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Liberty-Storm Preview

Jul 5, 2010 - 6:21 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

New York (7-8) at Seattle (15-2), 3:00 p.m. EDT

A blow to the head didn't prevent Lauren Jackson from finishing her last game. There isn't much that has been able to stop the Seattle Storm recently, either.

The Storm, hoping Jackson is available after suffering a possible concussion, look to match a franchise record for consecutive wins as they host the New York Liberty on Tuesday.

Jackson took an elbow to the head in the first quarter against Los Angeles on Saturday, but finished with 20 points and eight rebounds as Seattle (15-2) won 75-62. Following the game, Jackson complained of symptoms that could point to a concussion.

"I couldn't really remember what happened after (the injury)," Jackson said. "I was just playing. It doesn't even bother me."

Jackson leads the WNBA's top team, averaging 21.4 points. The seven-time All-Star has been particularly effective over the last four games, averaging 25.7 points and shooting 55.7 percent.

Jackson had 20 points and 12 rebounds in a 92-84 win over New York (7-8) on June 18. That began what has become a six-game winning streak for the Storm.

Seattle is a win away from matching the longest run in franchise history, set last season.

Resiliency has helped the Storm. They responded with a 10-0 spurt after the Sparks narrowed their deficit to 60-57 with 7:37 to play.

"Teams are going to make runs and it's what you do in reaction to that," guard Sue Bird said. "That's what makes this team so good right now. It's that we're able to react to those things and handle them."

Bird had 22 points, 10 assists and three steals last month against the Liberty.

New York guard Cappie Pondexter had 24 points and four assists in that contest. She was having another successful performance Saturday night before being ejected for hitting former teammate Penny Taylor in the face in the third quarter of a 97-82 loss to Phoenix.

Taylor was driving to the basket when Pondexter struck her. Pondexter was traded to the Liberty in March after playing her first three seasons with the Mercury, winning two titles.

She had 21 points and five rebounds before being ejected. Pondexter ranks third in the league in scoring, averaging 19.8 points, and is 5 for 8 from 3-point range over her last three contests.

Without Pondexter down the stretch, New York lost for the first time in four games.

The Liberty had a letdown defensively after surrendering an average of 71.3 points over their previous three contests. New York has given up an average of 84.2 points while losing five straight in Seattle.