSA vs. INDIANA
Tulsa is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Tulsa is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
Indiana is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indiana's last 11 games when playing Tulsa
7:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Washington's last 14 games when playing Atlanta
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
Atlanta is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
8:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. MINNESOTA
Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
10:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. SEATTLE
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of New York's last 16 games
Seattle is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Seattle is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing New York
Dunkel
Los Angeles at Minnesota
The Lynx look to build on their 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 games against the Sparks in Minnesota. Minnesota is the pick (-5) according to Dunkel, which has the Lynx favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-5). Here are all of today's picks
FRIDAY, JUNE 28
Game 601-602: Tulsa at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 109.665; Indiana 108.704
Dunkel Line & Total: Tulsa by 1; 146
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 1 1/2; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (+1 1/2); Over
Game 603-604: Washington at Atlanta (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 106.851; Atlanta 115.704
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 9; 151
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 11; 156 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+11); Under
Game 605-606: Los Angeles at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 113.217; Minnesota 120.122
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 7; 158
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 5; 163 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-5); Under
Game 607-608: New York at Seattle (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New York 111.628; Seattle 109.471
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 2; 148
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 4 1/2; 143
Dunkel Pick: New York (+4 1/2); Over
WNBA
Long Sheet
Friday, June 28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TULSA (3 - 8) at INDIANA (1 - 7) - 6/28/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TULSA is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in June games this season.
INDIANA is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in all games this season.
INDIANA is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in June games this season.
INDIANA is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 2-2 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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON (4 - 4) at ATLANTA (8 - 1) - 6/28/2013, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 231-283 ATS (-80.3 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 145-186 ATS (-59.6 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 144-183 ATS (-57.3 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-4 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 8-2 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOS ANGELES (5 - 2) at MINNESOTA (6 - 2) - 6/28/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in road games in June games over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 21-37 ATS (-19.7 Units) in road games when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 27-46 ATS (-23.6 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 6-6 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 8-4 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK (4 - 4) at SEATTLE (4 - 4) - 6/28/2013, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 64-42 ATS (+17.8 Units) in road games against Western conference opponents since 1997.
NEW YORK is 64-42 ATS (+17.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 2-2 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 2-2 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WNBA
Friday, June 28
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7:00 PM
TULSA vs. INDIANA
Tulsa is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Tulsa is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
Indiana is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indiana's last 11 games when playing Tulsa
7:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Washington's last 14 games when playing Atlanta
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
Atlanta is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
8:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. MINNESOTA
Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
10:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. SEATTLE
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of New York's last 16 games
Seattle is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Seattle is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing New York
Shock-Fever Preview
Posted Jun 27 2013 1:00PM
The Tulsa Shock have remained competitive while two of their top players have been sidelined with injuries.
Staying close may be considered a victory for the injury-plagued Indiana Fever.
The Shock go for their first win at Indiana in five seasons Friday night when the league-worst Fever try to end the second-longest losing streak in team history.
Tulsa (3-8) is on the bottom of the Western Conference standings, but half of its losses have come in overtime. It hung around Sunday before falling 88-79 at defending West champion Minnesota despite the Lynx shooting 53.3 percent
"That's a championship-level team and I thought we fought them right down until the end,'' coach Gary Kloppenburg said.
Tulsa could be getting stronger soon with center Elizabeth Cambage (ankle) and Tiffany Jackson-Jones (ankle stress fracture) nearing their returns. Cambage, averaging 18.7 points and 8.0 rebounds, has missed the last eight games, but she is expected to join the team as it continues its four-game trip.
So is Jackson-Jones, who hasn't played since the preseason. The veteran forward missed last season due to her pregnancy.
The Shock are starting to get significant offensive contributions from sources other than leading scorer Glory Johnson (18.4 points per game). Four others - Riquna Williams, Skylar Diggins, Nicole Powell and Roneeka Hodges - have had at least one game in the last four in which they've scored 18 or more.
Diggins has averaged 14.2 points on 46.3 percent shooting over her last five games after averaging 7.0 and shooting 26.3 percent in her first five.
Tulsa, though, still has plenty of issues on defense. The Shock are giving up 83.6 points per game on 47.3 percent shooting - both among the WNBA's worst.
Those numbers could improve as the Fever (1-7) struggle to find offense with three of their top seven scorers from 2012 title team yet to play this season. Rookie guard Layshia Clarendon (ankle) is also out, and guard Katie Douglas (lower back) and former MVP Tamika Catchings (back strain) are both nursing injuries.
Not surprisingly, Indiana has the league's worst offense, averaging 66.6 points on 37.9 percent shooting.
The Fever have scored 61 or 60 points in four straight games after Tuesday's 76-60 loss at Atlanta.
"We'll get some shooters back,'' coach Lin Dunn said. "Douglas and (Jeanette) Pohlen and (Erin) Phillips are worth 30 points, easy. That would be nice, wouldn't it? Just ride it out. There's nothing else you can do but ride it out.''
With Catchings not expected back until the end of next week and Douglas likely sidelined until the middle of next month, guard Shavonte Zellous, the team leader with 18.0 points, will likely be the focal point as Indiana attempts to end its worst skid since a 10-game slide in its 2000 inaugural season.
The Fever, 0-4 at home, have won five straight in this series since a 79-74 loss May 29, 2010.
Indiana posted its largest margin of victory over the Shock on Sept. 23, 91-58 at home.
Posted Jun 27 2013 1:00PM
The Tulsa Shock have remained competitive while two of their top players have been sidelined with injuries.
Staying close may be considered a victory for the injury-plagued Indiana Fever.
The Shock go for their first win at Indiana in five seasons Friday night when the league-worst Fever try to end the second-longest losing streak in team history.
Tulsa (3-8) is on the bottom of the Western Conference standings, but half of its losses have come in overtime. It hung around Sunday before falling 88-79 at defending West champion Minnesota despite the Lynx shooting 53.3 percent
"That's a championship-level team and I thought we fought them right down until the end,'' coach Gary Kloppenburg said.
Tulsa could be getting stronger soon with center Elizabeth Cambage (ankle) and Tiffany Jackson-Jones (ankle stress fracture) nearing their returns. Cambage, averaging 18.7 points and 8.0 rebounds, has missed the last eight games, but she is expected to join the team as it continues its four-game trip.
So is Jackson-Jones, who hasn't played since the preseason. The veteran forward missed last season due to her pregnancy.
The Shock are starting to get significant offensive contributions from sources other than leading scorer Glory Johnson (18.4 points per game). Four others - Riquna Williams, Skylar Diggins, Nicole Powell and Roneeka Hodges - have had at least one game in the last four in which they've scored 18 or more.
Diggins has averaged 14.2 points on 46.3 percent shooting over her last five games after averaging 7.0 and shooting 26.3 percent in her first five.
Tulsa, though, still has plenty of issues on defense. The Shock are giving up 83.6 points per game on 47.3 percent shooting - both among the WNBA's worst.
Those numbers could improve as the Fever (1-7) struggle to find offense with three of their top seven scorers from 2012 title team yet to play this season. Rookie guard Layshia Clarendon (ankle) is also out, and guard Katie Douglas (lower back) and former MVP Tamika Catchings (back strain) are both nursing injuries.
Not surprisingly, Indiana has the league's worst offense, averaging 66.6 points on 37.9 percent shooting.
The Fever have scored 61 or 60 points in four straight games after Tuesday's 76-60 loss at Atlanta.
"We'll get some shooters back,'' coach Lin Dunn said. "Douglas and (Jeanette) Pohlen and (Erin) Phillips are worth 30 points, easy. That would be nice, wouldn't it? Just ride it out. There's nothing else you can do but ride it out.''
With Catchings not expected back until the end of next week and Douglas likely sidelined until the middle of next month, guard Shavonte Zellous, the team leader with 18.0 points, will likely be the focal point as Indiana attempts to end its worst skid since a 10-game slide in its 2000 inaugural season.
The Fever, 0-4 at home, have won five straight in this series since a 79-74 loss May 29, 2010.
Indiana posted its largest margin of victory over the Shock on Sept. 23, 91-58 at home.
Mystics-Dream Preview
Posted Jun 28 2013 12:43AM
The Atlanta Dream have cruised to a franchise-best start. And with a game against the struggling Washington Mystics on tap, they seem likely to improve on that record.
Atlanta looks to stay undefeated at home Friday night when it faces a Washington team it already defeated on the road earlier this month.
Four straight victories have led the Dream to an 8-1 start, their best ever and the WNBA's current top mark. They're also 5-0 at home after a 76-60 victory over defending champion Indiana on Tuesday.
Angel McCoughtry - who led the WNBA in scoring last year at 21.4 points per game - had a season-high 34 points in Sunday's win over Connecticut. But Atlanta only needed 16 from her in Tuesday's win.
"I don't think I would've had the energy to put up 34 points today," said McCoughtry, averaging 20.7 points. "We flew back (Monday) and practiced. It was a lot, but it was a good game. The girls played well."
Aside from McCoughtry's scoring, Atlanta has relied on excellent defense. The Dream are holding opponents to a league-best 69.2 points per game, allowing 60 or fewer in three of their last six contests.
Atlanta's 16 steals against Indiana matched a season high, and the club's average of 13.1 leads the league.
"We have to realize, with the season we're having this year, we can't come out lackadaisical," said McCoughtry, who accounted for seven of those steals and leads all players with 3.9 per game. "We have to come out like a championship team, playing hard from the jump. Fortunately, our defense picked it up in the second quarter when we held them to 10 points."
The Mystics (4-5) got off to a promising 4-1 start after finishing last in the Eastern Conference each of the last two seasons with a combined 11-57 record. But they've since lost four in a row and gave up a season high in points in a 101-97 home loss to Phoenix on Thursday - the third time in four contests an opponent scored 90 or more.
Some bad luck may have also contributed to the fourth straight defeat. The Mystics trailed Phoenix 99-96 when Matee Ajavon hit a 3-pointer as she was fouled with 4.5 seconds left. However, the refs later ruled the foul was on the floor, negating the shot.
"I don't know what to say," coach Mike Thibault said. "I haven't watched that play yet, so I don't know. I know that the official put their hand up for a shot attempt and I didn't hear a whistle until then."
Atlanta claimed a 73-63 win at Washington on June 2. The Mystics' 39.6 percent 3-point shooting leads the league, but they were 0 for 5 from beyond the arc in that contest.
McCoughtry scored 15, while Crystal Langhorne - who went 12 of 13 to score 27 against Phoenix - also finished with 15.
Posted Jun 28 2013 12:43AM
The Atlanta Dream have cruised to a franchise-best start. And with a game against the struggling Washington Mystics on tap, they seem likely to improve on that record.
Atlanta looks to stay undefeated at home Friday night when it faces a Washington team it already defeated on the road earlier this month.
Four straight victories have led the Dream to an 8-1 start, their best ever and the WNBA's current top mark. They're also 5-0 at home after a 76-60 victory over defending champion Indiana on Tuesday.
Angel McCoughtry - who led the WNBA in scoring last year at 21.4 points per game - had a season-high 34 points in Sunday's win over Connecticut. But Atlanta only needed 16 from her in Tuesday's win.
"I don't think I would've had the energy to put up 34 points today," said McCoughtry, averaging 20.7 points. "We flew back (Monday) and practiced. It was a lot, but it was a good game. The girls played well."
Aside from McCoughtry's scoring, Atlanta has relied on excellent defense. The Dream are holding opponents to a league-best 69.2 points per game, allowing 60 or fewer in three of their last six contests.
Atlanta's 16 steals against Indiana matched a season high, and the club's average of 13.1 leads the league.
"We have to realize, with the season we're having this year, we can't come out lackadaisical," said McCoughtry, who accounted for seven of those steals and leads all players with 3.9 per game. "We have to come out like a championship team, playing hard from the jump. Fortunately, our defense picked it up in the second quarter when we held them to 10 points."
The Mystics (4-5) got off to a promising 4-1 start after finishing last in the Eastern Conference each of the last two seasons with a combined 11-57 record. But they've since lost four in a row and gave up a season high in points in a 101-97 home loss to Phoenix on Thursday - the third time in four contests an opponent scored 90 or more.
Some bad luck may have also contributed to the fourth straight defeat. The Mystics trailed Phoenix 99-96 when Matee Ajavon hit a 3-pointer as she was fouled with 4.5 seconds left. However, the refs later ruled the foul was on the floor, negating the shot.
"I don't know what to say," coach Mike Thibault said. "I haven't watched that play yet, so I don't know. I know that the official put their hand up for a shot attempt and I didn't hear a whistle until then."
Atlanta claimed a 73-63 win at Washington on June 2. The Mystics' 39.6 percent 3-point shooting leads the league, but they were 0 for 5 from beyond the arc in that contest.
McCoughtry scored 15, while Crystal Langhorne - who went 12 of 13 to score 27 against Phoenix - also finished with 15.
Sparks-Lynx Preview
Posted Jun 27 2013 2:45PM
A renewed focus on the defensive end has keyed a run that has the Los Angeles Sparks climbing the Western Conference standings.
Taking over first place, however, likely won't be easy in Minnesota.
The red-hot Sparks will attempt to win their fourth straight and move ahead of the Lynx on Friday night when the West's top teams meet for the second time in a week.
Since allowing a season-worst 97 points in a loss at Phoenix on June 14, Los Angeles (5-2) limited opponents to 58.7 per game while sweeping three games on its recent homestand.
The Sparks, who rank among the WNBA's stingiest defenses by holding opponents to an average of 70.6 points, held the defending West champion Lynx (6-2) to season lows in points and field-goal percentage (34.9) in an 87-59 home win last Friday.
It was Minnesota's most lopsided defeat since falling 108-79 at Connecticut on Aug. 16, 2011.
Los Angeles limited Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus, Minnesota's top two scorers, to a combined eight points on 4-of-14 shooting before holding Washington leading scorer Ivory Latta to five in a 79-69 win over the Mystics on Sunday.
Guard Lindsey Harding, coming off a season-best 22-point game Sunday, leads the Sparks at 16.2 per game while also playing a large role on the defensive end.
"She's an aggressive point guard who sees the floor well, pushes in transition and attacks,'' said teammate Alana Beard. "On top of all of that, she plays really good defense, so it's nothing unusual from Lindsey.''
The Lynx, though, have been particularly unstoppable at the Target Center, averaging 91.0 points while winning all four home games by an average of 15.0 points. They've also won four of five overall and own a half-game lead over Los Angeles in the West.
The Sparks, 0-2 on the road, have dropped six straight in Minnesota - including a 94-77 loss in the 2012 conference finals.
Moore and Augustus each had 22 points to help the Lynx bounce back from their blowout loss in Los Angeles with an 88-79 victory over visiting Tulsa on Sunday.
"It doesn't matter who (our opponent is)," Moore told the team's official website. "Especially if it's from the Western Conference. We definitely want to make a statement and show who we are ... We still have a lot of work to do. (It's) very early in the season still."
Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike has to be a concern for Minnesota after helping Los Angeles gain a 43-31 edge on the boards and 38-28 advantage in the paint in the first meeting.
Ogwumike had 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting with eight rebounds in that victory, and has averaged 16.3 points during the team's three-game winning streak.
The clubs are scheduled to meet for the third time in 11 days July 2 in Los Angeles.
Posted Jun 27 2013 2:45PM
A renewed focus on the defensive end has keyed a run that has the Los Angeles Sparks climbing the Western Conference standings.
Taking over first place, however, likely won't be easy in Minnesota.
The red-hot Sparks will attempt to win their fourth straight and move ahead of the Lynx on Friday night when the West's top teams meet for the second time in a week.
Since allowing a season-worst 97 points in a loss at Phoenix on June 14, Los Angeles (5-2) limited opponents to 58.7 per game while sweeping three games on its recent homestand.
The Sparks, who rank among the WNBA's stingiest defenses by holding opponents to an average of 70.6 points, held the defending West champion Lynx (6-2) to season lows in points and field-goal percentage (34.9) in an 87-59 home win last Friday.
It was Minnesota's most lopsided defeat since falling 108-79 at Connecticut on Aug. 16, 2011.
Los Angeles limited Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus, Minnesota's top two scorers, to a combined eight points on 4-of-14 shooting before holding Washington leading scorer Ivory Latta to five in a 79-69 win over the Mystics on Sunday.
Guard Lindsey Harding, coming off a season-best 22-point game Sunday, leads the Sparks at 16.2 per game while also playing a large role on the defensive end.
"She's an aggressive point guard who sees the floor well, pushes in transition and attacks,'' said teammate Alana Beard. "On top of all of that, she plays really good defense, so it's nothing unusual from Lindsey.''
The Lynx, though, have been particularly unstoppable at the Target Center, averaging 91.0 points while winning all four home games by an average of 15.0 points. They've also won four of five overall and own a half-game lead over Los Angeles in the West.
The Sparks, 0-2 on the road, have dropped six straight in Minnesota - including a 94-77 loss in the 2012 conference finals.
Moore and Augustus each had 22 points to help the Lynx bounce back from their blowout loss in Los Angeles with an 88-79 victory over visiting Tulsa on Sunday.
"It doesn't matter who (our opponent is)," Moore told the team's official website. "Especially if it's from the Western Conference. We definitely want to make a statement and show who we are ... We still have a lot of work to do. (It's) very early in the season still."
Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike has to be a concern for Minnesota after helping Los Angeles gain a 43-31 edge on the boards and 38-28 advantage in the paint in the first meeting.
Ogwumike had 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting with eight rebounds in that victory, and has averaged 16.3 points during the team's three-game winning streak.
The clubs are scheduled to meet for the third time in 11 days July 2 in Los Angeles.
Liberty-Storm Preview
Posted Jun 27 2013 4:16PM
The New York Liberty haven't been able to solve the turnover troubles that have plagued them in the early going.
They also haven't been able to figure out how to win in Washington State throughout most of their history.
The slumping Liberty look to take better care of the basketball and snap an eight-game road skid against the Storm on Friday night.
New York (4-4), which has committed a WNBA-worst 19.5 turnovers per game, finished with 17 in an 87-74 loss to Chicago on Wednesday.
"We went back to the ways we had in the first part of the season - turning the ball over and we're not good enough to turn the ball over like we did in spurts,'' said coach Bill Laimbeer, whose team has committed 38 giveaways while dropping its last two games.
Guard Cappie Pondexter had 21 points and finished with one turnover in the opener of a four-game trip after accounting for a team-worst seven in a 78-77 loss to San Antonio on Sunday.
Pondexter, the team leader with 17.0 points per game, has averaged 20.0 in her last three contests. She scored a game-high 23 in an 84-66 loss in the team's last trip to Seattle on Aug. 26.
New York, 0-3 away from home, hasn't beaten the Storm (4-4) on the road since a 67-62 victory at Spokane Arena on June 26, 2004. The Liberty's last victory at Seattle was May 30, 2002, and New York is 3-9 all-time on the road in the series.
While they won't have to deal with injured stars Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, who combined for 34 points in the last meeting, the Liberty will have to contend with forwards Tina Thompson and Camille Little.
Both players, however, are coming off rough performances. Little averaged 17.7 points during a three-game winning streak but matched a season low with six in a 92-70 loss at Tulsa on Saturday.
Thompson scored a season-low three points and shot 1 of 8 against the Shock. The WNBA's all-time leading scorer had averaged 22.7 during the win streak.
Seattle will be playing its lone home game in a seven-game span.
"We have to survive this stretch,'' coach Brian Agler said.
The Liberty may be able to improve their ballhandling in this game as the Storm have forced only nine turnovers in each of their last two. Seattle has also allowed at least 86 points in its past three contests.
Already without forward Essence Carson following season-ending knee surgery Wednesday, New York could be missing post player Plenette Pierson after she injured her right knee against the Sky.
Posted Jun 27 2013 4:16PM
The New York Liberty haven't been able to solve the turnover troubles that have plagued them in the early going.
They also haven't been able to figure out how to win in Washington State throughout most of their history.
The slumping Liberty look to take better care of the basketball and snap an eight-game road skid against the Storm on Friday night.
New York (4-4), which has committed a WNBA-worst 19.5 turnovers per game, finished with 17 in an 87-74 loss to Chicago on Wednesday.
"We went back to the ways we had in the first part of the season - turning the ball over and we're not good enough to turn the ball over like we did in spurts,'' said coach Bill Laimbeer, whose team has committed 38 giveaways while dropping its last two games.
Guard Cappie Pondexter had 21 points and finished with one turnover in the opener of a four-game trip after accounting for a team-worst seven in a 78-77 loss to San Antonio on Sunday.
Pondexter, the team leader with 17.0 points per game, has averaged 20.0 in her last three contests. She scored a game-high 23 in an 84-66 loss in the team's last trip to Seattle on Aug. 26.
New York, 0-3 away from home, hasn't beaten the Storm (4-4) on the road since a 67-62 victory at Spokane Arena on June 26, 2004. The Liberty's last victory at Seattle was May 30, 2002, and New York is 3-9 all-time on the road in the series.
While they won't have to deal with injured stars Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, who combined for 34 points in the last meeting, the Liberty will have to contend with forwards Tina Thompson and Camille Little.
Both players, however, are coming off rough performances. Little averaged 17.7 points during a three-game winning streak but matched a season low with six in a 92-70 loss at Tulsa on Saturday.
Thompson scored a season-low three points and shot 1 of 8 against the Shock. The WNBA's all-time leading scorer had averaged 22.7 during the win streak.
Seattle will be playing its lone home game in a seven-game span.
"We have to survive this stretch,'' coach Brian Agler said.
The Liberty may be able to improve their ballhandling in this game as the Storm have forced only nine turnovers in each of their last two. Seattle has also allowed at least 86 points in its past three contests.
Already without forward Essence Carson following season-ending knee surgery Wednesday, New York could be missing post player Plenette Pierson after she injured her right knee against the Sky.
Friday, June 28
Game Score Status Pick Amount
Tulsa - 7:00 PM ET Tulsa +1.5 500 POD # 3
Indiana - Over 141.5 500
Washington - 7:30 PM ET Atlanta -10.5 500 POD # 1
Atlanta - Under 156.5 500
Los Angeles - 8:00 PM ET Minnesota -5 500 POD # 2
Minnesota - Over 163 500 POD # 4
New York - 10:00 PM ET New York +4.5 500 POD # 6
Seattle - Over 143 500 POD # 5
Game Score Status Pick Amount
Tulsa - 7:00 PM ET Tulsa +1.5 500 POD # 3
Indiana - Over 141.5 500
Washington - 7:30 PM ET Atlanta -10.5 500 POD # 1
Atlanta - Under 156.5 500
Los Angeles - 8:00 PM ET Minnesota -5 500 POD # 2
Minnesota - Over 163 500 POD # 4
New York - 10:00 PM ET New York +4.5 500 POD # 6
Seattle - Over 143 500 POD # 5
WNBA
Dunkel
Phoenix at Connecticut
The Mercury look to build on their 5-0 ATS record in their last 5 games at Connecticut. Phoenix is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-3 1/2). Here are all of today's picks
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
Game 651-652: Phoenix at Connecticut (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 111.211; Connecticut 105.784
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 5 1/2; 164
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 3 1/2; 169
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-3 1/2); Under
Game 653-654: Los Angeles at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 119.051; Chicago 113.529
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 5 1/2; 164
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 160
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+2 1/2); Over
WNBA
Long Sheet
Saturday, June 29
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PHOENIX (6 - 4) at CONNECTICUT (2 - 6) - 6/29/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 14-30 ATS (-19.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 2-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 3-1 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LOS ANGELES (5 - 2) at CHICAGO (6 - 3) - 6/29/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in road games in June games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 2-2 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 3-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WNBA
Saturday, June 29
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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. CONNECTICUT
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games
Phoenix is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Connecticut
Connecticut is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Connecticut is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
8:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Los Angeles's last 21 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
Dunkel
Phoenix at Connecticut
The Mercury look to build on their 5-0 ATS record in their last 5 games at Connecticut. Phoenix is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-3 1/2). Here are all of today's picks
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
Game 651-652: Phoenix at Connecticut (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 111.211; Connecticut 105.784
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 5 1/2; 164
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 3 1/2; 169
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-3 1/2); Under
Game 653-654: Los Angeles at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 119.051; Chicago 113.529
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 5 1/2; 164
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 160
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+2 1/2); Over
WNBA
Long Sheet
Saturday, June 29
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PHOENIX (6 - 4) at CONNECTICUT (2 - 6) - 6/29/2013, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 14-30 ATS (-19.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 2-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 3-1 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LOS ANGELES (5 - 2) at CHICAGO (6 - 3) - 6/29/2013, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in road games in June games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 2-2 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 3-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WNBA
Saturday, June 29
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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7:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. CONNECTICUT
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games
Phoenix is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Connecticut
Connecticut is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Connecticut is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
8:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Los Angeles's last 21 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
