Shock-Lynx Preview

By MATT BECKER
Posted May 22 2010 2:44PM

After coming out on the losing end in the first two games at their new home, the Tulsa Shock hope to notch that elusive first win on the road.

Trying to avoid their first 0-3 start in eight years, The Shock also look to avenge last weekend's season-opening loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday night at the Target Center.

The Shock have been one of the WNBA's most successful franchises, winning three of the last seven titles before relocating from Detroit.

But in their first game of 2010 last Saturday, the Shock lost 80-74 to the Lynx (1-2). Amber Holt had a team-high 16 points off the bench for Tulsa, while Minnesota's Charde Houston scored 21 and Monica Wright added 18.

It was a sloppy game for both teams with the Shock turning the ball over 22 times and the Lynx committing 21 turnovers.

Neither team has played much better since.

In an 83-74 loss to San Antonio on Thursday, the Shock allowed the Silver Stars to shoot 51.7 percent and were outrebounded 41-31. The offense showed some signs of improvement, outscoring San Antonio 42-26 in the paint, but costly turnovers down the stretch sealed the team's fate.

"Good executions of offense today, proud of that fact,'' Shock coach Nolan Richardson said. "We can't afford to be outrebounded and have turnovers.''

Kara Braxton, who had nine points in the opener, led Tulsa with 15 points, while Holt added 11.

Marion Jones still hasn't been much of a factor for the Shock, who are in danger of opening 0-3 for the first time since losing the first 13 games in 2002.

The 34-year-old former Olympic track star scored two points - the first of her WNBA career - in eight minutes Thursday after logging three versus Minnesota.

With stars Seimone Augustus (knee) and Candice Wiggins (knee) not expected back until June, the Lynx haven't won since defeating Tulsa.

After an 11-point loss to Washington last Sunday, Minnesota fell 79-76 to Seattle on Wednesday. The Lynx, who led by as many as seven in the fourth quarter, could have sent the game to overtime but Houston missed a 3-pointer from the left corner just before the buzzer.

"We compete hard enough," coach Cheryl Reeve told the Lynx's official website. "We just come up short. We need to work on our execution when time is ticking down."

Houston had 11 points, while Wright scored a team-high 19. Former University of Minnesota star Lindsay Whalen, who scored 10 points in her Lynx debut in Tulsa last week, had 17.

Minnesota has won three straight home games over the Shock since a 92-80 loss on July 7, 2006.

Bench, defense lead Shock to first win

Posted May 23 2010 9:27PM

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) Plenette Pierson and Shavonte Zellous each scored 14 points to help the Tulsa Shock earn their first victory of the season with a 94-82 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday night.

Chante Black had 10 points and 17 rebounds for the Shock, which led by as many as 21 in the third quarter en route to the franchise's first win since relocating to Tulsa in the offseason. Scholanda Robinson and Amber Holt each scored 12 points for the Shock (1-2).

Minnesota's Charde Houston scored 23 points to lead four Lynx players in double figures. Lindsay Whalen finished with 16 points. Nicky Anosike added 15 and Monica Wright scored 11.

However, coach Nolan Richardson's famed ``40 minutes of hell'' defense might finally be catching on with the Shock.

Tulsa held the Lynx to a season-low .324 shooting percentage. The Shock's trapping defense also caught Minnesota in trouble several times. The Lynx committed a season-high 23 turnovers.

Meanwhile, Tulsa was turning the defensive stops into easy offense. The Shock had several easy lay-up opportunities en route to a shooting.

Tulsa scored 48 points in the paint and outscored Minnesota 30-6 in fast-break points.

Tulsa entered the fourth quarter leading 72-55 before Minnesota began to chip away.

The Lynx cut it to a 79-70 deficit, but the Shock scored six straight points to pull away for good.

It was a stark contrast from the season-opener for both teams when Minnesota held Tulsa to 38 percent shooting.

The Lynx (1-3) continue to struggle while short-handed. Minnesota expects the return of Candice Wiggins and Rebekkah Brunson this week. Seimone Augustus is hoping to return in June.

• Shock: --
• Lynx: --

• Shock: --
• Lynx: --

• Lead Changes: 0
• Times Tied: 0

• Arena: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Officials: #4 Sue Blauch, #53 Jeff Smith, #52 James Williams
• Attendance: 6822
• Duration: 2:7