Fever-Storm Preview

By MATT BEARDMORE
Posted Aug 22 2012 1:47PM

Even with 12 games left, it's doubtful that the fourth-place Seattle Storm will move in the Western Conference standings before the postseason starts.

However, having three-time MVP Lauren Jackson in the lineup could help the Storm make a strong push going into the playoffs.

Jackson could make her season debut when the Storm, trying to avoid a third straight loss in Seattle, go for their sixth consecutive home win over the Indiana Fever on Thursday night.

Eight games back of WNBA-leading Minnesota and 6 1/2 behind San Antonio and Los Angeles, Seattle (10-12) is pretty well set in the fourth and final playoff spot in the West. The Storm hold a significant edge over 4-17 Phoenix and 3-18 Tulsa, owners of the worst records in the league.

An 8-3 run leading into the Olympic break helped the Storm reach this position, but the team's lack of depth up front is taking a toll as they've dropped two of three.

Center Ann Wauters has missed the last eight contests with an Achilles' injury, league all-time leading scorer Tina Thompson is day-to-day with a sprained knee and Jackson hasn't suited up for the Storm in 2012, having played for Australia as it took bronze at the London Games.

Jackson couldn't help in Tuesday's 86-73 home loss to the Lynx as she watched from the bench after flying in from Australia, but said she'd make her season debut Thursday.

While that's subject to change, the Storm are thrilled to have their star back.

"I'm looking forward to playing with her again,'' point guard Sue Bird said. "She's someone who has been a partner in crime for the last 11 seasons. Whenever we're back on the floor together, it's very comfortable. I think she puts us at ease.''

Seattle won 68-54 in Indiana's last visit June 17, 2011.

While the Storm try to prevent their first three-game home skid since a four-game slide July 16-30, 2006, the Fever (12-8) continue their three-game Western Conference trip following a 79-69 loss to the Sparks on Tuesday.

Indiana shot 34.2 percent from the field and fell four back of East-leading Connecticut.

The Fever could snap their three-game losing streak to West opponents if forward Katie Douglas continues her solid play. She's gone 10 for 14 from 3-point range in the last two contests and scored 51 points - her best two-game stretch of 2012.

Indiana and Seattle split two games in 2011. Center Jessica Davenport led the Fever with 22 points in those matchups, while Catchings grabbed a team-high 20 boards.

Indiana last dropped two in a row during a season-worst three-game slide June 3-15.

Zellous' last-second 3 lifts Fever past Storm

Posted Aug 24 2012 1:56AM

SEATTLE (AP) With former defensive player of the year Lauren Jackson looming over her and the game clock winding down, Indiana's Briann January drove baseline.

The Fever had trimmed a 13-point deficit to one over a nearly 4-minute span, and were about to put a common practice in motion.

January took a bump from Jackson and kicked a pass into the corner to wide-open Shavonte Zellous, who released a 3-point shot just before the clock expired, held her follow through and smiled as the ball fell through to give the Fever an unlikely 68-66 victory over the Seattle Storm on Thursday night.

``That's something we definitely practice, drive and drift,'' January said. ``Someone drives baseline, someone slides to the baseline and spots up in the corner. It was either that or a reverse. It was uncontested, wide open.''

Tamika Catchings had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Fever (13-8), who closed with a 15-0 run. January added 11 points and Zellous finished with 10.

``This is a great win for us,'' Catchings said. ``We go on to Phoenix from here so it's not like we can get too high, but for tonight, for right now, being able to come out with a `W' is just huge for this team.''

Camille Little scored 15 points to lead Seattle (10-13), who were 0 for 5 from the field and committed four turnovers over the final 3:50. Sue Bird added 14 points, Shekinna Stricklen had 13 and Ewelina Kobryn 10.

``I think they stole one,'' Bird said

The stunning loss spoiled Jackson's anticipated season debut with the Storm. The three-time MVP, who missed the first half of the season while training with the Australian national team for the Olympics, finished with four points on 1-for-4 shooting and had six rebounds in about 24 minutes.

Jackson looked rusty and appeared confused on how to run a set early in the game.

``I just didn't fit in,'' Jackson said. ``It doesn't help the girls with a presence like mine coming in and not knowing the plays.''

Bird's jumper with 4:04 to go put Seattle up 66-63, but the Storm didn't score again. Stricklen missed on the next possession and Catchings started the final rally with a jumper with 3:38 left.

Indiana took advantage of two turnovers by Camille Little - one on a bad pass and another on an offensive foul - as Erin Phillips had a three-point play and Catchings made a 3 to pull Indiana within five about a minute later.

``We knew we were still chipping away,'' Indiana coach Lin Dunn said. ``We had to get a couple stops and then score. We changed our offensive set and did a few different things down the stretch.''

Jessica Davenport made two baskets as Jackson committed two turnovers and missed a jumper to pull the Fever to 66-65 with 54.7 seconds left.

Bird missed a 3 with 40 seconds to go and Davenport blocked Tanisha Wright's jumper 22 seconds later, setting up the final play.

``We've got a team in there that's used to winning those games,'' Seattle head coach Brian Agler said. ``We didn't. We've got to get to a point when we're put in those situations, either at home or on the road, that we're making the plays we've got to make.''

Jackson had a quiet start, making just one free throw in the first half. She hit her first field goal - a 3-pointer - to stretch Seattle's lead to 49-38 with just less than 2 minutes left in the third.

January opened the fourth quarter with a corner 3-pointer during which she was fouled by Wright. January completed the four-point play to pull Indiana within 51-46.

However, Svetlana Abrosimova had a driving layup and Wright found a wide-open Little under the hoop to bloat the lead back to 55-46 with 8 1/2 minutes to go.

Seattle fell behind 12-3 to open the game before scoring the next 16 points and taking its first lead on a 3 by Stricklen in the final second of the first quarter.

Stricklen's fastbreak layup capped the run and put the Storm ahead 19-12 with 8:46 left in the second quarter. Catchings' layup 30 seconds layup ended Indiana's scoring drought.

Sasha Goodlett's layup put the Fever up 22-21 with 4:07 to go in the half, but Little's two free throws in the final minute gave the Storm a 29-27 lead at the break.

• Fever: --
• Storm: --

• Fever: --
• Storm: --

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 2

• Arena: Key Arena, Seattle, WA
• Officials: #7 Clarke Stevens, #9 Denise Brooks, #62 Jeff Wooten
• Attendance: 5819
• Duration: 1:48