Two home wins last night. In Indy, the historically low-scoring Fever racked up 83 points, 50 in the second half, to beat the shorthanded Merc. One thing that hasn't changed about this year's Fever: they get to the line. Catchings connected on as many free throws as the entire Phoenix team; the Fever as a whole made 27 of 34. "Catchings absolutely steamrolled us," coach Graf admits. Catch herself says she finally has some help.

In Michigan, Cheryl Ford hoovered up rebounds as the Shock came back to beat the Silver Stars. Both teams finished the night without a head coach. Dan Hughes got himself ejected at the end of the first half; with five minutes left in the second, Bill Laimbeer let his assistants take over. Rick Mahorn gave a mysteriously effective motivational speech; Stinson then hit two threes, Detroit's defense clamped down, and the Shock scored the last 16 points.

Only in Detroit, Houston and Indiana have crowds this year seen home teams win reg-season games. Fever fans note changes to their TV and radio lineup.