PHOENIX MERCURY Phoenix is looking for revenge after losing the WNBA title to Houston last season. The Mercury love to run and rely on strong guard play from veteran Michele Timms. Leading scorer Jennifer Gillom, who averaged 20.8 points a game, returns in even better shape than last year. But Phoenix will be without Michelle Griffiths, the team's third-leading scorer, who is in Australia awaiting the birth of her first child. Coach Cheryl Miller has said draft picks Edna Campbell and Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil will compete immediately for starting positions. Forward Davis-Wrightsil likely will take over the spot vacated by Griffiths, and Campbell should challenge Umeki Webb for the two-guard spot. Phoenix has one of the toughest early season schedules, playing nine of its first eleven games on the road. SI for Women's bottom line: Miller added more players who fit her up-tempo style, and the Mercury, a shoo-in for the No. 2 playoff spot, has inched closer to Houston. ROSTER No. 14 12 51 24 0 22 2 3 4 15 23 32 8 7 21 30 Name Marlies Askamp Edna Campbell Jenny Crouse C. Davis-Wrightsil Toni Foster Jennifer Gillom Michelle Griffiths Lisa Harrison Kristi Harrower Andrea Kuklova M. Lange-Harris Bridget Pettis Maria Stepanova Michele Timms Umeki Webb Amanda Wilson Pos. C G C F F F F F G G F G C G G F HT 6-5 5-8 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-0 5-5 6-0 6-6 5-9 6-8 5-7 5-10 6-0

SCHEDULE Jun. 12 -- at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Jun. 14 -- Sacramento, 10 p.m. Jun. 19 -- Cleveland, 10 p.m. Jun. 21 -- at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Jun. 22 -- at Washington, 7 p.m. Jun. 24 -- at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m. Jun. 26 -- at Detroit, 4 p.m. Jun. 28 -- at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 1 -- at New York, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 3 -- at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Jul. 7 -- Los Angeles, 10 p.m. Jul. 9 -- Houston, 8 p.m. Jul. 11 -- at Los Angeles, 4 p.m. Jul. 12 -- at Utah, 2 p.m. Jul. 17 -- Los Angeles, 4 p.m. Jul. 19 -- Houston, 8 p.m. Jul. 21 -- at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. Jul. 23 -- Orlando, 10 p.m. Jul. 25 -- Washington, 10 p.m. Jul. 27 -- Utah, 10 p.m. Jul. 29 -- Minnesota, 10 p.m. Jul. 31 -- at Houston, 4 p.m. Aug. 2 -- at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Aug. 6 -- New York, 9 p.m. Aug. 7 -- at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Aug. 9 -- Minnesota, 10 p.m. Aug. 11 -- Detroit, 10 p.m. Aug. 13 -- at Utah, 9 p.m. Aug. 15 -- Charlotte, 10 p.m. Aug. 17 -- Sacramento, 10 p.m. Aug. 18 -- at Houston, 8:30 p.m. Aug. 20 -- Utah, 10 p.m. Coach: Cheryl Miller (third season with Phoenix) Top returning players: F-C Jennifer Gillom (20.8 ppg), G Michele Timms (5.3 apg), G Bridget Pettis (11.3 ppg) Key newcomers: G Edna Campbell (ABL's Xplosion), F Clarissa Davis-Wright (ABL's Lasers) 1998 record and finish: 19-11, second in Western Arena: America West Arena Average home attendance: 13,765 Colors: Orange and yellow