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PHOENIX -- Katie Douglas hit a career-high six 3-pointers and finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the Indiana Fever's 90-83 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday night in a showdown between conference leaders.

The Fever, a WNBA-best 17-4, won their fifth straight to move 5½ games ahead of second-place Washington in the Eastern Conference.

Tamika Catchings added 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Jessica Moore had 17 points and eight rebounds for Indiana.

Diana Taurasi, playing in foul trouble in the second half, had 16 points for the Mercury (16-7). Cappie Pondexter added 12 points, five assists and three steals.

Storm 70, Liberty 69

SEATTLE -- Lauren Jackson had 21 points and nine rebounds for Seattle to help spoil New York interim coach Anne Donovan's return to Seattle.

Sue Bird added 12 points and six assists for the Storm (13-9). Janel McCarville led the Liberty (7-14) with 22 points, and Cathrine Kraayeveld had 16.

Donovan, 1-3 since taking over for the fired Pat Coyle on Aug. 1, spent five seasons in Seattle, leading the Storm to the 2004 WNBA title. Last year, she coached the U.S. women's team to the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics.

Sky 82, Dream 80

ATLANTA -- Erin Thorn had a season-high 20 points, and Chicago recovered after losing a 16-point lead to snap Atlanta's franchise-record winning streak at four games.

Candice Dupree added 17 points and 11 rebounds for Chicago (11-11). Ivory Latta led Atlanta (11-11) with 18 points, and Erika DeSouza had 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index