LOS ANGELES -- The Sparks did not fold.
And it looked dreary early. The Sparks were down, 24-8, in the first quarter. And then they went on a stampede to take the lead in the first half. Dearica Hamby would make the deadlock-breaking lay-up plus the foul with 5.6 seconds left. And then in the end, the Sparks literally stole the win against the Storm, 94-91, after Julie Allemand was able to tip the ball away in the final possession.
It was a chess battle through and through. Sparks coach Lynne Roberts talked about it after the game.
Coach talks adjustments. Q by @djtriceytrice pic.twitter.com/n6IIRlvLDM
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"Yeah, I mean, that's what it is, right? The ability to adjust," Coach Roberts said. "I think (Brittney Sykes) gives them some serious firepower off the dribble, changes things. And then (Dominique Malonga) is so hard to guard. She's just so big and athletic. So trying to figure out but I think when they go really big, we kind of went a little smaller with (Rickea Jackson) at the four. As I always say, the knife cuts both ways. They've got to defend us.
"So it was kind of a battle of wills," Roberts continued "It was like the last time we played and it was back and forth. We have some great length too, but we're banged up and tired. So I think subbing a little more with that in mind, too. But Seattle's a good team and they've got a lot of powerful vets in that roster. So I couldn't be more proud of the team."
It was the Sparks' second game of a back-to-back. There was no doubt they were fatigued but the Sparks had enough to take the win.
"Yes, I'm tired, too and I haven't played a minute," Coach Roberts cracked.
The bench came through for the Sparks with 26 total points.
Coach talks about the bench play. pic.twitter.com/aAYhO0T2yg
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"I thought the bench was great. They brought in a ton of energy in that first half," Coach Roberts said. "(Julie Vanloo) got it going. (Rae Burrell) is just... she was really, really good. She just brings a spark and then what a luxury to bring in somebody like Cam Brink. She's still getting back to fully cleared but impactful minutes. Like (Kelsey Plum) said, to go 5 for 6, that's a talented player right there. So, loved our bench tonight, and 15 shot attempts is great. That's what we want; we want that balance."
And Plum gave Julie Allemand credit about keeping her poise.
Kelsey talks about the trust on the team. And she gives credit to Julie Allemand. pic.twitter.com/sFogBzsCe3
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"I think the biggest story that no one's talking about is Julie, you know, there's a big difference between, I don't know our record, with Julie going to Eurobasket, which I was like, booooooooo," Plum said. "And then Julie back, right, and it just... it helps me personally a ton, like selfishly. I was like, please don't go, because she takes so much pressure off me. She runs pick and roll, her pace is unbelievable, she reads things super well, and Julie doesn't get a lot of credit for her defense, her intensity, her competitiveness, she makes big plays.
"If you look back at our wins, especially down the stretch, like Julie's making big plays," Plum continued. "So I have a ton of faith in everyone, but especially when the person that's handling from the top is poised and centered that brings everyone, you know, just like calm. So that last play, like Coach said, it blows up, Julie just comes off the screen, hits (Dearica Hamby) for a pocket pass, like, that's a major luxury, so anyways, that's like something that we don't talk about enough, you know?"
The Sparks were down, 87-80, with under three minutes. Then Los Angeles rang it up with nine straight points. Hamby would later make the tiebreaking lay-up to put them up, 91-89. After Sykes countered with her own bucket, Hamby got that lay-up and the foul from Malonga with 5.6 secs left to take the lead. Allemand would then break up the final play and give the Sparks the win.
The Sparks' shooting was also back as they made a season-high 14 threes. The Storm sank nine from behind the arc.
Plum would lead the team with 20-6-7. Hamby scored 19 while Azurá Stevens put in 15. Brink came off the bench to score 14 points in under 11 minutes. For the Storm, Sykes started the game and led the team in scoring with 27 points. Malonga had a monster game with 20 points and 11 boards. She is going to be terrifying in the future.
It doesn't stop for the Sparks as they face the New York Liberty at home on Tuesday. But they are now 15-16 and they have a chance to go to .500 with a win.
