Game Information
Date: Saturday, July 6, 2013
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Site: Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Broadcast Information
Television - FOX Sports Indiana and NBATV
Radio - The Fan 1070AM/107.5 FM
Webcast - Live webcast and stats can be accessed via WNBA Live Access on FeverBasketball.com
Storylines & Promotions
� The Indiana Fever hosts the Connecticut Sun on Saturday evening in what is the third game of a four-game homestand. In what is Connecticut�s second trip to Bankers Life Fieldhouse this season, it is the second of five meetings between the clubs this season. The Sun downed the Fever on June 12, 73-61, behind 30 points and 10 rebounds from reigning league MVP Tina Charles.
� Saturday�s matchup pits a pair of teams desperate to overcome injury circumstances. Where Indiana�s M*A*S*H Unit has included seven different players missing time due to injury, the Sun has played without the services of three different guards thus far � starting point guard Renee Montgomery, top 3-point shooter Kara Lawson and reserve Tan White. Both teams enter the contest with 3-7 records, 1 � games behind third place New York and Washington, both 5-6.
� A Fever win against Connecticut would establish a modest three-game win streak and help Indiana pass the Sun in the East standings. A loss would send Indiana to its eighth loss in 11 games.
� The Indiana homestand has been a blessing so far, with the return of Tamika Catchings sparking back-to-back wins over Tulsa and Seattle to snap a seven-game losing streak.
� Counting recent injuries to Tamika Catchings and Layshia Clarendon and the loss of Briann January (concussion) during the second half of last week�s win over Seattle, the Fever has had seven different players miss action through the season�s first 10 games. The Fever has used five different starting lineups.
� Despite the temporary loss of Briann January to a concussion last Saturday, the light at the end of the �injury tunnel� may soon be visible. Guard Erin Phillips practiced this week for the first time in more than a month. Guard Jeanette Pohlen continues to progress in her rehabilitation though isn�t expected to return until August.
� When Connecticut visits The Fieldhouse on Saturday again, two familiar faces will return to Indianapolis. Connecticut coach Anne Donovan was the Fever�s coach during its 2000 expansion season, guiding the fledgling Fever to a 9-23 mark in its first season. Current Fever assistant coach Stephanie White was one of the stars on that first team. Joining Donovan is rookie guard Kelly Faris, a UConn grad who led local Heritage Christian to four consecutive IHSAA 2A girls basketball crowns here in Indiana. The first three of those titles were won on the hardwood at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
� A third straight win would establish Indiana with the third-longest current win streak in the WNBA � Atlanta has won six straight, Phoenix five. Los Angeles also owns a two-game win streak.
� With starts in each of the Fever�s past five games, Karima Christmas is one player making the most of her current opportunity. She has posted at least nine points in all five starts, with double-figure scoring in each of the last three.
� Jessica Breland has earned a significant jump in playing time over the past five games, including her first career start in the WNBA during a loss at Atlanta. Her 10-point, 10-rebound performance against Seattle marked the first double-double of her career, with career highs in each category
Probable Starters
Fever: F - Tamika Catchings, C - Erlana Larkins, G - Karima Christma, G - Shavonte Zellous, G - Briann January
Sun: F - Kalana Greene, F - Kelsey Griffin, C - Tina Charles, G - Iziane Castro Marques, G - Allison Hightower
Last Meeting
Tina Charles racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Connecticut Sun to a 73-61 victory over the Indiana Fever in WNBA action Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Fever hit just 34.3 percent of its field goal attempts and mustering a mere nine fourth-quarter points. Shavonte Zellous led the Fever with 14 points, hitting 5-of-15 from the floor. Tamika Catchings scored 11 on 3-of-15 shooting. The Fever opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run, cutting the Sun's lead to 60-59. However, just as quickly, the Fever then missed eight straight field-goal attempts. Reserve Karima Christmas led Indiana with a career-high eight rebounds.
Last Games
Fever vs. Storm: Tamika Catchings scored 18 points and the defending champion Indiana Fever pulled away in the fourth quarter and beat the Seattle Storm 71-63 on Sunday night. Shavonte Zellous had 14 points, Karima Christmas scored 12 and Jessica Breland added career-highs of 10 points and 10 rebounds to help the Fever win its second straight. The Fever picked up its defense in the final period and limited the Storm to 36.4 percent shooting from the field. Indiana won the rebounding contest 34-22, including 12 on the offensive end. They also went 18 for 18 on free throws, a franchise-best.
Sun vs. Shock: The Connecticut Sun's four-game losing streak ended Tuesday night with contributions throughout an injury-depleted roster. Four players scored in double figures and the Sun earned an 88-69 win over Tulsa, sending the Shock to their fourth straight loss. Allison Hightower scored 18 points and had six assists and Tina Charles added 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Sun. Iziane Castro Marques scored 15 points and Kalana Greene added 14 on 5-for-5 shooting. The Sun shot 51 percent overall, including 8 for 14 from 3-point range.
Series
Indiana trails the all-time regular-season series with Connecticut, 30-19, including three losses in four games in 2012. Connecticut has won five of the past six regular-season meetings between the teams, though the Fever has won three of the past five at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Sun is the only team in the WNBA with a winning record on Indiana�s home floor (14-11). In the playoffs, Indiana has captured two of three series with Connecticut, including the East Finals in 2012. Indiana also won a conference semifinal series over the Sun in 2007, which featured four overtime periods in three games. The clubs are tied 4-4 in postseason play with the Fever owning a 3-1 mark on its home floor.