NEW YORK (AP) -- The last-place Detroit Shock proved there are no
easy wins for the New York Liberty heading into the final stretch
of the WNBA season.
Vickie Johnson and Tari Phillips scored 17 points each as the
Liberty edged the Shock 66-63 on Wednesday night to close within 2
1/2 games of Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland.
New York clinched a playoff spot for the fourth time in five
years when the Rockers beat Orlando on Monday night.
The Liberty, who improved to 10-2 at Madison Square Garden, play
four of their last five games at home. Ahead of Miami by two games,
the Liberty need to maintain a superior overall record to earn
homecourt advantage in the WNBA playoffs, which begin Aug. 16.
"We had a stretch where we lost four in a row, and that's not
us," Phillips said of road losses to Cleveland, Portland and Utah
surrounding a loss to Miami that snapped an eight-game home winning
streak. "The big challenge is all the teams coming in will be
vying for position."
The Shock, who own the worst record in the WNBA at 7-19, played
like they were in contention for a playoff spot. The Liberty (18-9)
needed to rally in the final five minutes to secure the win.
Tamika Whitmore hit two free throws and the Liberty took a 59-58
lead, its first since early in the first half. A short baseline
jumper by Phillips extended the lead to 64-61 with 1:52 remaining.
Elena Tornikidou, who had a season-high 22 points, made a
reverse layup as Detroit closed within one, but Whitmore made a
layup on a feed from Teresa Weatherspoon for a 66-63 lead with just
over a minute left. On Detroit's next possession, Robinson stole
the ball with 42 seconds left.
Weatherspoon then missed a jumper, giving the Shock a chance to
tie with 9.6 seconds. But Palmer missed a baseline 3-pointer and
Whitmore grabbed the rebound to secure the win.
"That is the best team I know that's down at the bottom,"
Weatherspoon said.
Crystal Robinson finished with 10 points for the Liberty.
Phillips had 10 rebounds for her ninth double-double, and Whitmore
had eight points and five rebounds in 28 minutes.
Weatherspoon shot 2-for-3 from behind the arc and finished with
eight points, six rebounds and 10 assists.
"When we all contribute, we are a very difficult team to
beat," Weatherspoon said.
Wendy Palmer added 15 points for the Shock, who have lost eight
of their last 10 games.
"It's anybody's game in the final two minutes," Detroit coach
Greg Williams said. "We turned the ball over and gave them some
easy looks late in the game. Everything statistically was pretty
even."
Tournikidou, who averages 8.2 points, scored 14 during Detroit's
early 23-9 run. She capped the spurt with eight straight points for
a 23-14 lead -- the largest of the game -- with 5:54 remaining in the
first half.
"She's a very accomplished post player," New York coach Richie
Adubato said of the 6-foot-1 Russian, who finished 8-for-13.
The Liberty, who face Cleveland on Saturday, may be without
veteran Sue Wicks. While defending Palmer's jump shot, Wicks with
down with a sprained right ankle with just under three minutes
remaining in the first half. X-rays were negative, but she is
unlikely to suit up.
Season series losses to Cleveland and Miami mean New York would
lose homecourt advantage if it came down to a tiebreaker. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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ALSO SEE
WNBA Scoreboard
Detroit team page
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