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Mercury-Lynx Preview

Aug 1, 2009 - 3:36 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Phoenix (14-6) at Minnesota (10-8), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Diana Taurasi was serving her two-game suspension for a DUI when the Phoenix Mercury lost to the Minnesota Lynx last month, snapping their longest winning streak of the season.

After struggling in her last game, Taurasi looks to rebound with another big offensive performance against Minnesota on Saturday as Phoenix tries to avoid back-to-back losses.

The Western Conference-leading Mercury (14-6) had their season-high six-game winning streak snapped July 22 with a 99-86 loss to the Lynx (10-9). Taurasi was serving the second game of a two-game suspension, and without her, Phoenix couldn't overcome a 16-point, third-quarter deficit.

Taurasi has since returned, but she couldn't provide enough offense for the Mercury in a 106-76 loss to Atlanta on Thursday. Taurasi, who is averaging 20.7 points, was held to 11 on 4-of-13 shooting. The loss was the Mercury's second in four games as they fell to 2-1 on a five-game road trip that ends Tuesday at Seattle.

Phoenix still has a two-game lead over second-place Seattle in the West.

"We play a lot of games in this league and not all of them turn out the way you want," Taurasi said. "You can't get too high and can't get too low."

She isn't the only one who is looking to bounce back after a poor performance. The Mercury were outrebounded 49-32 and outscored 46-30 in the paint by the Dream. They came in averaging a league-high 93.2 points but shot 39 percent. Cappie Pondexter, who is averaging 19.7 points, was held to a season-low two.

"They really pounded us inside," said Tangela Smith, who led Phoenix with 15 points. "They were so aggressive and pulled ahead by so much, we couldn't come back. We just didn't play a full 40-minute game. It showed."

Although the Mercury didn't play well against Minnesota last month, they should get some help from Taurasi, who averaged 26.7 points and 7.7 rebounds in three games against the Lynx in 2008. Phoenix and Minnesota split two games at the Target Center.

The Lynx, who are in third place in the West, have lost four of five, including a 91-83 defeat at Detroit on Friday. Minnesota pulled within 73-72 after a 9-0 run, but couldn't get closer than three points thereafter. Rashanda McCants scored 14 points.

"We picked it up, but we had to waste too much energy getting back into the game," Lynx coach Jennifer Gillom said.

Charde Houston also had 14 points, but she was the only starter to finish in double figures. Candice Wiggins, who came in averaging 13.0 points, finished with five to give her a total of nine in her last two games.

The Lynx are 1-1 when playing on back-to-back days. They open a four-game homestand Saturday, looking to improve on a 5-5 record at the Target Center.