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Liberty-Shock Preview

Sep 10, 2009 - 4:11 AM By ANDY LEFKOWITZ STATS Editor

New York (12-20) at Detroit (16-15), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Detroit Shock need one win to clinch a playoff berth and defend their WNBA title. Facing a last-place team could make that task somewhat easier.

The Shock will try to lock down a postseason spot on Thursday night when they play host to the New York Liberty.

Last season, the Shock reached the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth straight time and won their third WNBA title in six years. Following the resignation of coach Bill Laimbeer three games into the 2009 season and a 2-7 start, it didn't appear Detroit would be headed back to the playoffs.

A late-season surge, though, has helped as Detroit had won seven of eight going into Wednesday's game at Minnesota. Cheryl Ford scored nine points during a 13-0 fourth-quarter run to give the Shock the lead, but the defense faltered late in a 75-72 defeat.

"They needed a win, they're in desperation mode," Detroit coach Rick Mahorn said. "We're not in the playoffs. When it starts, when all the dust lands, we'll see if we're there. Right now we're still playing for a playoff spot."

Ford finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Alexis Hornbuckle tied a career-high by scoring 14. Deanna Nolan, coming off two straight player of the week awards, shot 3 of 19 from the floor.

Detroit is third in the Eastern Conference - one game ahead of Chicago, Washington and Connecticut. Each team has two games left and a win over the Liberty will send the Shock (16-16) into the postseason.

Detroit and New York have split two meetings this year with each winning at home.

On July 2, Shameka Christon scored 25 points as the Liberty snapped a three-game skid with an 80-64 win. The Shock evened the series Aug. 4 when Nolan had 26 points and 14 rebounds in a 76-64 victory, and are 10-6 this year at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

New York (12-20) has already been eliminated from postseason contention, and will now focus on snapping a three-game skid heading into its final road contest of 2009.

Essence Carson scored 17 points, Ashley Battle had 12 and Janel McCarville added 11 as the Liberty fell to Eastern Conference-leading Indiana 69-63 on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

"I saw the team play with a lot of heart," interim Liberty coach Anne Donovan said. "I would like to see this team finish on a high note. We have not had a lot of that during the season."

New York was without Christon, its leading scorer with 16.9 points per game, due to the flu and her status for this contest is unknown.

The Liberty close out the season Sunday by hosting Washington.