Sparks Shut Down Storm At Staples

 After playoff fever has passed at Staples Center, there was one Los Angeles team that continued that playoff type momentum. The L.A. Sparks looked to continue their undefeated ways against their opponent from days prior the Seattle Storm. Also this first time former Spark now Storm forward Tina Thompson returned to Staples Center.

The Sparks came out focused from the opening tip, and never trailed in the game. After a solid first quarter, the second quarter saw a momentum shift from the Sparks to the Storm, as the Storm created and converted on second chance opportunities around the basket. Sparks looked lethargic until that final minute, when Candace Parker came up with a huge block n Storm's Camille Little that not energized her team, but the crowd as well. At the half, the Sparks lead 37-33 over the Storm.

In the third quarter Seattle continued from where the left off in the second quarter, when Sue Bird hit a huge three pointer, to bring the Storm within one point.
But the sharp shooter Candace Parker refused to allow the Storm a chance to think about taking the lead, hitting a timely jumper putting the Sparks back by three points.

With the combo of Ann Wauters and Tina Thompson who had a significant third quarter, the Storm never got any closer than five points. Parker and Kristi Toliver's immaculate shooting blew the game wide open, especially during the final minute of the third quarter. After Shekinna Stricklen missed the shot Parker brought the ball up and passed it to Toliver for a 3-pointer. After another defensive stop the Sparks got that ball, and Parker sinked a 3 pointer to end the quarter.
The Sparks defense was superb in the third quarter, capitalizing on missed shots, and turnovers by the Storm.

The fourth quarter the Sparks continued the intense defense, while balancing their supreme offensive attack in the first few seconds Alana Beard scored on an uncontested driving layup to extend the lead 62-47. The Sparks maintained a double digit lead throughout the quarter and Toliver sealed the deal with two key 3 pointers within the final five minutes.
After an April Sykes missed three pointer, Beard grabbed the rebound and dribbled the ball until clock ran down. Sparks grab the victory over the Storm 74-61, as "I Love L.A." blasted over the Staples Center sound system, while the joyful home crowd cheered.

Kristi Toliver about the victory, "We didn't dig ourselves a hole today. I felt like we controlled the game the entire way. We're making progress. We're making steps. We're building forward. We're getting wins and still making mistakes and learning."

"We've done a good job with our pressure, our guard have a great amount of confidence out there. That block is what we hope our identity will be", Candace Parker spoke about that huge second quarter block. Parker had a double-double, 21 points and 10 rebounds.

The Sparks held the Storm to 38.6 percent shooting from the field and forced 19 turnovers.
Ann Wauters led the Storm with 15 points, Tina Thompson had 13 points, and Sue Bird has a career low 5 points.

Sue Bird described what happened in the loss, "I think it's maybe us continuing to try to get more familiar with each other. You have to give credit to L.A. They, once again, pressured us and probably caused some of those turnovers."

The Storm fall to 0-2, while the Sparks are 2-0 and now go on the road to face the World Champion Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury.