Preview: The Lynx (7-13) have fallen to fourth place in the West after back-to-back two-point losses to Seattle and San Antonio at home. Defending WNBA champion Phoenix (9-12) has won four of its past five games. On Thursday, the Mercury scored a WNBA-record 67 in the first half in a 123-91 victory at Tulsa.
Players to watch: Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi is averaging a league-high 23.4 points and has scored 30 points or more six times. Candice Dupree, a 6-2 forward for the Mercury, averages 16 points and is shooting 65.3 percent from the field, best in the WNBA. ... Lynx center Nicky Anosike (15 points, 10 rebounds) had her second double-double of the season Thursday.
Numbers: Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen needs four points to reach 2,500 for her seven-year career. ... Mercury center Tangela Smith should set the league record for most games played next month. In 13 seasons, Smith has appeared in 402 games, leaving her nine away from the mark.
ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ
