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mb

http://www.wnba.com/games/20080727/INDPHO/preview.html

Quote: As they approach the WNBA's month-long Olympic hiatus, the defending champion Phoenix Mercury are in last place. In the parity-filled Western Conference, though, they're also one hot stretch away from playoff position.

The Mercury will try to build upon one of their most impressive wins of the season on Sunday when they host the Indiana Fever in both teams' last game prior to the break.

Phoenix (12-14) has struggled this season due to its league-worst defense. The Mercury allow 89.5 points per game, nearly 20 points more on average than the Fever (11-14), who yield just 69.9.

Over the last two games, however, Phoenix has seen its defense take some small steps in the right direction. The Mercury lost 83-74 at Sacramento on Thursday, but that was the fewest points they had allowed since July 1.

Phoenix did even better defensively on Friday, beating Western Conference power Seattle 94-80. It was just the fourth time this season the Mercury had given up 80 points or fewer.

They're now just two games behind Los Angeles for the West's final playoff spot.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/121711

Quote: Phoenix will enjoy the comfort of home again tonight when it hosts the Indiana Fever, as well as the first four games once it returns from the Olympic break on Aug. 28. Tonight’s tip-off is at 6 p.m.

If the Mercury play as well as they did Friday in those five games, last year’s WNBA champs should be right in the thick of the battle for a playoff berth and a chance to defend their title.

When they return from the break, they host San Antonio, Minnesota, Sacramento and Houston over a 10-day stretch.

“We’ve got to win the next one (Indiana tonight) and keep going,” Mercury coach Corey Gaines said.

“The West is going to be a funny deal to the end.”

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/mercury/articles/2008/07/26/20080726mercury.html

Quote: Entering Saturday night's games, the Mercury ranked last in the Western Conference and two games out of the final playoff spot with eight games left.

"Until we're mathematically out of it, we have a shot," Taurasi said.

Forward Le'coe Willingham said she knows the importance of every game.

"These games now . . . we have to fight like our lives depended on it," she said. "Every game is drastic, but we're definitely not out of it by a long shot."

The Mercury's 94-80 win over the Seattle Storm on Friday showed their ability to stay focused despite losing a 20-point lead.

Taurasi said the situation was familiar, as the Mercury have lost games after squandering big leads.

"If you can't learn from your past mistakes, you're stupid, right?" she said. "In the last two weeks, we've had leads and just let it slip away. We've learned . . . which is good."

Coach Corey Gaines said the Mercury will need to keep up the tempo and limit the Fever's "bigs," including forward Katie Douglas, center Tammy Sutton-Brown, and forward Tamika Catchings. Catchings will join Pondexter and Taurasi on the Olympic team.

"If we can go out on a win, we're still in the hunt," he said. "We'd be one game below .500 and still in the mix for that fourth-place spot."

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mb · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:23 am Post subject:

Make certain to watch the video (DT and CP talk Olympics)...upper right corner of the Republic article.

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

I was at the game tonight and it was a good game despite the ladies losing yet again. Tonight, my wife and I took five of our cousins to the game, three of them from Michigan and they had a blast.

I think they might even check out some games in Detroit as I have told them that they have a good team out there in Michigan.

Anyways, this Mercury team needs to add another scorer ( Taylor ) or they may just come up short and miss the playoffs.

This team is so unpredictable and good enough to make the playoffs but I still feel they need another scorer. Oh well, I'm gonna enjoy the olympic break and take my mind off the Mercury and enjoy the push towards the playoffs when play resumes.

My four month old son Erick Jr. will be making his first Mercury game appearance when play resumes on the 28th of August so that will be fun.

See you all in August !