Fever-Liberty Preview

By JEFF MEZYDLO
Posted Sep 08 2011 3:45PM

Having already clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Fever could be headed for an early playoff rematch with the New York Liberty.

However, before the visiting Fever can worry about exacting some postseason revenge, they'll try for a third consecutive win over the Liberty on Friday night.

Indiana (21-11) secured the top spot with an 87-69 win over Washington on Wednesday. Katie Douglas scored 21 points and Tamika Catchings added 17 as the Fever won their second in a row following a three-game skid.

The last time Indiana had the top record in the East, it reached the 2009 WNBA finals. The Fever also can set a franchise high for victories if they win their final two games against playoff-bound clubs New York (18-14) and Atlanta.

"We definitely want to be at our top game, rolling, in a good rhythm and being sharp," said Douglas, who has averaged 19.0 points - 5.7 more than her season average - over the last two games.

"Standing-wise, they're not going to affect us, but we can use these two games to our advantage and get better and get ready for the playoffs."

Friday's contest gives the Fever an up-close look at the Liberty, who sit fourth in the East and would be Indiana's first playoff opponent if the standings remain the same. New York, however, is one-half game behind the third-place Dream with two left.

Though New York eliminated Indiana in the 2010 conference semifinals, the Fever have won the last two meetings. That included an 86-80 road win over the Liberty on June 11.

Douglas was held to nine points in an 82-71 victory over New York on Aug. 13 but has averaged 17.7 against the Liberty this season. Catchings, a league MVP contender, had a season-high 32 points in that August contest and has averaged 21.3 versus New York in 2011.

"Tamika is just a great, great player," Fever coach Lin Dunn said. "She takes what she is being given every night. Her effort is unmatched."

While the Fever look to build momentum heading into the playoffs, they have a chance to rest some players in the final two games. Guard Erin Phillips is not expected to play Friday after she sprained her ankle versus Washington.

With a chance to improve its playoff position, the Liberty likely won't be resting anybody.

New York had won two straight before falling 86-68 to Minnesota on Sunday. Plenette Pierson scored 17 points, but the Liberty shot 35.7 percent while the Lynx made 54.0 percent of their shots. Star guard Cappie Pondexter went 0 for 9 from the field and finished with nine points.

Pondexter, who has shot 4 for 26 in her last two contests, is averaging 21.3 points and shooting 50.9 percent (26 of 51) versus Indiana this season.

Carson, Vaughn lead Liberty past Fever, 83-75

By VIN A. CHERWOO
Posted Sep 09 2011 11:21PM

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) After a bad loss to Minnesota, the New York Liberty were determined to make up for their poor play.

Essense Carson scored 18 points, Kia Vaughn had 15 points and nine rebounds, and the Liberty beat the first-place Indiana Fever 83-75 on Friday night.

New York was coming off an 86-68 defeat at home to the league-best Lynx on Sunday, two days after beating them on the road. The Liberty shot 1 for 19 from the field in the third quarter in the loss.

``That Minnesota game definitely wasn't our best game,'' Carson said. ``We had to really redeem ourselves on defense and on offense. So, that was more so our focus, really coming in here and playing the basketball that we know how to play. And we played that basketball and we came out with a win.''

Nicole Powell added 13 points, and Plenette Pierson and Cappie Pondexter had 12 apiece to help New York (19-14) pull into a tie with Atlanta for third place in the Eastern Conference - one game behind second-place Connecticut with one game remaining.

The Liberty still have a chance to get the No. 2 seed if they win at the Sun on Sunday and the Dream win at Indiana. New York has the tiebreaker in the three-team scenario. If just the Liberty win or if New York and Atlanta both lose, the Liberty will finish third.

Carson said the Liberty weren't thinking about the standings. They just wanted to play better.

``It was more 'We have to play our game. We have to play the way we know we can play,''' she said. ``We want to end on a good note. We have to prepare well for Connecticut. They're also a great team, No. 2 right now. We have to come in and play our game, really prepare well for them.''

Katie Douglas scored 17 points and Shannon Bobbitt had a career-high 16 points for the Fever (21-12), who had already secured the No. 1 seed in the East.

Trailing by 13 points with 5 1/2 minutes to go, Indiana scored seven consecutive points to pull within 75-69 with 3:13 remaining. Bobbitt made her fourth 3-pointer of the second half to start the run, and Jessica Davenport and Douglas made layups.

However, Leilani Mitchell and Powell made 3s about 50 seconds apart to seal the Liberty's win.

``We didn't come out aggressive like they did in the beginning,'' said Indiana's Tamika Catchings, who finished with nine points. ``The second half we came out and matched their intensity. ... But at the end of the day it was Kia Vaughn and what she was able to do, and as a team what they were able to do on the offensive boards. That's the thing that killed us.''

The Liberty outrebounded the Fever 30-19, finishing with 11 offensive boards.

``We had plenty of opportunities to win, but at the end of the day they had 20 points off offensive rebounds,'' Catchings said, ``and when we play a team like that, it's hard to overcome.''

Powell made consecutive jumpers and Pierson made two free throws to push New York's lead to 71-57 with 7:06 remaining

Shavonte Zellous followed with a 3 and Bobbitt made a layup to get Indiana within single digits again 27 seconds later. However, Kara Braxton hit a jumper and Pierson made two free throws to put the Liberty ahead 75-62 with 5:28 left, before the Fever made another run.

After Bobbitt's 3 in the opening minute of the third quarter pulled Indiana within nine, the Liberty scored the next eight points to take a 55-38 lead on Vaughn's free throws with 6:44 to go in the period.

Jeanette Pohlen, Douglas and Bobbitt made consecutive 3s to get Indiana within eight less than 2 minutes later.

Pierson followed with a layup for New York, and Bobbitt hit her third 3 of the third quarter and Douglas made 1 of 2 from the line to pull the Fever to 57-51 with 3:54 left.

Catchings then made three free throws, including a technical on Liberty coach John Whisenant, to get Indiana within five 36 seconds later. However, the Liberty closed the third quarter with a 6-1 run, including Carson's buzzer-beater from inside the 3-point line, to extend the lead back to double digits at 65-55.

Vaughn got the Liberty off to a strong start with seven points and six rebounds in the first quarter. Carson and Pondexter scored eight each as New York led 29-21 after 10 minutes.

``I wanted to continue to be a presence for the team and be the first one to start it off because I know if I keep the energy going I can help my teammates,'' Vaughn said. ``Then you have to focus on me and everybody else can hit shots.''

Mitchell hit a 3 to give the Liberty a 33-21 lead with 7 1/2 minutes to go in the second quarter. The teams played close the rest of the period, and Braxton's layup beat the halftime buzzer to give New York a 47-35 lead at halftime.

• Fever: --
• Liberty: --

• Fever: --
• Liberty: Whisenant

• Lead Changes: 3
• Times Tied: 2

• Arena: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
• Officials: #4 Sue Blauch, #21 Byron Jarrett, #45 Tom Mauer
• Attendance: 8015
• Duration: 1:51