SB Nation Arizona - 123-91 Rout Of Tulsa Not That Shocking, But Necessaryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2010-07-22T19:16:58-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13469532010-07-22T19:16:58-07:002010-07-22T19:16:58-07:00Mercury Grab 'Must Win', Crush Shock 123-91
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<p>Tulsa, OK (Sports Network) – Diana Taurasi scored 26 points to lead all scorers, and the Phoenix Mercury routed the Tulsa Shock, 123-91, at the <span class="caps">BOK</span> Center.</p>
<p>Candice Dupree added 23 points for the Mercury, who stand in second place in the Western Conference at 9-12, but are still 10 games behind first-place Seattle. Ketia Swanier contributed 17 points off the bench, while Tangela Smith had 13 in the win.</p>
<p>DeWanna Bonner recorded 11 points, and Penny Taylor 10 for Phoenix, which shot 56.8 percent from the field.</p>
<p>Kara Braxton scored 18 points to lead the Shock, who have lost three in a row and have the league’s worst record at 4-18. Shanna Crossley added 12 points in defeat.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2010/7/22/1583466/mercury-grab-must-win-crush-shockJustin Burning2010-07-22T14:06:57-07:002010-07-22T14:06:57-07:00Mercury Visit Tulsa, Don't Be Shocked By Bad Puns
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<p>The Phoenix Mercury are 10 1/2 games out of 1st place in the Western Conference and only 4 1/2 games out of last place and 1/2 game ahead of third place Minnesota. With the only 14 games left in the regular season, the goal is clear: secure second seed and home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.</p>
<p>Every game matters now and just because the Mercury have already beat the Tulsa Shock four times this season doesn't make tonight's match-up a forgone conclusion. Fortunately, the Mercury are well-rested since their last game five days ago against this same team.</p>
<p>Rest and nagging injuries have hurt the Mercury this season, given the lack of depth beyond the top six players in the rotation. This was the last big scheduled break of the season. From here on in it's 14 games in 27 days with no more than two days off in a row and 9 of 14 on the road. That makes this a must win game - it only gets harder from here.</p>
<p>Tulsa lacks star power, a consistent scoring option, an effective facilitator and a defensive scheme that's effective against the large number of high-quality ball handlers the Mercury employ. But they play hard and are looking like they are finally buying into what Nolan Richardson is preaching.</p>
<p>Visit the game thread at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2010/7/22/1582821/game-thread-preview-mercury-rising">Swish Appeal</a>.</p>
<p><i>The game starts at 5:00 p.m. AZT, but won't be on WNBA Live Access due to ESPN blackout restrictions, which prevent any WNBA to be streamed while another game is being broadcast on the Worldwide Leader in Sports Rights Restrictions.</i></p>
<p><i>The game might be streamed on ESPN 3.</i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2010/7/22/2318242/mercury-visit-tulsa-dont-be-shocked-by-bad-punsSeth Pollack