Bird paves way in Storm victory

PHOENIX – Sue Bird had 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals as the Seattle Storm held off the Phoenix Mercury 83-77 on Tuesday night.

Camille Little added 15 points and five rebounds for Seattle (9-7), winner of two straight after a three-game skid.

Diana Taurasi scored 26 points and added four assists for Phoenix (10-5), which has lost two straight after winning six in a row.

Candice Dupree and DeWanna Bonner each had 10 points for the Mercury.

Phoenix went on a 17-6 run to get within a point with 1 minute remaining, but Little took the ball away from Taurasi and made a breakaway layup with 24 seconds left to help secure the win.

Taurasi missed the second of two free throws, leaving the Mercury down 79-77 with 20 seconds remaining.

Bird slipped on the subsequent possession and was forced into a jump ball. Bonner won the tip, but Tanisha Wright got possession for Seattle and made two free throws after being fouled by Temeka Johnson with 14 seconds left.

Belinda Snell hit two 3-pointers during a 14-0 run in the third quarter that gave Seattle a 63-52 advantage with 1:21 left.

Taurasi scored 13 points and had three steals in the first half as the Mercury took a 43-40 lead at the break. Bird had 10 points, five assists and three steals in the first half to help keep Seattle close after the Storm trailed by as much as 11.

Phoenix missed nine of its first 13 shots in the third quarter and made four key turnovers that turned into seven Storm points.

Seattle’s Swin Cash, named the most valuable player of Saturday’s All-Star game, was held to six points on 3-for-13 shooting but grabbed eight rebounds.