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Shock-Sun Preview

Aug 24, 2009 - 6:08 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Detroit (11-14) at Connecticut (14-12), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Detroit Shock have some work to do if they plan on having a chance to defend their championship, but two wins over the weekend have them feeling good about their situation.

Katie Smith's hot shooting might have them feeling even better.

The reigning finals MVP shook off a slump with a pair of impressive performances, and she'll look to help the Shock win three straight for the first time this season Tuesday night when they visit the Connecticut Sun.

The last time Detroit (11-14) won three consecutive games was the 2008 WNBA finals, when it swept San Antonio to capture the franchise's third championship.

The Shock have never looked like a threat to challenge for another title this season, and with nine games to go, they're a game out of playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Needing to put together a string of victories, though, Detroit found some momentum over the weekend.

Smith is having one of the best shooting seasons of her career - making 43.1 percent from the floor and 41.9 percent from 3-point range - but she had averaged 5.0 points and was 2 of 13 from the field in recent losses to Indiana and Seattle.

Smith recovered nicely in the Shock's two weekend wins, though. The five-time All-Star scored 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting in a 76-67 victory at Chicago on Saturday, then hit 10 of 15 shots Sunday - including six 3s - on her way to a season-high 31 points in a 99-84 win over the Silver Stars on Sunday.

"This was a big weekend, because we got two wins that we desperately needed," coach Rick Mahorn said. "Katie has been a horse for us, and she's given us a huge lift in the last two days."

Though Detroit is a game removed from last place in the conference, it's also 2 1/2 behind Atlanta and Connecticut (14-12), which are tied for second place.

"We've dug ourselves a hole, and we've got a lot of work to do if we even want to sniff the playoffs," Smith said. "We're going to try to at least make it exciting."

The Sun have alternated wins and losses in their last five games, with their victories all coming at home. Lindsay Whalen and Sandrine Gruda each had 21 points Saturday in a 98-94 win over Minnesota, helping Connecticut bounce back from an overtime loss in New York on Friday.

"After a game like that, you know you have to put it out of your mind because you have to come back within 24 hours and play again," said Whalen, who also had eight rebounds and eight assists as Connecticut won its fourth straight home game.

The home team has yet to win in a season series the Sun lead 2-1. Leading scorer Asjha Jones, out with an Achilles' injury, has averaged 20.3 points against Detroit, while Whalen has scored 16.7 points per game.

Smith has averaged 19.7 points on 53.4 percent shooting versus Connecticut.