With fewer than 10 games left in the regular season, Tuesday’s slate of four games was critical. Four teams in action are on the playoff bubble, one is desperate to stay in the race, while three others are aiming for home court advantages.
Detroit Shock 90, Connecticut Sun 70
The Shock have won three in a row and five of eight to pull into a fourth-place tie in the East.
The defending league champions began the season 2-7, then treaded water at 7-7 before this surge. The Associated Press beat writer for the Shock said Tuesday’s Shock were the team he expected to see all season.
Detroit shot 55 percent on Connecticut’s floor, including 8-of-11 from three-point range. Katie Smith had 19 points, hitting five treys in six tries.
The Shock have hit 90 in two straight games while making two overs. The Shock’s record straight up is still one game off their record ATS — only once in the season did Detroit fail to cover the spread in a winning effort.
Connecticut fell one game behind Atlanta for the #2 seed in the East.
Six of the Sun’s last 12 opponents have hit 90 — five of those games hit the over, while four were a loss against the spread with one push.
It was the Sun’s first home loss this month. The defensively-minded group has made six overs in seven games. The scoring has been on the favorable side of the ledger, though — Connecticut is 3-2 with a push in those six.
Atlanta Dream 103, Sacramento Monarchs 83
The Monarchs had won four of five in their desperate push to earn a seventh straight playoff appearance, but were pounded in Atlanta.
Sacramento had held five opponents in a row under 80, for three unders, but Atlanta hit 10 of their first 13 shots and shot 56 percent for the game. Iziane Castro Marques was one point shy of a career high with 30, while the Dream’s leading scorer Chamique Holdsclaw was benched with an injury.
Atlanta’s the hottest team in the league, winning eight of 10, covering each time, and making seven overs.
Sacramento is 0-7 SU and ATS when they give up 80 points on the road.
Seattle Storm 78, Washington Mystics 68
Washington and Chicago went into Tuesday’s game with identical records, tied for the fourth Eastern playoff spot. Both teams lost to Western opponents, while Detroit caught them both from behind.
The Mystics are 1-3 SU, 2-2 ATS on this Western road trip. They were blown out in Sacramento on Saturday on the second game of a back-to-back, but after two days rest, they were blown out again in Seattle. The Storm hit seven treys in the first half, five during a 31-9 run, and led 47-24 at the half.
Seattle center Janell Burse, averaging 5 points per game, has put up 14 points in two straight games, both wins over Eastern teams.
Washington has lost four of five, failing to hit 70 in the losses for three unders.
Seattle stayed two gamess ahead of Los Angeles in second place in the West. Their 11-3 home record is second-best in the league, but against the spread, they are just 7-7.
Los Angeles Sparks 75, Chicago Sky 63
Seems no one but Detroit wants the #4 spot in the East. Washington has lost four of five, Chicago four of six.
Chicago failed to cover +8, reverting to a season-long habit. Their first nine road losses were by more than 10, which the Sky finally corrected at Detroit on Aug. 9 — losing 64-58 to cover +7.5.
The Sky have the worst road record in the East, but are 4-4 ATS in their last eight, following a 1-6 start.
Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker has 42 points and 20 rebounds for the Sparks. The Sparks are 8-2 SU, 7-3 ATS, 3-7 O/U since Leslie and Parker reunited on the floor.
