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Mercury-Lynx Preview

Jul 23, 2010 - 5:25 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Phoenix (9-12) at Minnesota (7-13), 8:00 p.m. EDT

The Phoenix Mercury showed why they are the highest scoring team with a record-setting performance in their last game. The Minnesota Lynx can probably only view it with envy.

Diana Taurasi and the league's best shooting team take on the league's worst in that department when the Mercury visit the Lynx on Saturday night.

Phoenix (9-12) set a league record for points in a 123-91 rout of Tulsa on Thursday, including 67 in the first half. The Mercury shot 59 percent (36 of 61) from the field, and remained in second place in the Western Conference behind 19-2 Seattle.

"We just hit on all cylinders, getting open shots," coach Corey Gaines said.

The Mercury led by 33 after the third quarter in the opener of a three-game trip. Taurasi scored 26 points, Candice Dupree had 23 and Ketia Swanier added 17.

"Records are nice, but as long as you win the game," said Taurasi, who leads the league with a 23.4 scoring average. "I think we are more happy that we got to play really good basketball for long stretches. But records are nice too."

Phoenix bolstered its frontcourt Friday, acquiring forward Kara Braxton from Tulsa for Nicole Ohlde. Braxton is averaging 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds.

"Braxton is a force that will help us this year and into the future," Gaines said. "She has played on WNBA championship teams."

The Mercury are shooting 46.2 percent while the Lynx (7-13) are at 39.3 percent.

Minnesota fell into fourth place in the West with Thursday's 74-72 home loss to San Antonio. The Lynx are one-half game behind the Silver Stars, and would like to avoid fourth and a playoff matchup with the league-leading Storm.

Seimone Augustus scored 22 points to lead the Lynx, who lost their second straight after leading by 10 points midway through the fourth quarter.

"Disappointing game," coach Cheryl Reeve said. "For the magnitude of the game, every game is so big. For us to let one get away, it hurts."

Lindsay Whalen finished with four points on 2-of-11 shooting for Minnesota after averaging 14.7 points on 50.0 percent shooting in her previous three games. Whalen has played poorly in two games against the Mercury this year, making 2 of 8 shots for a total of 15 points.

"Phoenix is coming in and we have to be ready to go," Whalen told the Lynx's official website.

Phoenix and Minnesota split the two meetings, with Lynx rookie Monica Wright picking up the slack. Wright - the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft - scored 32 in a 92-82 win over the Mercury on June 1 and had 21 in a 99-88 road loss nine days later for her two best scoring efforts of the year.

Taurasi averaged 26.0 points in the two matchups for Phoenix.