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Mercury-Dream Preview

Jul 29, 2009 - 8:44 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Phoenix (14-5) at Atlanta (8-10), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Phoenix Mercury have certainly enjoyed seeing Diana Taurasi back in their lineup, but they're also hoping they have Cappie Pondexter back from a brief shooting slump.

Pondexter followed a rare poor performance with her best offensive game of the season in Phoenix's latest win, an effort she'll hope to build on Thursday night as the visiting Mercury put their perfect record versus the Eastern Conference on the line against the Atlanta Dream.

Taurasi scored a season-high 34 against New York on Sunday in her return to Phoenix (14-5) after serving a two-game suspension following her drunk-driving arrest, and that helped make up for Pondexter's struggles.

Tied with Taurasi for the league's scoring lead at 20.7 points per game coming in, Pondexter was held to 10 on 3-of-16 shooting in the 94-88 victory.

Yet, as Phoenix continued its five-game road trip in Connecticut on Tuesday, it was Pondexter who stepped up. The three-time All-Star went 12 for 18 and scored 29 to lead the Mercury to a 95-80 win, their eighth in nine games and sixth in as many tries against the East.

"I didn't have the best offensive outing the last game, so I just wanted to come out focused and give my team some energy today," Pondexter. "We're very focused on this road trip. We want to start the second half off right, and these games are very important."

The Dream (8-10) haven't even started their second half, but they should feel confident coming off a big win and more than a week's worth of rest.

Ivory Latta scored 22 off the bench July 22 at Detroit to help Atlanta to a 98-95 overtime win. Angel McCoughtry and Michelle Snow combined for 36 more, giving the Dream bench 58 as they finished a five-game road trip at 2-3.

"Our bench has been really good all year long - even in training camp the bench was beating the first team," coach Marynell Meadors said. "They came in today and played together, and I think it was their defense that created opportunities."

Chamique Holdsclaw struggled from the field against the Shock, shooting 4 of 17 and finishing with 13 points. Typically, however, the Dream struggle when Holdsclaw is held below her 15.1-point average, going 2-8.

Phoenix won both meetings during Atlanta's inaugural season in 2008 by an average of 22.0 points. Taurasi led the way with 24.5 points per game.

The Mercury are 5-3 on the road and the Dream are 5-3 at Philips Arena. Atlanta plays eight of its next nine at home.