CLEVELAND -- This was supposed to be a much-improved Utah Starzz team in 1999. But as of today, the Starzz, at 5-12, are in the exact same position they were after 17 games in 1998.
The good news is that, at least last year, the Starzz moved to 6-12.And that's what they will try to do again tonight at 5 MDT in Gund Arena when the last-place team in the WNBA's Western Conference tests the last-place team in the Eastern Conference, Cleveland, which hosted Detroit Friday night in Gund.
Utah is also attempting to avoid setting a team record for consecutive losses. It has lost six straight, matching the franchise record already hit three times prior -- twice in '98 and once in '97. A loss tonight sends Utah into uncharted, unwanted territory.
Tonight is the completion of the Starzz's four-game road trip, a trip that seemed at the beginning to have four winnable games. Now, this is the only one left, and it, too, looks winnable -- if the Starzz play decently.
Having Thursday and Friday to practice and rest should give Utah a slight edge, since the Rockers played last night and had little time to focus on Starzz traits.
Utah bombed Cleveland 83-68 on July 2 in the Delta Center to kick off its franchise-record three-game win streak. It was Utah's first-ever win over Cleveland. Margo Dydek scored 20 points, and Natalie Williams had 12 rebounds.
And now, Cleveland is without its point guard, Suzie McConnell-Serio, out for at least a month with a fractured third metatarsal in her left foot, injured in practice earlier this week.
The Rockers beat the Washington Mystics 85-68 Wednesday in their first game without McConnell-Serio. It was their first road win of the season.
Utah coach Fred Williams tried starting LaTonya Johnson at forward Wednesday and bringing Elena Baranova off the bench. It was Johnson's third start of the season and was done to get quicker defense into the game. Baranova did not score or rebound in 18 minutes off the bench. Johnson had eight points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Williams said he will probably return Baranova for tonight's game.
Williams noted the similarities between the Starzz and Rockers in '99, being that both are bottom-feeders. "Cleveland could really explode any time now -- like us," he said.
Following tonight's game, Utah returns to the Delta Center for one appearance only on Monday when Washington visits. The Cleveland/Washington duo represents the bottom of the East. From there, Utah heads to Phoenix Tuesday and Los Angeles July 30.