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mb

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/121000

Quote: Scouting report: Sparks - This is the first of a six-game road trip for Los Angeles, which is 5-4 away from home. Rookie Candace Parker, who is first in the league in rebounds, second in blocks and sixth in points, is averaging 28 points and 12 rebounds in three games against Phoenix.

Mercury - Phoenix is one of three teams in the league and the only one in the West with a losing record at home (4-5). Guards Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter have scored at least 20 points in the same game 10 times this season.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/mercury/articles/2008/07/16/20080716mercury0717.html

Quote: Sparks update: Los Angeles sits in third place in the Western Conference two games behind the first-place San Antonio Silver Stars. The Sparks defeated the Silver Stars 75-62 on Monday in Los Angeles, but they still struggled. Prior to that game, the Sparks lost road games to Sacramento and Seattle. The Sparks scored a season-low 52 points against the Storm and were outrebounded by 18.

Mercury update: Phoenix has lost three in a row and five of its past six games. Its longest win drought of the year was when it started the season with four consecutive defeats. The Mercury will be aiming to split the season series with Los Angeles after they lost badly on the road July 6. G Diana Taurasi, the league's top scorer, was held to a season-low eight points in that game.

*see the Rebkell board for Free throw disparity discussion

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mb · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:38 am Post subject:

interesting video interview w/DT on the State of the Mercury...top right of the article listed above...AZ Republic/12 News/AZCentral

whiterose · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 33

Now that was WNBA-style defensive intensity. If the Merc can put out that kind of effort on the defensive end on most nights, things will turn around in the standings. Congratulations on a hard-EARNED victory.

MercuryBoFan · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 258 Location: Glendale

Now that was Mercury Basketball. You could see the fire and intensity in the ladies last night !

mb · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:15 am Post subject:

http://www.wnba.com/games/20080717/LASPHO/boxscore.html

http://www.wnba.com/games/20080717/LASPHO/recap.html

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/121068

Quote: "I don’t think anyone did anything spectacular,” coach Corey Gaines said. “They did what they’re supposed to do. That was it.”

The Mercury snapped their three-game losing streak with a 99-92 victory at US Airways Center and in the process pulled closer in the tightly bunched playoff race.

“It was a very important win for us,” said Taurasi, who had 23 points, three coming on a 27-footer as time expired in the first half, which pulled Phoenix to within 50-47.

The victory prevented the Mercury (10-12) from slipping into sole possession of last in the West (they kept pace with Houston, which won earlier) and pulled them to within a half game of fourth place.

“These last few games (before the Olympic break) come down to whether or not we want to make it to the playoffs,” said Pondexter, who paced Phoenix with 27 points and went 11-for-11 at the free-throw line. “This gives us a chance.”

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/mercury/articles/2008/07/17/20080717mercury.html

Quote: The Mercury started the second quarter on a 9-2 run that included five points from guard Kelly Miller.

Miller, who recently has been more aggressive, was a thorn in the side of Los Angeles all game. She mixed it up with Lisa Leslie, drawing a foul on the Sparks center, faced off with Candace Parker in a jump ball and blocked the shot of 5-foot-2 Shannon Bobbitt.

Miller finished with 16 points.

*was Miller Time's run to start the third quarter?

Quote: Down 50-47 at halftime, the Mercury came out firing to gain momentum.

Diana Taurasi passed to Pondexter for a 3-pointer to pull the Mercury within two points, and Pondexter fed Taurasi the next time down the court for a 3-pointer.

The Mercury moved ahead 56-54 on the next possession when Tangela Smith sank their third consecutive 3-pointer.

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