ARLINGTON, Texas (Interstat) — The Dallas Wings will aim to extend their strong start to the season Thursday night when they host the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST. Dallas enters the matchup with a 7-3 record, having won six of its past seven games. The Wings are coming off a 104-96 victory at Los Angeles on Friday, a game in which guard Arike Ogunbowale scored 30 points and guard Paige Bueckers dished out 14 assists. The Wings’ success has been fueled by balanced scoring and the dominant play of forward Jessica Shepard. Shepard has been among the league’s most productive players in recent weeks. In the win over the Sparks, she logged 22 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. She recorded a triple-double on May 28 against Las Vegas with 22 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists, and posted another triple-double on May 20 at Chicago with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Over her past five games, Shepard is averaging 16.2 points and 13.0 rebounds. Phoenix, meanwhile, is 4-8 and looking to build momentum after snapping a seven-game losing streak. The Mercury won consecutive road games last week, beating Seattle 72-68 on Wednesday and Portland 78-72 on Friday. Forward Natasha Mack scored 16 points in the Portland victory, and guard Monique Akoa Makani added 11 points. Forward DeWanna Bonner is a key player for Phoenix. She played a significant role in the Portland win, recording 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 34 minutes. However, Bonner has been inconsistent this season. In a loss to Minnesota on June 1, she played just seven minutes and scored two points. Over her previous five games entering this week, she averaged 6.2 points on 26.7 percent shooting from the field. Thursday’s game will feature a contrast in styles. Dallas ranks among the league leaders in scoring offense, averaging 92.4 points per game. The Wings are also strong on the glass, with Shepard leading the way. Phoenix has struggled defensively, allowing 90.8 points per game this season. The Wings are projected to win by a comfortable margin. Interstat’s game simulator forecasts a final score of Dallas 95, Phoenix 81. The Mercury will look to Bonner and Mack to keep pace with Dallas’s high-powered attack. The Wings will rely on Shepard’s inside presence and the playmaking of Bueckers and Ogunbowale. Following this game, Phoenix returns home to host Los Angeles on Saturday. Dallas travels to Portland for a matchup Saturday.