Diana Taurasi has been leading the way as the Phoenix Mercury have won their last four games. | Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Mercury have won four straight games and will face off with the Seattle Storm, who sit atop the league standings. The Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings are both riding three-game skids, while the Chicago Sky look to bounce back against the Connecticut Sun after a tough loss.
The surging Phoenix Mercury take on the league-leading Seattle Storm Saturday afternoon. The Mercury are looking for their fifth straight win after dropping their first two games to start the season. The Storm are sitting atop the league standings at 5-1, having won their last three games.
The Storm are a known quantity offensively, as they are in the top half of the league in most statistical categories, but their defense is what has separated them from the pack at this early stage in the season. The Storm are allowing 77.8 points per game, which is second in the league, and are allowing their opponent to shoot just 40.1 percent, which leads the league.
The Mercury have been outstanding on offense so far. Phoenix leads the league in scoring and field goal percentage and is third in 3-point shooting percentage. Defensively, the Mercury are still a work in progress, as they rank in the lower half of the league in points allowed, overall shooting percentage, and 3-point percentage.
Atlanta Dream vs. Dallas Wings
The Dream opened their season with a win over the Wings, but have won one game since then and have dropped their last three games. The Wings followed up their season-opening loss with two consecutive victories, but have also last their last three games.
Chennedy Carter is coming off a historic 35-point game in the Dream’s 93-92 loss against the Storm. Carter is leading the Dream with 20.3 points per game. After scoring 30 points in the season opener, Monique Billings has failed to reach double figures in any one game since then. Additionally, Atlanta’s struggles defensively have hurt them, as they are last in points allowed.
The Wings have been relatively competitive in all of their games as three of their four losses have been by 10 points or less. The Wings are second-worst in opponent’s field goal percentage and surrender the most rebounds to their opponents, two areas that they desperately need to improve upon.
Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun
The Sky are coming off a loss to the Mercury while the Sun won their last game after losing their first five games.
The Sky are second in the league in overall field goal percentage and 3-point shooting percentage, whereas the Connecticut Sun are near the bottom of the league in overall field percentage and 3-point shooting percentage. The Sky have been average on defense, winning three of their four games by three points or fewer.
The Sun failures on offense and their average defense have been what doomed them in the early part of the season. The Sun’s offense will be challenged to keep up with the Sky.
Game Information
All games will be played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.
Atlanta Dream vs. Dallas Wings
When: Saturday, August 7 at 12 p.m. ET
How to watch: ESPN2, SN1
Key to the matchup: Chennedy Carter vs. Arike Ogunbowale. Both players are leading their teams in scoring and are the primary ball handler for their respective teams, Carter’s and Ogunbowale’s play will significantly impact the outcome of the game.
Wings injury report: Tyasha Harris (out, inconclusive COVID-19 test)
Highlights: Chennedy Carter’s 35-point night
35 POINTS – What a night by @ChennedyCarter.
Enjoy this video #GoDream pic.twitter.com/rBVccsgZ88
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) August 7, 2020
Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm
When: Saturday, August 7 at 3 p.m. ET
How to watch: ABC, TSN2
Key to the matchup: Diana Taurasi has averaged 20 points and shot 42 percent from beyond the arc over the course of the Mercury’s four-game win streak. During the Mercury’s 0-2 start, Taurasi averaged 11 points and shot nine percent from 3-point range. If the Storm contain Taurasi, it could put the Mercury up against the wall in this one.
Mercury injury report: Jessica Breland (out, medical exemption); Bria Hartley (doubtful, foot)
Storm injury report: Sue Bird (out, knee).
Highlights: The Storm’s 93-92 win over the Dream
Check out the full highlights from tonight’s 93-92 win over the @AtlantaDream presented by @Symetra #StrongerThanEver pic.twitter.com/dFZRaAIG8C
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 7, 2020
Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun
When: Saturday, August 7 at 5 p.m. ET
How to watch: NBA TV (Tape Delay), NESN+, The U, NBA TV Canada
Key to the matchup: Balanced scoring is the key to this one. The Sky have six players that average over 10 points per game while the Sun have only two players in double figures. However, the Sun used a balanced attack to win their last game. The team that can find a balanced attack should be able to find their way to the top.
Sky injury report: Stefanie Dolson (out, ankle).
Sun injury report: Jacki Gemelos (probable, knee); Briann January (out, illness); Theresa Plaisance (probable, back).
Highlights: Alyssa Thomas’ double-double in the Sun’s first win
A double-double for @athomas_25 earns her player of the game!
8.6.2020
Dallas Wings
15 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST pic.twitter.com/0KX3fJ3Ow9— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 7, 2020