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Liberty-Fever Preview

Aug 2, 2010 - 5:19 PM By PAUL DIGIACOMO STATS Senior Editor

New York (14-11) at Indiana (16-9), 7:00 p.m. EDT

With just under three weeks to go in the season, the New York Liberty have put themselves in position to make the playoffs. Stringing together a few more victories could lead to securing the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

New York looks for a season-best fourth straight win Tuesday night when it visits an Indiana Fever team trying to avoid a season-high third loss in a row by continuing its dominance in the series.

The Liberty (14-11) and Fever (16-9) are among the six teams in the East separated by just six games. New York has moved into the fourth and final playoff spot by taking a one-game lead over Connecticut, while Indiana is in second place and one game behind Atlanta.

Cappie Pondexter helped the Liberty match their season-high win streak and take over sole possession of fourth place Sunday, scoring 24 points in a 71-67 victory over the Sun. Pondexter became the second-fastest WNBA player to reach 3,000 points, accomplishing the feat in 154 games.

New York has won five of six to move three games over .500 for the first time this season.

"The other teams have been noticing, but now that we're peaking at the right time," coach Anne Donovan said. "I think there's not anybody that's not talking about New York being in the playoffs and doing some damage."

Pondexter is fourth in the league with 20.9 points per game in her first season with the Liberty, who acquired her from Phoenix in a three-team trade March 30.

"I've been playing definitely at a high level," she said. "(3,000 points) is a great honor and I'm pleased to know that my hard work has paid off."

Pondexter scored a career-high 40 points in the last meeting with Indiana, but it wasn't enough as the Liberty lost 84-81 in overtime at home July 18. She scored 21 as New York fell for the 13th straight time at Conseco Fieldhouse, 78-73 on June 5.

The Fever have won the last seven meetings in this series.

Indiana is 10-3 at home but lost its last game there, 77-73 to third-place Washington on Friday. The Fever then lost 90-74 at Atlanta on Sunday to drop back-to-back games for the first time since opening 0-2.

Tamika Catchings scored 24 points Sunday for Indiana, which shot 34.8 percent.

"We have to regroup," Catchings said. "Home court is important and we want to have it for the playoffs."