Lady Luck: Sunday's Best WNBA Bets
Detroit Shock at Indiana Fever (-6, 139)
The debut of coach Rick Mahorn and the return of All-Star forward Cheryl Ford were spoiled in the Detroit Shock's last game.
Based on the way the Indiana Fever have been playing, the Shock could have a hard time bouncing back as the clubs finish a home-and-home series in Indianapolis on Sunday night.
Mahorn took over the Shock (1-3) on Monday after the unexpected resignation of Bill Laimbeer, who guided the team to three championships in six seasons.
With Ford playing her first game since suffering a season-ending knee injury July 22 of last year, Mahorn probably expected a strong performance from the defending champs. Instead, Detroit shot a season-low 29.5 percent from the field and committed 21 turnovers in the 66-54 home loss to Indiana.Ford, a four-time All-Star, had seven points and two rebounds while going 3 for 4 from the field in 19-plus minutes.
"I'm not happy, because we lost. I don't like losing," she said. "The first five minutes were a little rough, but then I got things going. I'm just disappointed that we had 21 turnovers. You can't win like that."
Though Detroit looked rusty in its first game since June 10, Mahorn remains confident he can help the Shock defend the title.
Indiana (3-2) has won three straight by an average of 10.3 points after dropping its first two. Friday's victory may have been particularly satisfying, because Detroit has knocked Indiana out of the playoffs each of the last three seasons.
"We didn't settle for long shots, we pounded the ball inside and we didn't turn it over," coach Lin Dunn said. "They feed off turnovers, so to only have 12 was key for us."
Tamika Catchings had 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Fever on Friday. The five-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year expects a better game from the new-look Shock on Sunday.
Pick: Fever
Sacramento Monarchs at Los Angeles Sparks (-4.5, 146)
After a tough stretch on the road, the Los Angeles Sparks are happy to be home. They'd probably be more optimistic about their upcoming schedule, though, if Lisa Leslie was healthy enough to play.
The Sparks may be missing Leslie on Sunday when they try to snap their longest losing streak in nearly two years in a matchup with the Sacramento Monarchs.
The Sparks (1-4) have lost four in a row since opening the season with a 75-58 home win over Detroit on June 6. All four losses came on the road, including an 89-80 defeat at Phoenix on Friday.
Betty Lennox scored 16 points to lead Los Angeles, and DeLisha Milton-Jones added 15 points and eight rebounds. Already without 2008 leading scorer Candace Parker (maternity leave), Los Angeles lost its second-leading scorer from last year when Leslie left late in the first quarter with a right hip bruise.
Leslie would not return and is listed as day-to-day.
"Luckily it's nothing too serious," coach Michael Cooper said. "Hopefully we'll have her back in a week or so. Obviously we care and feel for her but we have got to go on without her and luckily our next game is at home."
The Sparks are near the bottom of the league in scoring at 69.4 points per game and field-goal shooting at 38.4 percent.
Their offense could get a boost by facing the Monarchs (1-4), who have allowed an average of 100.5 points in losing their last two games.
The Monarchs were without Ticha Penicheiro for a third straight game as she continues to be bothered by a sprained right thumb. The veteran point guard is the WNBA's career leader in assists and steals.
Pick: Over
Detroit Shock at Indiana Fever (-6, 139)
The debut of coach Rick Mahorn and the return of All-Star forward Cheryl Ford were spoiled in the Detroit Shock's last game.
Based on the way the Indiana Fever have been playing, the Shock could have a hard time bouncing back as the clubs finish a home-and-home series in Indianapolis on Sunday night.
Mahorn took over the Shock (1-3) on Monday after the unexpected resignation of Bill Laimbeer, who guided the team to three championships in six seasons.
With Ford playing her first game since suffering a season-ending knee injury July 22 of last year, Mahorn probably expected a strong performance from the defending champs. Instead, Detroit shot a season-low 29.5 percent from the field and committed 21 turnovers in the 66-54 home loss to Indiana.Ford, a four-time All-Star, had seven points and two rebounds while going 3 for 4 from the field in 19-plus minutes.
"I'm not happy, because we lost. I don't like losing," she said. "The first five minutes were a little rough, but then I got things going. I'm just disappointed that we had 21 turnovers. You can't win like that."
Though Detroit looked rusty in its first game since June 10, Mahorn remains confident he can help the Shock defend the title.
Indiana (3-2) has won three straight by an average of 10.3 points after dropping its first two. Friday's victory may have been particularly satisfying, because Detroit has knocked Indiana out of the playoffs each of the last three seasons.
"We didn't settle for long shots, we pounded the ball inside and we didn't turn it over," coach Lin Dunn said. "They feed off turnovers, so to only have 12 was key for us."
Tamika Catchings had 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Fever on Friday. The five-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year expects a better game from the new-look Shock on Sunday.
Pick: Fever
Sacramento Monarchs at Los Angeles Sparks (-4.5, 146)
After a tough stretch on the road, the Los Angeles Sparks are happy to be home. They'd probably be more optimistic about their upcoming schedule, though, if Lisa Leslie was healthy enough to play.
The Sparks may be missing Leslie on Sunday when they try to snap their longest losing streak in nearly two years in a matchup with the Sacramento Monarchs.
The Sparks (1-4) have lost four in a row since opening the season with a 75-58 home win over Detroit on June 6. All four losses came on the road, including an 89-80 defeat at Phoenix on Friday.
Betty Lennox scored 16 points to lead Los Angeles, and DeLisha Milton-Jones added 15 points and eight rebounds. Already without 2008 leading scorer Candace Parker (maternity leave), Los Angeles lost its second-leading scorer from last year when Leslie left late in the first quarter with a right hip bruise.
Leslie would not return and is listed as day-to-day.
"Luckily it's nothing too serious," coach Michael Cooper said. "Hopefully we'll have her back in a week or so. Obviously we care and feel for her but we have got to go on without her and luckily our next game is at home."
The Sparks are near the bottom of the league in scoring at 69.4 points per game and field-goal shooting at 38.4 percent.
Their offense could get a boost by facing the Monarchs (1-4), who have allowed an average of 100.5 points in losing their last two games.
The Monarchs were without Ticha Penicheiro for a third straight game as she continues to be bothered by a sprained right thumb. The veteran point guard is the WNBA's career leader in assists and steals.
Pick: Over
Tony George
Bonus Play
Texas Rangers vs. San Francisco Giants:
San Francisco Giants +125
Fathers Day Special - Bases for FREE today for all the Dad's out there who like play some bases. Thanks for your business guys.
Off a 2-0 sweep last night with Florida and Seattle, and a 3-2 week overall in Interleauge, I pass along a play here as a small thanks to you all on Fathers Day, special day for all us Dads.. I am going to relax, grill out some surf and turf and hopefully take in some US Open action if it does get rained out, and enjoy my 2 children for a late afternoon movie at the Theater.
1 Unit Play
San Fran +120 - Like Zito againt a Rangers team who has trouble hitting lefties. Texas 1-10 the last 11 in this series. Millwood is a beast at home for Texas and we won on him against Houston on Tuesday as a top play, I go against him today on the road where her is not as sharp. Zito has struggled all year, just have a hunch here with a capable team as a small home dog hungry for a sweep in this series.
Good luck and a great Fathers day to all. TG
Bonus Play
Texas Rangers vs. San Francisco Giants:
San Francisco Giants +125
Fathers Day Special - Bases for FREE today for all the Dad's out there who like play some bases. Thanks for your business guys.
Off a 2-0 sweep last night with Florida and Seattle, and a 3-2 week overall in Interleauge, I pass along a play here as a small thanks to you all on Fathers Day, special day for all us Dads.. I am going to relax, grill out some surf and turf and hopefully take in some US Open action if it does get rained out, and enjoy my 2 children for a late afternoon movie at the Theater.
1 Unit Play
San Fran +120 - Like Zito againt a Rangers team who has trouble hitting lefties. Texas 1-10 the last 11 in this series. Millwood is a beast at home for Texas and we won on him against Houston on Tuesday as a top play, I go against him today on the road where her is not as sharp. Zito has struggled all year, just have a hunch here with a capable team as a small home dog hungry for a sweep in this series.
Good luck and a great Fathers day to all. TG
