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[CNOTES]

NBA Finals: Cavs-Warriors, Game 2 adjustments and what to watch


THREE KEY QUESTIONS


1. How does the Kyrie Irving injury affect both teams? The Warriors were adamant about not allowing Irving's absence to a letdown. Andre Iguodala talked about the Warriors' regular season struggles vs. teams which were missing stars. Steve Kerr said if they had such a problem, there was something wrong with the team.


"If we have a letdown in The Finals, there is something fundamentally flawed with us each individually and as a team," Kerr said. "There is no way that can possibly happen, right? I mean, we're lucky to be up 10. We're one inch away from being down 10.


This is a team that got to The Finals beating the No. 1 seed the East without Kyrie for a couple games. The challenge is still enormous. There's still so much for us to cover and deal with. There's not any threat of anything like that."


For the Cavaliers, it's simple. No one guy has to step up. LeBron James will have the ball more, but it's hard for him to do much more offensively. He joked Saturday that he doesn't know how much more aggressive he can be than the 38 shots he hoisted in Game 1. Matthew Dellavedova will start, and hopes to rebound from a rough nine minutes in Game 1 (zero points or shots, three assists, Cavs outscored by 13 with him on the floor).


J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert have to get going, either on their own or through off-ball movement. Shumpert said Friday the Cavs would have to use some flare action to get weak-side shooters going, but James Jones also said that has to maintain floor balance to keep defenders out of the paint and allow perimeter penetrators (read: James) to attack. It's a tough balancing act for the Cavaliers, who really need a second playmaker to produce points.


2. Can the Cavaliers control the pace again? One "win within the loss" for Cleveland in Game 1 was its ability to control the pace. Cleveland stagnated the Warriors in transition, which allowed their defense to get stops, and then grind out possessions on the other end. The game was much slower than the Warriors have played at per game in the playoffs, and that benefits the Cavs, especially with their rebounding advantage.


If the Warriors speed up the game, they make more shots, which allows their defense to set, which forces perimeter misses, all of which quickens the pace. It's all about one thing feeding into another. Stephen Curry said nerves actually stagnated and threw off the Warriors' pace in Game 1 and he expects them to be more focused in Game 2.


Cleveland's only hope is to drag this thing into the mud. They don't have the weapons for a space-and-pace shootout anymore.


3. Can James do any more? He has to set up teammates more, and knows it. But he was also defensive about his his Game 1 performance, saying how he "got 40" instead of being "given 40." That may be true, but the Warriors helped. They openly talked before Game 1 about being willing to live with James taking contested jumpers as long three things happened:


He wasn't getting to the rim
He wasn't in rhythm
The other Cavaliers didn't get loose
All three happened ... and the Cavs almost won.


That's brought a lot of consternation from folks about whether the Cavs' plan was effective. Here's the reality: Had the Warriors lost Game 1, they would have pointed to rebounding issues, sloppy play, poor shooting and nerves. They would have talked about creating better playmaking opportunities when the defense forced the ball out of Curry's hands and about having better rim protection against Timofey Mozgov. The Warriors weren't happy with how they guarded LeBron because they won. They won in part because they defended James in a way they know is replicable.


How James approaches Game 2 will go a long way in determining if the Cavs have a shot here.


THE HIGHLIGHT: We'll miss Irving's shot-making and his sick handle. But we'll also miss his defense, which was shockingly great against Curry in Game 1, never more so than on this play, recovering from behind for the block.


Get well soon.


The Line: The Irving injury only bumped the line for Game 2 by 1.5 points, landing at Warriors minus-7.5 before jumping to eight points Saturday after Game 1's 6-point line, which the Warriors covered ... in overtime.


It's tempting to ride Cleveland here. After all, they have played well with James on the floor and Irving out. They are 5-2 in the playoffs on the road vs. the spread as well. However, the Irving injury just seems like too much vs. a team with a solid game plan. The Warriors know how to attack the Cavs and it's just not likely that the Splash Brothers struggle for a second straight game. Who's more due to produce, the Splash Brothers or Smith after his improbable playoffs?


The under, however, is tempting at 200.5. The Cavaliers should be able to use their size and smarts to drag the pace down again, and simply may not be able to score enough points to near 100.

 

[CNOTES]

LeBron James: Warriors didn't let him have 40, he got 40


OAKLAND -- LeBron James too umbrage Friday to the assertion that the Warriors "gave him" 44 points in his Game 1 loss behind an effort to play him 1-on-1 and take away his playmaking options.


"You don't let me have 40. I go get 40. It's not like they're just getting out of the way. So those guys aren't saying we're okay with letting him have 40. You don't let me have 40; I'm making those shots."


James had 44 points, but did so on 38 shots, and most of them came on contested mid-range jumpshots, an overall inefficient shot. James was 7-for-22 outside of the paint in Game 1.


The Warriors had a different perspective.


"I don't think LeBron wants to shoot 40 times," Andrew Bogut said after Game 1. I think our defense predicated that a little bit. I think he wants to play-make a little more, and we'll live with him shooting it."


"The biggest thing we wanted to do was take away easy baskets for him," Harrison Barnes said Saturday. "Wide-open dunks, anything easy. Make him take a lot of free throws to take him out of his rhythm. He made a lot of contested jump shots and he made them, he had 44. I think that's what we'll live with if we can take away his teammates as well."


That line between "giving" James 40 and "letting him have" 40 is a thin one, but an important one. It's fine for James to posture and make it seem as if his production in Game 1 was his choice, but his track record as a versatile scorer, paint presence, and playmaker suggests otherwise. LeBron James didn't all of a sudden become Carmelo Anthony, high-volume chucker, overnight.


James also took umbrage with the idea they played him "one on one."


"Sometimes they didn't dig in the post," he said. "Sometimes they let me play one-on-one. Sometimes Bogut was over on the tilt and brought two defenders. They switched sometimes on pick-and-rolls. Sometimes they went under. So they were giving me everything. They're not just giving me one steady dosage of we're going to just let him play. No. That's what they want to get out to you guys, but that's not what's happening. Yeah, I see it all throughout the course of the game. They've given me different match-ups, just trying to keep me off balance."


It's true that there was typically help coming from the weakside when James would attempt to get past his initial defender, typically with them "shading" him baseline. The Warriors' help, however, wasn't coming early as it was so often vs. Chicago and Atlanta. James did acknowledge that the Warriors' weak-side defenders were staying closer to his perimeter weapons.


"I think one of the things is trying to stay at home on a lot of my shooters. They didn't give James Jones as much air space," James said.


So, wait, which was it? Because if they weren't playing him one-on-one, but they were staying home on shooters, how does that work? It's mostly about the angle and timing of the help, which was nearly flawless in Game 1 for the Warriors. An inefficient James night on high volume where J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert have 15 combined points? That's a recipe the Warriors want to cook up every time. James, though, was insistent that it's nothing new and that he'll figure out how to better attack Golden State in Game 2.


"But I've seen it all, and I've got to do a better job as well getting my other guys involved. I'm okay with getting big numbers and things of that nature, but I feel much better when I'm able to get my guys in rhythm and get them guys some more looks."


He'd better, and they'd better knock them down. Without Kyrie Irving, these Finals are in danger of becoming the Warriors vs. LeBron James even more than they were in Game 1, and that's not a formula for a Cavaliers upset.

 

[CNOTES]

Warriors wary of letdown vs. Cavs without Irving


OAKLAND, Calif. -- Kyrie Irving is out, but the Golden State Warriors are not going to let the Cavaliers sneak up on them despite their second best player being out. At least, that was the message Saturday after Warriors practice before Sunday's Game 2 of the NBA Finals.


With Irving out, there's a letdown to be expected from Golden State. Much of the intensity that was so high before, during, and after has dissipitated since the extent of the injury was revealed Friday afternoon. That was apparent in the atmosphere from both teams and amongst the media. However, there's a trend that has gone on in the NBA of teams missing a key player, often even their best player, performing very well, as opponents can lack energy without the marquee matchup.


Warriors guard Andre Iguodala warned against that mentality Saturday.


"We had some games where we didn't play up to our level of talent because a guy was out," Iguodala said. "It snuck up and almost bit us a few times. You know, Steph saved us.


"We've been through it and we've experienced it, so hopefully experience will help us with that. But at the same time, like I said before, they're going to make some adjustments. They played well with Dellavedova in there in the Chicago and the Atlanta series, so he's going to find a rhythm because he's going to be in the game more."


Dellavedova stepped up in the series vs. Atlanta, hitting key shots, making bold defensive plays and helping get the ball moving. Steph Curry said that the news of Irving's injury hasn't changed the Warriors' approach.


"The mood in our locker room has been the same. It feels the same today as it did yesterday and before Game 1. We know that being in The Finals is a huge accomplishment, but we've got to leave it all out there to get four more wins, and it's going to be tough regardless of who is out there on Cleveland's roster. They're a great team, and that's why they're here.


"There is no pressure or added pressure, I don't think, because our goal stays the same. We're not really listening to any outside noise or predictions or who is favored to do what because we control what we control. When we go out there and play, we've got to play better than we did in Game 1. And that is really our only focus is to come out, win Game 2, and go from there."


Steve Kerr went a step further, saying that if there was any letdown in the Finals, there's something truly wrong with the Warriors.


"If we have a letdown in The Finals, there is something fundamentally flawed with us each individually and as a team. There is no way that can possibly happen, right? I mean, we're lucky to be up 10. We're one inch away from being down 10.


This is a team that got to The Finals beating the No. 1 seed the East without Kyrie for a couple games. The challenge is still enormous. There's still so much for us to cover and deal with. There's not any threat of anything like that."


In a series that feels like such a letdown for all involved in a postseason marred by disappointment over injuries, the Warriors only have to concern themselves with staying up and taking care of business. Their road to the title just became easier, but they still have to drive it.

 

[CNOTES]

Cavaliers, Warriors react to Kyrie Irving's injury before Game 2


OAKLAND -- There's not much that can be said about the fact that Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the Finals with a fractured kneecap, but the Cavaliers and Warriors said what you'd expect the day before Game of the NBA Finals. There was an air of disappointment for both teams, even if the Warriors were insistent that they could not allow themselves a letdown vs. the Cavs, and even if the Cavaliers maintained they would be "ready" as LeBron James said Saturday before practice.


"Obviously, we've been in this situation," James said referring to Irving's absence in the Eastern Conference Finals with knee tendinitis, "but we always knew at some point he'd come back. Knowing that he's out for the rest of The Finals and out for a period of a long time, first of all, it sucks for him personally. It's a huge blow for our team, especially at this stage."


"I understand that we was the underdog coming into the series, and with Kyrie being out people are writing us off. So, I mean, that's fine. That's fine. I'm motivated to get our guys ready to go tomorrow, and we will be ready."


Being ready means more Matthew Dellavedova who will get the start after playing less than ten minutes in Game 1 and being eaten alive by Steph Curry, as the Cavaliers were outscored by 10 points when the Australian sensation was on the floor.


David Blatt told reporters that Irving was not on a minutes restriction in Game 1, nor any other restriction in regards to his knee after suffering from tendinitis the past two rounds. Blatt said the fracture in Irving's left kneecap was a contact injury caused by knee-to-knee contact, and had no impact from his previous injury.


Both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green lamented the loss of Irving, stating how unfortunate it was while asserting how dangerous the Cavs remain.


"You know, you feel sorry for him, you never want to see anyone get hurt," Green said. "One thing people forget, they talk about the game and everything, but you have to live with that every day of his life. He has to deal with it every day this summer. So it's tough. They're still a great ballclub."


Beyond Dellavedova, there's also the expectation that James will have to carry more of the load with Irving out. Draymond Green doesn't know if it's possible.


"I didn't think he could do more than he did in Game 1," Green said. "It seemed like he had the ball every possession in Game 1. It'll be interesting to see how this game goes. I didn't think it was possible for him to do any more."


The Cavaliers still have to compete, still have to try and make what seems like the impossible happen. Irving's out, the Cavs are out-matched, and as Blatt said, it is what it is.


"The situation as it is is what it is," Blatt said, "and we are going to come out and play and play to win. Request no quarter and no sympathy. We've got to come out and play and play to win. That's it."

 

[CNOTES]

Cavs' limited success on Steph Curry will be tough to duplicate in Game 2


OAKLAND, Calif. -- Hidden in a thrilling Game 1 overtime, the devastating Kyrie Irving injury, the battle over whether LeBron James "got" or "was given" 44 points, and the rest of the drama of the NBA Finals was a facet which escaped scrutiny:


Neither of the Splash Brothers played well for the Golden State Warriors in their 108-100 victory Thursday.


The numbers look fine. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry scored a combined 47 points, with Curry making 10 of 20 shots. But within that context is the fact that Thompson shot 5 of 14, and with four minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Warriors trailing, Curry had only 18 points. And "only" five 3-pointers.


It really felt as though Curry hadn't made his presence truly felt in Game 1 until those final nine minutes, where the Warriors took over, survived a LeBron winning attempt and an Iman Shumpert near-buzzer-beater, then dominated in overtime. The Finals are as much about mental approach as strategy for superstars, and it took Curry a while to get going. But then, the problem early on wasn't isolated to Curry.


The Cavaliers lead by 14 points early, largely because of an extremely slow start by the Warriors. Golden State has had problems with first quarters in home playoff games, but it was especially evident in Game 1 that nerves were kicking in. But it wasn't overactivity; the Warriors on Friday pointed to forcing shots and a lack of movement for causing their early strugle.


"I think we had to settle in and move the ball a little more," Harrison Barnes said. "The first 5-[to]-10 minutes of the game, we got a lot of quick shots, we didn't move the ball like we usually do. We kind of forced some shots."


"We had seven days off in between games," Curry said. "Obviously, they had eight. But it kind of was an adjustment period just to get back into the flow of a game-like atmosphere and experience."


The Warriors had expected some nerves coming in, and their experience coming back from so many double-digit deficits this postseason, and typically early ones, helped in allowing them to move past the nerves. The Warriors shot 50 percent after the first quarter.


"We finally settled in," Curry added. "I think guys, I don't want to use the word nervous, but we were just so excited to be finally playing that we might have been in a little bit of a rush, or your bodies might be moving a little slower than your minds are."


Still, the Cavs were somewhat successful in defending Curry. He was quick to point out, much the same way LeBron James does, none of it was anything new. However, coming in the slower Cavaliers faced questions about their ability to switch bigs onto Curry and contain him in pick and rolls. Both Timofey Mozgov and Tristan Thompson stepped up to answer that call big time.


"We only let Curry and Thompson get good looks a few times," Shumpert said, acknowledging bad looks for most players can be good looks for Curry. "One off an offensive rebound, one our big relaxed for just a second and Curry got one off in the corner. But we did a great job even when our bigs switched onto him, taking on the one-on-one challenge. Lot of positives to take away from Game 1."


Meanwhile, James Jones spoke to the Cavs' transition defense which prevented many of Curry's devastating pull-up 3s.


"We controlled the tempo. that's primarily what you want to do. You want to minimize mistakes and minimize their opportunities. They take a lot of shots, they want to create more possessions and they get up those shots in transition. We did a good job of containing them in transition."


Of course, the Warriors and Curry will adjust. The nerves won't be as bad in Game 2, and the Warriors will be more than prepared to punish the Cavs for making other players into playmakers, which Jones said was key.


"They're really good when they create a trigger that allows him to probe and continue the possession," he said. "We want to string him out and make the other guys the playmakers because in a perfect world, they want the ball in his hands 100 percent of the time."


One of those plays was a dagger overtime 3 in which the double came on Curry, he passed to Andre Iguodala, who drove, forcing the wing defender to help and opening up a corner 3 for Barnes.


"Just playing our type of basketball," Barnes said. "Double-team Steph, Andre gets the ball, he drives to the paint, finds me for the wide-open 3. That's the kind of movement we want, early in the game we didn't get that."


They'll likely get more of it in Game 2. If the Warriors' other players can make plays, that slow start may not be a problem, especially with Irving's impressive defense from Game 1 absent. Even if the Cavaliers do continue to find success, the Warriors feel it's only a matter of time before the Splash Brothers get going, no matter what Cleveland does.


"We'll find ways to get our shots off through our normal offense," Curry said, "no matter really how they defend because we have certain counters and certain attacks that we rely on to get those shots."

 

[CNOTES]

Guy Fieri on Steph: 'You couldn't make a dish hotter than Curry'


You may have noticed Guy Fieri admiringly looking at Stephen Curry warmup before Game 1 of the NBA Finals and wondered why the celebrity chef was there. Fieri is not a bandwagon Warriors fan, he actually grew up rooting for Golden State and is quite excited to cheer his team on in the Finals.


With Fieri having a penchant for spicy foods it is only a coincidence that his favorite basketball team has a player with the last name of Curry. This is a happy coincidence for Fieri as Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News found out.


So we asked the Food Network star: "What's hotter: Your curry or Steph Curry?"


"You couldn't make a dish hotter than Curry," Fieri said. "With Steph, it moves straight to chili flakes. He reaches heat that is incomprehensible."


He said he is working a new family-oriented cookbook.


"Don't be surprised if there's something called Steph's Curry," Fieri said.


One can only imagine what would go into Fieri's "Steph's Curry" but one thing is for sure, it will be Fierify.

 

[CNOTES]

8:00 PM EDT


703 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 201.5o05 201 / 200.5 / 200.5u13 200.5 +295
704 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS -6.5 -05 -8 / -8 -15 / -8 -05 -8 -15 -360

CLE-G-Kyrie Irving-OUT | CLE-PF-Kevin Love-OUT | TV: ABC

 

[CNOTES]

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores




1:10 PM EDT


901 SAN DIEGO PADRES (R) Despaigne, O 7o20 7.5u20 / 7o20 / 7o25 7.5 +1.5(-140)
902 CINCINNATI REDS (R) Cueto, J -170 -166 / -167 / -165 -175 -1.5(+120)

TV: FS-Ohio, FS-San Diego, DTV: 661, 694


1:35 PM EDT


903 PITTSBURGH PIRATES (R) Cole, G -140 -148 / -150 / -151 -150 -1.5(+110)
904 ATLANTA BRAVES (L) Wood, A 7u14 7u14 7 +1.5(-130)

TV: FS-South, ROOT-Pittsburgh, DTV: 646, 659


1:35 PM EDT


905 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (R) Vogelsong, R -140 -140 -1.5(+125)
906 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (R) O'sullivan, S 8.5 8.5 8.5o15 +1.5(-135)

TV: CSN-Bay, DTV: 696


4:05 PM EDT


907 CHICAGO CUBS (R) Hendricks, K 7 7 / 7o15 / 7o20 7o19 +1.5(-175)
908 WASHINGTON NATIONALS (R) Zimmermann, J -145 -145 / -150 / -140 -141 -1.5(+155)

TV: CSN-Chicago, MASN2, DTV: 641, 665 | PARTLY SUNNY, WIND IN FROM CENTER 0-5. GAME TEMP 82, RH 56% HEAT INDEX 84


4:10 PM EDT


909 MIAMI MARLINS (R) Urena, J 11 11 11o15 +1.5(-190)
910 COLORADO ROCKIES (R) Kendrick, K -125 -121 / -113 / -116 -113 -1.5(+160)

TV: FS-Florida, ROOT-Rocky Mountain, DTV: 654, 683


4:10 PM EDT


911 NEW YORK METS (R) Degrom, J -125 -126 / -125 / -119 -121 -1.5(+135)
912 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (R) Collmenter, J 8 8 / 8o15 8 +1.5(-155)

TV: FS-Arizona, SNY, DTV: 639, 686


8:05 PM EDT


913 ST LOUIS CARDINALS (R) Lynn, L 6 6.5o15 / 6.5u11 / 6.5u20 6.5u14 +1.5(-170)
914 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (R) Greinke, Z -170 -164 / -160 / -161 -156 -1.5(+150)

TV: ESPN, DTV: 206


1:10 PM EDT


915 BALTIMORE ORIOLES (R) Norris, B 8o15 8o19 / 8 / 8u15 8 +1.5(-135)
916 CLEVELAND INDIANS (R) Carrasco, C -165 -175 / -193 / -190 -181 -1.5(+115)

TV: MASN, SportsTime Ohio, DTV: 640, 662


1:05 PM EDT


917 LOS ANGELES ANGELS (L) Wilson, C 8.5o05 8.5 / 8.5u15 / 8.5o11 8.5 +1.5(-215)
918 NEW YORK YANKEES (L) Sabathia, C -108 -120 / -122 / -115 -111 -1.5(+185)

TV: FS-West, YES, DTV: 631, 692


1:05 PM EDT


919 HOUSTON ASTROS (R) Mchugh, C 8.5o15 8.5o15 / 8.5u13 8.5u15 +1.5(-210)
920 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (R) Dickey, R -125 -121 / -115 / -111 -110 -1.5(+180)
TOR-1B-Edwin Encarnacion-Doubtful | TV: ROOT-Southwest, DTV: 674


1:35 PM EDT


921 OAKLAND ATHLETICS (R) Graveman, K 8.5u20 8o15 / 8o25 / 8o20 8.5u20 +1.5(-160)
922 BOSTON RED SOX (R) Buchholz, C -160 -165 / -160 / -150 -151 -1.5(+140)

TV: CSN-California, NESN, DTV: 628, 698


2:10 PM EDT


923 DETROIT TIGERS (R) Simon, A 8o20 8o20 / 8o15 / 8o20 8.5u15 +1.5(-200)
924 CHICAGO WHITE SOX (R) Samardzija, J -125 -121 / -129 / -125 -122 -1.5(+170)


TV: FS-Detroit, WGN, DTV: 307, 663


2:10 PM EDT


925 TEXAS RANGERS (R) Lewis, C 8.5o20 8.5 / 8.5u15 / 8.5o20 9u20 +1.5(-210)
926 KANSAS CITY ROYALS (R) Guthrie, J -130 -127 / -125 / -120 -117 -1.5(+180)

TEX-3B-Adrian Beltre-OUT | TV: FS-Kansas City, FS-Southwest, DTV: 672, 676


4:10 PM EDT


927 TAMPA BAY RAYS (R) Archer, C -135 -135 -136 -1.5(+120)
928 SEATTLE MARINERS (L) Montgomery, M 7u15 7u26 / 7u25 / 6.5o20 6.5 +1.5(-140)


TV: ROOT-Northwest, SunSports, DTV: 653, 687


2:10 PM EDT


929 MILWAUKEE BREWERS (R) Fiers, M 8.5u15 -109 / -119 / -111 -105 -1.5(+145)
930 MINNESOTA TWINS (R) Pelfrey, M -120 8.5u15 / 8.5 / 8.5u15 8.5 +1.5(-165)


TV: FS-North, FS-Wisconsin, DTV: 668, 669

 

[CNOTES]

And for those interested in WNBA Lines or Coverage: Let me know if you care to have inside news and stats,trends etc....i'll post......i told myself i wouldn't cover it unless there is interest....so feed back is good.


Team Open Line Movements Current Moneyline Halftime Scores


3:05 PM EDT


601 CONNECTICUT SUN 154 154 / 153.5 152.5 +550
602 ATLANTA DREAM -11.5 -11.5 -750

CON-F-Chiney Ogwumike-OUT | TV: SportsSouth, DTV: 646

 

[CNOTES]

WNBA set to begin 19th year


June 4, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) - Domestic violence, absent marquee players and Isiah Thomas lobbying to become a potential owner has made for a busy WNBA offseason.


President Laurel J. Richie hopes that with the league's 19th season beginning Friday the attention will turn to the play on the court instead of the news off of it. That might be hard to do with some of the offseason problems still unresolved.


Thomas' ownership application for the New York Liberty is still pending. Richie had hoped to have Thomas' petition vetted and a decision rendered before the season began, but that wasn't feasible. The league just announced this week that a six-member committee of the WNBA Board of Governors was formed to evaluate his application.


''The committee had their first meeting this week and it was a very good meeting,'' Richie told The Associated Press on Thursday. ''We will have a series of meetings and I believe in following the process. I'm committed to the committee doing its due diligence and seeing the process unfold and seeing it through. I'm willing to take my hard knocks on the time it takes because I'm more focused on making the right decisions rather than making speedy decisions.''


Richie was widely praised for the record seven-game suspension the league handed to Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson for their domestic violence arrests in April. The players, who are married, have until Saturday to appeal it. Johnson has said that she's going to appeal, although she will miss the upcoming season with the Tulsa Shock after she announced Thursday that she is pregnant.


Griner had said a few weeks ago that she wasn't planning on appealing, but the All-Star has been hearing from players around the WNBA who would like her to change her mind so that a precedent isn't set. Even if she does appeal, Griner will start serving the suspension on Friday when her Phoenix Mercury takes on San Antonio.


Richie will be on hand as the Mercury celebrate last season's title. Griner will be in attendance to get her ring as she was granted an exemption by the league to attend the ceremony.


Diana Taurasi will be there as well, but that may be the only time the Mercury see her on the court this season. Taurasi announced in the winter that she would skip this season to rest.


Taurasi isn't the only star sitting out this year. Candace Parker said she will miss at least the first half of the season to rest and was unclear when she would return. Sylvia Fowles asked the Chicago Sky to trade her or she wouldn't play.


---


Some things to watch this season:


NEWCOMERS


The top two overall selections in the draft this year - Jewell Loyd in Seattle and Amanda Zahui B. in Tulsa - left college early to turn pro. While that's a common occurrence in the NBA and NFL, it's rare for the WNBA, which doesn't offer the same financial benefits.


''I just felt it was my time to play at the next level and face the next challenge,'' said Loyd, who left Notre Dame after her junior year.


Zahui B. left Minnesota as a red-shirt sophomore. She was the Big Ten player of the year and was able to leave because she turned 22 in the same calendar year as the draft.


''I like to be unique,'' Zahui said in April. ''I like to do my own thing.''


COACHING CAROUSEL


A third of the league had coaching changes since last year.


Brian Agler moved down the west coast from Seattle to Los Angeles and his former top assistant Jenny Boucek took over the Storm. The two teams open the season against each other in Seattle on Saturday.


Stephanie White also moved one seat over, becoming head coach of the Indiana Fever when Lin Dunn retired after last season. The Indiana native will try and guide the team to an 11th straight playoff appearance.


While White will get her first chance to lead the team, Bill Laimbeer returned to New York for a second stint after briefly getting let go by the Liberty in October.


SHOCK THE WORLD


Tulsa hasn't made the playoffs since moving from Detroit in 2010 and hope to end that dubious streak this season.


With Skylar Diggins coming off a season in which she averaged 20.1 points per game and the additions of the rookie Zahui and veterans Karima Christmas and Plenette Pierson, the Shock are positioned to make a run in the Western Conference even without the pregnant Johnson.


The Shock won just nine games combined in their first two seasons in Tulsa and went 12-22 last year

 

[CNOTES]

Thomas ready for WNBA season


June 5, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) - Isiah Thomas understood he would have many detractors when he agreed last month to become president and a potential partial-owner of the New York Liberty. He hopes the extra scrutiny will lead to more interest in his new team.


'We knew that it would have some concern and would create some attention,'' Thomas said in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Friday. ''That being said, we're hoping that with the added attention, as we've seen, there's more discussion about the WNBA and more discussion about the New York Liberty. That's a good thing.''


Much of that attention, though, is not the kind a team seeks out. Thomas, once the subject of a sexual harassment suit when he worked for the New York Knicks, is facing stiff opposition from outside groups to his ownership application.


That application is still pending. WNBA President Laurel J. Richie had hoped to have a decision on it before the season began, but that wasn't feasible. The league just announced this week that a six-member committee of the WNBA Board of Governors was formed to evaluate it.


''I can't really speak on the ownership and I apologize,'' Thomas said. ''I wish I could. Right now we're not allowed to talk about that.''


Thomas said being an owner and team president weren't directly connected.


One of the members of the committee, Seattle Storm co-owner Ginny Gilder, said a few weeks ago that her team's ownership group ''believe there is no statute of limitations on the mandate that all WNBA owners and executives serve as exemplary role models and leaders.''


At issue is during Thomas' unsuccessful stint as coach and president of the Knicks from December 2003 to April 2008, Anucha Browne Sanders, a former Madison Square Garden executive, brought a lawsuit contending Thomas sexually harassed her.


It cost MSG $11.5 million, but the Basketball Hall of Famer maintained his innocence and said he was never found personally liable. Even after the settlement, Knicks and Liberty owner James Dolan kept Thomas on in an unspecified role with the Knicks.


Thomas will be in attendance at MSG on Friday night when the Liberty open their season against the Atlanta Dream. He doesn't know what kind of reaction to expect from the Liberty fans.


''Between the lines and outside the lines is part of our game, part of our sport,'' he said. ''That's what makes our sport so interesting. Yes, the game takes precedent with what you want to see and talk about. The stories and what goes on outside the lines are very interesting stories, too. The dialogue has been good.''


There is a rally planned outside the Garden before the game by a sports advocacy group. And there have been many outspoken critics of his ownership application, including former tennis star Billie Jean King, who started The Women's Sports Foundation in 1974.


''No. I think if he's going to do something, go do it in men's sports,'' King said. ''I think it was very inappropriate that he was hired.''


The foundation sent a letter to the WNBA Board of Governors encouraging the other 11 team owners not to approve Thomas as part-owner. The foundation also started an online petition against Thomas. ''(The board) should vote it down if they have the opportunity,'' King said.


Madison Square Garden responded to the foundation's letter on Friday with a statement.


''The Women's Sports Foundation has continued to rely on erroneous and exaggerated media reports regarding Isiah Thomas and MSG. They are misinformed. In fact, the case was never concluded,'' the statement said. ''Anucha Browne Sanders voluntarily dismissed her complaint. Ms. Sanders accepted that MSG and Mr. Thomas did not admit guilt or concede any wrongdoing. MSG agreed to forego any additional legal action and agreed to a payment covering past and future salary and legal expenses. Isiah Thomas did not pay anything.''


Thomas still gets nervous before games and said he will probably not eat much and pace while watching the game. He hopes that fans will pay more attention to the players on the court then on himself.


''I think the majority of the focus will be on the players where it should be,'' he said. ''I think once they see how hard our teams play and how hard they compete, how well they are playing, that's where the focus will be. The way I've grown up in the public arena you always are going to have naysayers. That comes with the territory, that's part of the gig.''

 

[CNOTES]

Standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE


Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak


Washington Mystics 2 0 1.000 0 1-0 1-0 2-0 2-0 W-2


Chicago Sky 1 1 .500 1 1-0 0-1 1-0 1-1 L-1


New York Liberty 1 1 .500 1 1-0 0-1 1-1 1-1 L-1


Atlanta Dream 0 1 .000 1.5 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 L-1


Connecticut Sun 0 1 .000 1.5 0-1 0-0 0-1 0-1 L-1


Indiana Fever 0 2 .000 2 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-2 L-2



WESTERN CONFERENCE


Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak


Minnesota Lynx 2 0 1.000 0 1-0 1-0 1-0 2-0 W-2


Phoenix Mercury 1 0 1.000 .5 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 W-1


Seattle Storm 1 0 1.000 .5 1-0 0-0 1-0 1-0 W-1


Tulsa Shock 1 1 .500 1 1-0 0-1 0-1 1-1 W-1


Los Angeles Sparks 0 1 .000 1.5 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 L-1


San Antonio Stars 0 1 .000 1.5 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 L-1

Updated Sat Jun 6 11:36 PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

WNBA Basketball Trend Report


CONNECTICUT (0 - 1) at ATLANTA (0 - 1) - 6/7/2015, 3:00 PM


Top Trends for this game.


ATLANTA is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) in home games in June games over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in June games over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History


CONNECTICUT is 6-2 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-4 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[CNOTES]

WNBA team season preview capsules


June 3, 2015


A look at the 12 WNBA teams heading into the league's 19th season that tips off Friday in predicted order of finish.




WESTERN CONFERENCE


MINNESOTA LYNX


2014: 25-9, 2nd place; beat Seattle 2-0 in conference semifinals; lost to Phoenix 2-1 in conference finals.


COACH: Cheryl Reeve, 6th season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Lindsay Whalen (14.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.6 apg), G Seimone Augustus (16.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.4 apg), F Maya Moore (23.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.4 apg), F Rebekkah Brunson (7.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.5 apg), F Damiris Dantas (6.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.2 apg).


KEY ADDITIONS: Reshanda Gray (draft, No. 16).


KEY LOSSES: Janel McCarville (rest).


OUTLOOK: Minnesota had an incredible season last year and had it not been for the Phoenix Mercury's record-breaking one the Lynx could have had a good shot at repeating as champions. With the main core back of MVP Moore, Whalen and Augustus, Minnesota is the favorite to win its third title in five seasons.


---


TULSA SHOCK


2014: 12-22, 6th place.


COACH: Fred Williams, 2nd season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Skylar Diggins (20.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.0 apg), G Odyssey Sims (16.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.2 apg), G Riquna Williams (6.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.2 apg), F Karima Christmas (6.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.9 apg), C Courtney Paris (9.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.1 apg).


KEY ADDITIONS: C Amanda Zahui B. (draft, No. 2), F Plenette Pierson (free agent), Christmas (free agent).


KEY LOSSES: G Roneeka Hodges (free agent), Jennifer Lacy (free agent).


OUTLOOK: This could be the year that the Shock finally make it to the playoffs. No one improved more last year than Diggins and with the additions of Christmas and Pierson, Tulsa looks poised for the postseason. The Shock will be missing Glory Johnson for the first seven games because of her suspension for domestic violence. First round draft pick Zahui B. could step right in to fill that void.


---


PHOENIX MERCURY


2014: 29-5, 1st place; beat Los Angeles 2-0 in conference semifinals; beat Minnesota 2-1 in conference finals; beat Chicago 3-0 in WNBA Finals.


COACH: Sandy Brondello, 2nd season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Noelle Quinn (3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.3 apg), F Monique Curry (9.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.5 apg), F Candice Dupree (14.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.4 apg), F DeWanna Bonner (10.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.3 apg), C Brittney Griner (15.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.6 apg).


KEY ADDITIONS: F Curry (free agent), G Quinn (free agent), Shameka Christon (free agent).


KEY LOSSES: G Diana Taurasi (rest); G Penny Taylor (free agent).


OUTLOOK: Coming off a record setting season which ended with the Mercury as WNBA champions, Phoenix will be hard-pressed to repeat. Taurasi is sitting out the season to rest. Griner is suspended for the first seven games for a domestic violence arrest. Still the pieces are in place to make it to the playoffs again.


---


SAN ANTONIO STARS


2014: 16-18, 3rd place; lost to Minnesota 2-0 in conference semifinals.


COACH: Dan Hughes, 9th season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Danielle Robinson (12.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.3 apg), G Jia Perkins (12.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.7 apg), F Kayla McBride (13.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, F Sophia Young-Malcolm (8.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.6 apg), C Jayne Appel (4.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.1 apg)


KEY ADDITIONS: F Dearica Hamby (draft, No. 6), F Alex Montgomery (trade, NY Liberty).


KEY LOSSES: Becky Hammon (retirement).


OUTLOOK: For the first time in a long while, Hammon won't be on the court for the Stars. The team's long-time guard retired after last season and is now coaching with the San Antonio Spurs. The team will look to McBride, when she gets healthy, and Robinson to lead the way.


---


LOS ANGELES SPARKS


2014: 16-18, 4th place; lost to Phoenix 2-0 in conference semifinals.


COACH: Brian Agler, 1st season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Erin Phillips (5.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.2 apg), G Alana Beard (8.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.5 apg), F Nneka Ogwumike (15.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.5 apg), F Jantel Lavender (11.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.5 apg), Marianna Tolo (DNP).


KEY ADDITIONS: Phillips (free agent).


KEY LOSSES: G Candice Wiggins (free agent, Shock), Candace Parker (rest).


OUTLOOK: Agler will have his work cut out for him in his first season at the helm with Parker sitting out for at least the first half of the season to rest. He'll also be missing Toliver, who is playing overseas in the Eurobasket tournament for the first month of the season. The Sparks have only had a few weeks together to put in their coach's system.


---


SEATTLE STORM


2014: 12-22, 5th place.


COACH: Jenny Boucek, 1st season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Sue Bird (10.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 4.0 apg), G Jewell Loyd (rookie), F Jenna O'Hea (4.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.0 apg), F Abby Bishop (2.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.3 apg), F/C Crystal Langhorne (12.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.0 apg).


KEY ADDITIONS: G Jewell Loyd (draft, No. 1), G/F Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (draft, No. 3), G Renee Montgomery (trade, Connecticut), C Quanitra Hollingsworth (trade, Washington), F Ramu Tokashiki (free agent).


KEY LOSSES: F Camille Little (trade, Connecticut), F Shekinna Stricklen (trade, Connecticut), G Tanisha Wright (free agent).


OUTLOOK: Boucek moves one chair over to take over the team and will have a young squad to guide. The Storm added Loyd and Mosqueda-Lewis in the draft and Montgomery via a trade. The Storm may take their lumps early, but the future is bright in Seattle.


-----


EASTERN CONFERENCE


CHICAGO SKY


2014: 15-19, 4th place; beat Atlanta 2-1 in conference semifinals; beat Indiana 2-1 in conference finals; lost to Phoenix 3-0 in WNBA Finals.


COACH: Pokey Chatman, 5th season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Courtney Vandersloot (7.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 6.0 apg), G Cappie Pondexter (13.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.9 apg), F Tamera Young (6.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.2 apg) F Elena Delle Donne (17.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.5 apg), C Cheyenne Parker (rookie).


KEY ADDITIONS: G Cappie Pondexter (trade, Liberty), C Cheyenne Parker (draft, 5th)


KEY LOSSES: G Epiphanny Prince (trade, Liberty).


OUTLOOK: Chicago is coming off the best season in franchise history with a trip to the WNBA Finals. The Sky were swept by Phoenix. The team made a huge offseason move trading Prince to the Liberty for Pondexter, allowing her to come home. The biggest question mark for the team is the status of center Sylvia Fowles, who asked for a trade. She said she'll sit out this season if her demand isn't met. The Sky also need Delle Donne to stay healthy. Last season she missed time because of Lyme Disease and a balky back. The Sky were 5-12 without her.


---


ATLANTA DREAM


2014: 19-15, 1st place; lost to Chicago 2-1 in conference semifinals.


COACH: Michael Cooper, 2nd season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Shoni Schimmel (8.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.6 apg), G Tiffany Hayes (12.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.5 apg), F Angel McCoughtry (18.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.6 apg), F Sancho Lyttle (12.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.4 apg), C Erika de Souza (13.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.2 apg)


KEY ADDITIONS: G Roneeka Hodges (free agent), G Samantha Logic (draft, No. 10)


KEY LOSSES: G Jasmine Thomas (trade, Sun)


OUTLOOK: Atlanta had the best record in the Eastern Conference in the regular season, but fell to Chicago in the opening round. The Dream didn't make too many moves in the offseason and with their nucleus intact hope to make another deep playoff run. Perennial MVP candidate McCoughtry will be the key to see how far the Dream can go.


---


NEW YORK LIBERTY


2014: 15-19, 5th place.


COACH: Bill Laimbeer, 3rd season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Tanisha Wright (8.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.6 apg), G Essence Carson (3.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.9 apg), F Tina Charles (17.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.2 apg), C Kiah Stokes (rookie), G Epiphanny Prince (15.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.8 apg)


KEY ADDITIONS: G Prince (trade, Sky), G Wright (free agent), C Stokes (draft, No. 11), G Brittany Boyd (draft, No. 9), F Rebecca Allen (free agent).


KEY LOSSES: G Cappie Pondexter (trade, Sky), G Anna Cruz (trade, Minnesota), G Alex Montgomery (trade, San Antonio).


OUTLOOK: New York brought back Laimbeer after letting him go in October. They have continued to retool the roster over the last few years, adding Wright and Prince as well as talented draft picks Stokes and Boyd. The biggest question is whether the Liberty can avoid being distracted by the hiring of Isiah Thomas as president and potential owner.


---


WASHINGTON MYSTICS


2014: 16-18, 3rd place; lost to Indiana 2-0 in conference semifinals.


COACH: Mike Thibault, 3rd season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Ivory Latta (12.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.3 apg), G Bria Hartley (9.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.1 apg), F Emma Messeman (10.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.5 apg), F Tierra Ruffin-Pratt (4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.3 apg), F Kia Vaughn (9.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.2 apg).


KEY ADDITIONS: G Natasha Cloud (draft, No. 15), Armintie Herrington (free agent).


KEY LOSSES: F Monique Currie (free agent).


OUTLOOK: Thibault's continued rebuilding of the Mystics is in year three. They've made the playoffs in each of his first two seasons and look to make the next jump this year.


---


INDIANA FEVER


2014: 16-18, 2nd place; beat Washington 2-0 in conference semifinals; lost to Chicago 2-1 in conference finals.


COACH: Stephanie White, 1st season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Briann January (10.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 3.7 apg), G Shavonte Zellous (11.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.1 apg), F Tamika Catchings (16.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.9 apg), F Marissa Coleman (8.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg), F Erlana Larkins (9.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.5 apg).


KEY ADDITIONS: None.


KEY LOSSES: F. Karima Christmas (free agent).


OUTLOOK: White takes over for Lin Dunn as coach of the Fever. The new head coach has a talented core group led by Catchings and she's hoping to run a more up-tempo offense while continuing the defensive attitude the Fever have been known for in making the playoffs the past 10 seasons in a row.


---


CONNECTICUT SUN


2014: 13-21, 6th place.


COACH: Anne Donovan, 3rd season.


PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: G Jazmine Thomas (4.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.6 apg), G Alex Bentley (12.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.7 apg), F Camille Little (12.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.6 apg), F Alyssa Thomas (10.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 apg), F Kelsey Bone (9.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.4 apg).


KEY ADDITIONS: F Elizabeth Williams (draft, No. 4), Little (trade, Storm), Shekinna Stricklen.


KEY LOSSES: G Katie Douglas (retirement), F Chiney Ogwumike (injury), Allison Hightower (injury), Kelsey Griffin (injury).


OUTLOOK: The Sun have already been devastated by injuries and the season hasn't even started yet. Ogwumike, last season's rookie of the year, is out indefinitely after having microfracture surgery on her knee. Hightower has played in just 35 games over the past two years with knee injuries. She's on the suspended list to start the year after knee surgery in March. Connecticut also cut Griffin on Tuesday after she underwent season-ending surgery on her left hip on Friday.

 

[CNOTES]

Griner, Johnson suspended record 7 games each by WNBA


May 15, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) - WNBA stars Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson were suspended seven games each Friday for their domestic violence arrest last month - the league's longest ban in its 19-year history.


WNBA President Laurel Richie said the league ''takes all acts of violence extremely seriously'' in handing down a suspension that represents more than one-fifth of the 34-game regular season. Richie called the players' actions ''unacceptable.''


''Brittney and Glory's conduct is detrimental to the best interests of the WNBA and violates applicable law,'' Richie said in a statement. ''We also understand that people make mistakes, and that education and training are as important as imposing discipline.''


The punishment comes at a time when sports leagues around the country are reviewing domestic violence policies following high-profile cases involving the NFL. Richie said she consulted with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and a variety of experts.


Griner plays for the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and Johnson for the Tulsa Shock. The players got married last week in Phoenix, and their teams are about to open camp on Monday. The league season begins June 5.


''I have already learned a tremendous amount from this experience and am committed to improving myself and my marriage going forward,'' Griner said in a statement. ''I want to thank everyone for their support over these last few weeks. I realize I let down a lot of people who have been champions for me and I will support my teammates and our organization every day until I am back on the court. I am thankful for the opportunity to make positive changes and become a role model for others to do the same. ''


The WNBA said the two All-Stars must undergo individual counseling. If either fails to comply with that condition or those by the court, the league says it can revisit the case.


''It is our strong belief that violence has absolutely no place in society, in sports or in this league,'' Richie said. ''As president, it is my responsibility to protect the league and uphold its values.''


The players were arrested April 22 on suspicion of assault after they fought in a home they recently bought. Griner pled guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and entered a diversion program. The assault charge was dismissed. She must attend 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling. All charges will be dismissed if she completes counseling. Johnson's case was transferred to county court and is still pending.


The league spent the last few weeks investigating. The WNBA said Johnson pushed Griner in the shoulder and she responded by pushing her in the back of the neck. The confrontation escalated to include wrestling, punches, and the throwing and swinging of objects. The 6-foot-8 Griner received a bite wound on her finger and scratches on her wrist; the 6-4 Johnson received a scratch above her lip and was diagnosed with a concussion.


The Mercury open their season on June 5 against San Antonio. If Griner doesn't appeal, she will be eligible to return against Minnesota on June 27.


''We do not condone violence of any kind and we understand the need for discipline in serious matters,'' said Jim Pitman, the Mercury general manager and executive vice president. ''Brittney is committed to growing from this experience, and we will make every effort to support her in that endeavor.''


Phoenix will play Johnson's Shock on July 2. Johnson's first game back would be June 26 against New York.


''We appreciate the league's due diligence in investigating and making a decision in this matter,'' Shock President Steve Swetoha said in a statement. ''As an organization we strongly agree with President Richie's statement that there is no place for violence in our league, in our communities, or in society.''


The WNBA said it will conduct education sessions on domestic violence and related issues with all players and team personnel throughout the season.


The previous longest suspension was six games, given to Kara Braxton in 2009 after her second DUI.

 

[CNOTES]

Griner files to annul marriage to fellow WNBA player


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Brittney Griner filed for an annulment with Glory Johnson-Griner on Friday, a day after Johnson-Griner announced she's pregnant and a month after the two WNBA players married.


''Last Wednesday, Glory and I agreed to either legally separate, get divorced, or annul our marriage, Griner said in a statement. ''I can confirm that today I filed for an annulment. In the week prior to the wedding, I attempted to postpone the wedding several times until I completed counseling, but I still went through with it. I now realize that was a mistake.''


Johnson-Griner's sports marketing agent, D.J. Fisher, said in a statement that Johnson-Griner was unaware that Griner was filing and was ''extremely hurt and blindsided.''


''She loves Brittney and made a huge sacrifice to carry a child, put her career on hold, invest in their relationship and their future,'' Fisher said.


Griner, the 6-foot-8 Phoenix Mercury star, married Johnson-Griner on May 9, three weeks after they were arrested on domestic violence charges for a fight at their home in suburban Phoenix. Both players were suspended seven games after their arrests and Griner agreed to undergo 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling as part of a plea agreement.


Both players apologized and said they worked out their differences, saying they were happy about the marriage. Johnson-Griner, a two-time All-Star with the Tulsa Shock, announced on Instagram on Thursday that she was pregnant and would miss the WNBA season.


Fisher said Johnson-Griner was in it for the long haul.


''She knows how important marriage is, and made a lifetime commitment and decision to spend the rest of her life with Brittney,'' Fisher said.


Earlier Friday, a post on Johnson-Griner's Instagram account showed a photo of Griner and a message about seeing her again: ''One day until I'm reunited with my Wife (at)brittneygriner . . . This is about to be one CRAZY SUMMER!!!''


Her tune changed later in the day.


''She wishes to ask for privacy at this time as they work through these trials and tribulations,'' Fisher said. ''She asks her fans for all their love, support and prayers during this trying time.''


Johnson-Griner's player agent, Boris Lelchitski, said the Women's National Basketball Players Association was planning to file a grievance to appeal the suspensions for both players, but Griner backed out at the last second. Lelchitski said the deadline has now passed, and his client did not appeal.


''With what has happened lately, Glory has a lot more on her plate to worry about,'' Lelchitski wrote in a text message.


Johnson-Griner's suspension will not start until the 2016 season because she will not play this season.


Griner was the WNBA's defensive player of the year and helped the Mercury win the league championship last season.


The WNBA season started Friday night.

 

[CNOTES]

WNBA's Johnson: Didn't expect arrest


May 27, 2015


TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Glory Johnson had no idea her fight with then-fiancee Brittney Griner would become such a big deal.


After the WNBA All-Stars stars battled so fiercely at their home that police were called, the now-married couple immediately began working through their problems together.


"We fought, we hashed it out, we talked it out, we were like, `Did we really just do that?''' Johnson told The Associated Press Tuesday. ''Then we hugged, and we were like, `OK, the cops are coming.'''


The WNBA said Johnson pushed Griner in the shoulder, and Griner responded by pushing Johnson in the back of the neck. The April 22 confrontation included wrestling, punches and the throwing and swinging of objects. Griner had a bite wound on her finger and scratches on her wrist, while Johnson was scratched above her lip and diagnosed with a concussion.


Both were arrested, which surprised Johnson.


''The police said they have no idea who was the victim,'' the Tulsa Shock forward said. ''They had no idea. It surprised me, but I can't control how people take it, I can't control how people handle it, I can only control what I do from here on out.''


Johnson said multiple triggers led to the dispute with Griner, a center for the Phoenix Mercury.


''We know how we care about each other, and we fought out of that,'' she said. ''A lot of it was passion. We fought because we were mad that this person felt like this, or this person said this.''


The league suspended them for seven games each - just over a fifth of the season - without pay. Johnson is appealing her suspension, and said her lawyer is ready if further action is needed.


''Do I think it was a little much? Yes,'' Johnson said. ''Especially because of the way we are and the way we handled it.''


The league's decision is significant for both teams.


Griner is the reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and helped the Mercury win the WNBA title last season. Johnson is a two-time All-Star for the Shock. Griner will be out until Phoenix's game against Minnesota on June 27. If Johnson's suspension stands, her first game back would be June 26 against New York.


Despite what Johnson called ''one of the toughest months I've ever experienced,'' she said she never reconsidered her plans to marry Griner. Their wedding went on as planned a few weeks after the fight.


''I never had any second thoughts,'' she said. ''Even though it was a situation that had never happened to me before, in any relationship that I've had, it was almost like, `OK, I partook in the situation, too, and I did fight as well.'''


Johnson said she has seen where some question why she remains in the relationship.


''If it's something that I can work through, or it's even something that I was a part of, you've got to take responsibility and either decide you want to move forward with the person that you care so much about or not, and I care a lot about this person, and it was my decision to move forward, and she did the same.''


Johnson said she understands the significance of domestic violence.


''I don't want anyone to have to deal with that situation, any of my sisters, or even any of my teammates to deal with a situation like that,'' she said. ''I'd probably tell them to leave, but if they were like, `Man, but we've been through so much, and we care about each other more than just this one incident,' then there's more pros than cons.''


The Mercury play the Shock on July 2 in Phoenix. Griner and Johnson have faced each other before - both are post players in the league's Western Conference. Johnson said the matchups this season will be intense, as usual.


''We're very competitive,'' she said. ''It might even look like we're going at each other. But afterward, we're like, `Where do you want to go eat?'''


Johnson said the couple's relationship is on solid ground, and added that people who judge it based on the fight ''have to be realistic.''


''We still feel the same,'' she said. ''If anything, it brought us a little bit closer.''

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Short Sheet

Sunday, June 7


San Diego at Cincinnati, 1:10 PM
San Diego: 9-32 SU in road games after a win by 2 runs or less
Cincinnati: 97-78 SU with a struggling BP whose ERA is over 8.00 the last 5 games

Pittsburgh at Atlanta, 1:35 PM
Pittsburgh: 21-6 SU as a road favorite of -125 or more
Atlanta: 36-48 SU after having lost 2 of their last 3

San Francisco at Philadelphia, 1:35 PM
San Francisco: 34-22 SU when the total is 8 to 8.5
Philadelphia: 13-32 SU when the total is 7 to 8.5

Chicago Cubs at Washington, 4:05 PM
Chicago: 46-79 SU after allowing 2 runs or less
Washington: 14-2 SU in home games when playing on Sunday

Miami at Colorado, 4:10 PM
Miami: 5-14 SU after 2 straight games without a stolen base
Colorado: 20-8 SU after a game where they had 6 or more extra base hits

NY Mets at Arizona, 4:10 PM
New York: 23-6 SU as a favorite of -110 or higher
Arizona: 8-25 SU after having won 3 of their last 4 games

St Louis at LA Dodgers, 8:05 PM
St Louis: 10-2 SU after a loss by 2 runs or less
Los Angeles: 10-17 SU after allowing 2 runs or less 2 straight games

Baltimore at Cleveland, 1:05 PM
Baltimore: 9-4 SU as a road underdog of +150 or more
Cleveland: 10-16 SU after a win

LA Angels at NY Yankees, 1:05 PM
Los Angeles: 44-32 SU in road games after a game where the BP threw 6 or more innings
New York: SABATHIA is 0-6 TSR in home games

Houston at Toronto, 1:05 PM
Houston: 24-12 SU when the money line is +125 to -125
Toronto: 1-9 SU after having won 4 or 5 of their last 6

Oakland at Boston, 1:35 PM
Oakland: 32-19 OVER in games played on a grass field
Boston: 6-14 SU after 2 or more consecutive unders

Detroit at Chicago White Sox, 2:10 PM
Detroit: 8-17 SU after 2 straight games without giving up a stolen base
Chicago: 40-34 SU after scoring 2 runs or less

Texas at Kansas City, 2:10 PM
Texas: 10-3 SU on the road when the total is 8.5 to 10
Kansas City: 16-24 SU at home revenging a loss vs opponent as home favorite

Tampa Bay at Seattle, 4:10 PM
Tampa Bay: 16-9 SU after 2 or more consecutive road games
Seattle: 6-12 SU at home when the total is 7 or less

Milwaukee at Minnesota, 2:10 PM
Milwaukee: 4-15 SU when the money line is -100 to -150
Minnesota: 19-9 SU in home games

 

[CNOTES]

mlb record for june:


*****..........................9 - 2 .............................+7.20
double play...............7 - 21 ............................-30.76
triple play.................4 - 5 .............................- 3.45
grand slam................9 - 8 ............................+ 6.00


nhl


double plays.............1 - 1


nba


double plays.............2 - 0

 

[CNOTES]

MLB Consensus Picks


SIDES (ATS)


Time Away Line Picks Pct Home Line Picks Pct Detail Odds




2:10 PM Milwaukee -106 249 27.15% Minnesota -102 668 72.85% View View


4:05 PM Chi. Cubs +126 277 30.47% Washington -137 632 69.53% View View


1:10 PM Baltimore +164 303 32.48% Cleveland -178 630 67.52% View View


4:10 PM Miami +101 279 34.36% Colorado -109 533 65.64% View View


1:35 PM Oakland +156 347 38.30% Boston -170 559 61.70% View View


1:10 PM San Diego +156 368 39.66% Cincinnati -170 560 60.34% View View


8:08 PM St. Louis +138 377 42.55% LA Dodgers -150 509 57.45% View View


2:10 PM Texas +119 419 45.54% Kansas City -129 501 54.46% View View


1:05 PM LA Angels +102 464 51.38% NY Yankees -110 439 48.62% View View


1:07 PM Houston +104 560 58.27% Toronto -113 401 41.73% View View


2:10 PM Detroit +111 512 59.05% Chi. White Sox -120 355 40.95% View View


4:10 PM Tampa Bay -129 574 64.71% Seattle +119 313 35.29% View View


1:35 PM Pittsburgh -145 615 66.20% Atlanta +134 314 33.80% View View


4:10 PM NY Mets -118 623 69.61% Arizona +109 272 30.39% View View


1:35 PM San Francisco -144 672 72.65% Philadelphia +133 253 27.35% View View




TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)


Time Away Total Over Pct Home Total Under Pct Detail Odds


4:10 PM Tampa Bay 7 167 32.75% Seattle 7 343 67.25% View View


2:10 PM Detroit 9 205 43.52% Chi. White Sox 9 266 56.48% View View


2:10 PM Milwaukee 8.5 208 44.44% Minnesota 8.5 260 55.56% View View


4:10 PM NY Mets 8 199 45.02% Arizona 8 243 54.98% View View


1:10 PM Baltimore 8 218 47.39% Cleveland 8 242 52.61% View View


4:05 PM Chi. Cubs 7 219 48.45% Washington 7 233 51.55% View View


1:35 PM Oakland 8 241 50.42% Boston 8 237 49.58% View View


1:35 PM Pittsburgh 7 257 51.20% Atlanta 7 245 48.80% View View


8:08 PM St. Louis 6.5 220 54.32% LA Dodgers 6.5 185 45.68% View View


1:35 PM San Francisco 8.5 253 54.53% Philadelphia 8.5 211 45.47% View View


1:10 PM San Diego 7.5 299 57.39% Cincinnati 7.5 222 42.61% View View


2:10 PM Texas 9 300 59.88% Kansas City 9 201 40.12% View View


4:10 PM Miami 11 312 60.23% Colorado 11 206 39.77% View View


1:07 PM Houston 8.5 308 61.48% Toronto 8.5 193 38.52% View View


1:05 PM LA Angels 8.5 393 70.56% NY Yankees 8.5 164 29.44% View View



Games are highlighted when more than 59% of all cash contests players choose outcome.