After a busy end to May and players fighting jet lag, the Indiana Fever have finally overcome a triumphant schedule to now win 3 in a row and 5 of their last six.
This team is the most experienced team in the WNBA. The majority of the players have been on this team as one unit for the past four years. No longer do they rely on Tamika Catchings‘ performance for a win. Different players have stepped up and willed this team to more victories. The Fever have gotten 30 or more points from their bench the last three games including 31 in Sunday’s win at Minnesota.
After starting 0-2, this team has now leaped in Eastern Conference standings to 5-3.
Fever GM Kelly Krauskopf pulled off a steal from Tulsa last week. She traded the Fever’s 2011 2nd round draft pick for Shavonte Zellous, the Detroit Shock’s 2009 first round pick. Zellous wasn’t happen with her situation in Tulsa (moved from Detroit) and the team wanted to go in a different direction.
Her shot struggled from the on set. On Saturday against New York, Zellous scored a game-high 23 points, going 10-12 from the free throw stripe. Getting to the charity stripe is one of Zellous’s best assets. Last year she trailed only Catchings for most free throws made.
Shavonte Zellous is a tremendous “steal” for Indiana. She can help out at either guard position. Right now the point guard position is a bit tender with Briann January suffering from a hamstring injury and Tully Bevilaqua spraining an ankle Saturday. Her shot certainly could use some improvement. However she makes up for it with speed, aggressiveness and passion.
Sunday, Indiana picked up their 3rd straight victory with a win at Minnesota. The Minnesota win came on the road, and on back-to-back games. Meanwhile the ladies won by 38 points, a franchise best.
“I was so impressed with how we played and the energy we had, especially playing back-to-back games,” said Coach Lin Dunn. “I thought our bench was crucial and I thought Tamika was just outstanding. This was one of her best games. She took control of things early in the game and everyone fed off her. It was a very complete, team win. I was thrilled by our effort and was very pleased that our whole lineup had double-digit minutes.”
Tamika Catchings paced the Fever with 27 points, six assists and two steals. She scored in double-figures for the 26th straight game dating to last season, to match the second-longest streak in franchise history.
This team is invested in defense. Led by Catchings and Bevilaqua, the Fever first focus on defending the ball and let everything else follow.
“The one credit I have to give our team is defense. For the past week, we have talked about defensive intensity.” Catchings believes they “have placed our focus on getting back that intensity.”
And that they did. Another superb effort and franchise record. The Fever are next in action on Friday at Connecticut.