The Chicago Sky finished the WNBA regular season with a 95-88 win over the Dallas Wings. The Sky finished in first place In the Eastern Conference.
The Sky had lost four consecutive games and six of their last seven. During that skid, guard Diamond DeShields (personal reasons) and forward Azura Stevens (knee injury) left the team. The Sky also acquired forward Stephanie Mavunga from the Indiana Fever for center Jantel Lavender.
Despite their Eastern Conference first place finish, the Sky is seeded sixth for the WNBA playoffs, as conference standings do not figure into the equation. At 12-10, the Sky are ranked ahead of the Connecticut Sun (10-12) and the Washington Mystics (9-13). This sets up the first round single-elimination games tonight featuring the Sky facing the Sun and the Mystics battling the Phoenix Mercury (13-9).
In the media session on Monday, Coach James Wade, forward Cheyenne Parker and guars Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley were upbeat and stressed the team simply had to play to their capabilities. While that is expected talk for a playoff team, it isn't merely lip service. Prior to their late season slide, the Sky was riding high at 11-4. They were battling for the top spot in the WNBA and were considered to be a real threat to the championship.
The Sky outscored the Sun 1,908 to 1,768. The Sky shot better from the field (49.1%-42.7%) and from 3 point territory (35.1%-31.2%). The Sun had an edge in steals (12.9-10.3) and rebounds (49.4-46.3), while the Sky led in assists (29.6-25.2). Overall. The Sky head into the game as 3.5 point favorites. I am predicting a Sky win 82-79.
Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league and the playoffs. Check back here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more coverage.
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