Storm (2-2) vs. Connecticut Sun (3-1)

KeyArena | Seattle, Wash.

June 16, 2015 | 7 p.m.

Broadcast: Live Access, Justice

2014 vs. Connecticut: 0-2

Last meeting: L 86-63 (July 15, 2014)

Leading scorer: Camille Little 14

Seattle used a solid second half defensive performance on Sunday to pick up the win against Los Angeles and now will have a chance to make it two straight when the Storm host Connecticut on Tuesday.

The game on Tuesday begins a stretch of four of six at KeyArena after spending the first three of four on the road.

WHO TO WATCH: Jewell Loyd

The top overall pick scored 10 points on Sunday at Staples Center in front of her mentor Kobe Bryant, who was sitting courtside for the Sparks’ home opener. It was the first double digit performance of her young career and may have gained a bit of confidence with the outing.

BISHOP’S HOLLYWOOD PERFORMANCE

Abby Bishop scored a career-high 18 points on 7-for-12 from the field, including 4-for-9 from three, to lift the Storm to the 60-54 win over the Sparks and spoil LA’s home opener. She scored eight of her game-high total in the third quarter.

‘THE BENCH MOB’

The bench continues to impress in the early part of the season and has been a difference maker through the first four games. In the Storm’s victory over Los Angeles on Opening Night, the bench scored 40 points and was led by Renee Montgomery with 19. They followed up that performance with 29 more points against Tulsa and 30 against Minnesota. The Storm’s second unit is now averaging 30.0 points per game.

BIRD FLYING UP THE CHARTS

Sue Bird has been one of the best players in the WNBA since arriving in Seattle in 2002 and she is now climbing her way into the upper ranks of the league’s all-time scoring list. Entering Sunday’s action, Bird has 4,841 career points and is two points ahead New York’s Swin Cash for 14th on the all-time list. She is also closing in on Sheryl Swoopes for 13th on the list and trails the great by 34 points.

FAMILIAR FACES

Connecticut coming in means the return of Camille Little and Shekinna Stricklen who were sent to the Sun in the trade for Renee Montgomery and the No. 3 and 15 overall picks. Little, who scored 2,367 points in her seven seasons in Seattle, was tied with Crystal Langhorne for the team lead in points with 12.9 per game last season and is now averaging 6.5 points through her first four games for Connecticut. Stricklen, who played her first three seasons for the Storm, remains a strong player off the bench, averaging 6.3 points per game.

SCOUTING CONNECTICUT

Since losing their season opener to Washington, the Sun has won three straight coming into Tuesday and had an impressive performance in its 82-64 win over Atlanta on Sunday. They outscored Atlanta 25-9 in the fourth quarter to blow the game open and shot 57 percent from the field. Connecticut had four players in double figures and were led by Shekinna Stricklen, who had 18 points in 17 minutes off the bench on 7-for-9 shooting, which included going 4-for-6 from three.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Sticking to defensive assignments will be a critical part of bearing Connecticut. With four players averaging double figure points, the scoring could come from anywhere and because of this staying home will be important. The same could be said for the Storm. Through the first four games, the team has had three different leading scorers. Identifying the hot hand and feeding it will help Seattle to towards picking up a win.