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Whitmore carries Fever past Shock in season finale

Aug 20, 2007 - 12:59 AM INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Indiana Fever finished the season on a positive note, but the same can't be said for the Detroit Shock.

Tamika Whitmore scored 18 points off the bench and Anna DeForge added 17 and eight rebounds as the Fever posted a 72-66 triumph over the Shock in the regular season finale for both clubs.

Despite not having All-Star Tamika Catchings in the lineup since late June, Indiana (21-13) ended the campaign winning four of six to prepare for a first-round matchup against third-seeded Connecticut (18-16).

Tammy Sutton-Brown's layup with 5:20 left snapped a 59-59 tie, sparking a 9-2 surge as the Fever grabbed the lead for good and never looked back.

With the Eastern Conference already wrapped up and home-court advantage throughout, Detroit (24-10) rested its starters in the fourth quarter to extend its slide to four games.

Kara Braxton and Plenette Pierson each scored 13 points for the Shock, who will host the fourth-seeded New York Liberty (16-18) in the opening round of the playoffs next weekend.