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The Portland Fire return home from a four-game road trip to host the Dallas Wings in WNBA action tonight.
The Fire (11-15) edged the Wings (17-9) in their only previous meeting, an 84-83 thriller at the Moda Center on June 13th. All five Portland starters scored in double-figures in that game. Bridget Carleton, who will represent the Fire in the three-point contest at the WNBA All-Star festivities in Chicago this weekend, led the way with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting from behind the arc.
Dallas All-Star guard Paige Bueckers sat out that game and is questionable for the Wings in tonight’s contest after a collision with Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday. Bueckers avoided a concussion, but missed the Wings’ 99-98 overtime loss to the New York Liberty on Monday.
The Wings are 0-2 when Bueckers sits, but even if she is unable to go, they have plenty of firepower. Forward Jessica Shepard averages 14.8 points, 11.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists, earning her a starting role in the All-Star game. Arike Ogunbowale chips in 14.2 points per game and rookie Azzi Fudd adds 13.3 points per game on 38.8% three-point shooting.
The Fire will welcome back their starting center, formerly known as Megan Gustafson. She missed the past two games while getting married.
The game tips off at 7:00 PM Pacific and will be televised nationally on USA Network and CNBC. Can the Fire go into the All-Star break on a winning note? Discuss here and check back in post-game for our recap and analysis.
