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Liberty-Sky Preview

Aug 27, 2009 - 7:08 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

New York (11-16) at Chicago (13-15), 8:30 p.m. EDT

The struggling Chicago Sky still have an opportunity to secure the franchise's first playoff berth. The return of their All-Star center could help.

With Sylvia Fowles' status still in question, Chicago looks to avoid a season-high tying fourth straight loss and equal the franchise record for wins Friday night when it hosts the New York Liberty in the opener of a home-and-home series

Since winning five of seven from July 29-Aug. 15, the Sky (13-15) have lost three straight and are battling Washington, defending league champion Detroit and the Liberty for the Eastern Conference's fourth and final playoff spot.

Fowles, averaging 12.0 points and 8.6 rebounds, has missed all three games due to a sprained left ankle. With the 6-foot-6 center sidelined for Tuesday's 75-63 loss at Los Angeles, Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie scored 21 points apiece against the overmatched Sky.

"Our energy and effort was there, but Parker and Lisa played great games," said Chicago's Candice Dupree, who leads the club with an average of 15.2 points per game. "It's tough when our tallest player is 6-foot-3 and their tallest players are 6-5 and 6-6."

In the Sky's last game against New York, Fowles had 22 points, nine boards and two blocks in an 88-77 victory at Madison Square Garden on Aug. 14

If Fowles can't play, the Sky, who are 9-4 at home, will try for their first win this season without her in the lineup. Chicago went 0-5 in July when Fowles rested a sore right knee.

A victory Friday would also match Chicago's franchise record set in 2007 when it went 14-20 in its second season in the league.

New York (11-16), meanwhile, is going for its season-high third straight win after rallying from a 17-point, first-quarter deficit to defeat Minnesota 80-67 on Sunday.

"The first quarter was bad but we stuck it out and fought to get back in the game," Liberty forward Shameka Christon said after scoring 24 points. "It's getting toward the end of the season and we are trying to make a push.

"Every game is very important and we are trying to focus on the little things and do what we can to make ourselves better."

New York, which has won five of eight since a five-game skid, may be without center Janel McCarville on Friday after missing the second half against the Lynx with a left ankle injury. McCarville leads New York with 5.6 rebounds per game and is second on the club with 12.9 points.

The Liberty's 77-70 win over the Sky on July 22 was their first in Chicago.

Each team has won four games in this series. The Sky will travel to meet New York on Sunday.