Detroit Shock at San Antonio Silver Stars (-2.5, 154)
The defending-champion Detroit Shock have gone from a team on the brink of a lost season amid a slew of injuries and a coaching change, to one on the brink of salvaging its season with a late surge.
The San Antonio Silver Spurs have watched a once-promising season fade away due to a prolonged and ill-timed losing streak.
Detroit heads into San Antonio with a four-game winning streak while playing its best basketball of the season. The reeling Silver Spurs have lost six of seven to fall out of the playoff picture.
Deanna Nolan scored 29 points as the Shock beat the Atlanta Dream 87-83 Thursday night to take possession of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Detroit (13-14) leads Chicago and Washington by a half game.
“We’ve got our mojo back,” Nolan said. “It’s great to have gotten to fourth, and we’re still in reach of second and third.”
The Silver Spurs (11-17) appear to have lost their mojo during a disastrous stretch in which they have dropped four of their past five home games. A win against Detroit might help them salvage some of it, but don’t bet on it.
Pick: Detroit +2.5
Atlanta Dream at Seattle Storm (-5, 160)
In just the franchise’s second year of existence, the Atlanta Dream already have exceeded expectations by producing a winning season and taking a comfortable hold on the second spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The battle-tested Seattle Storm have battled inconsistency, but are playing their playoff-caliber basketball at the right time.
The Storm (17-11) secured a playoff berth with Thursday’s win over the Connecticut Sun, and are looking to improve their playoff position with a strong finish.
“We’re starting to play the type of basketball we need to play going into the playoffs,” said Storm forward Swin Cash, who finished with 17 points and nine rebounds. “You look at the West and Seattle has been that consistent team that’s been in the playoffs. Now, it’s just time to get over that hump.”
The Dream (15-13) went on a tear after the All-Star break, winning seven of eight games to surge into the playoff picture. But Atlanta has lost two of three during a brutal stretch run in which it plays six of its last seven on the road.
The Dream lost a double-digit lead to the Detroit Shock Thursday before succumbing 87-83. They head to Seattle banged up after a physical affair in Detroit that had coach Marynell Meadors fuming afterward.
She criticized the officiating, and referred to the Shock players as “bullies.”
Pick: Seattle -5
