Certainly, the oppositions between Seattle and Los Angeles reserve unexpected scenarios! Ten days ago, the Sparks had to go through two extensions to finally win 108-106. At this time, the duel once again held all its promises and the final was still incredible with a “comeback” of madness which allowed Los Angeles to win 94-91!
Despite this short setback (one more …), the Storm can console itself with the emergence of new living forces, between an untenable Brittney Sykes with its 27 points and 4 interceptions and one Dominique Malonga Who confirmed with 20 points and 11 rebounds, even if the French rookie of the Storm suffered at the end against the heroine of the match, Dearica Hamby (19 points and 7 rebounds).
Seattle did everything to try to avoid a new thriller taking 16 lengths in advance at the end of a first dominated quarter from A to Z and concluded with a 3-point of Dominique Malonga (14-26). But that was without counting on the tenacity of these Sparks, now boosted by the return of Cameron Brink (14 points, 5 rebounds in 11 minutes!) And a Kelsey Plum (20 points) which delighted by feeding a 15-2 with three assists and and three baskets including a 3-point to replace his team in mind (34-31)!
Good and less good for Dominique Malonga
The debates were then more balanced, and even if Brittney Sykes and Dominique Malonga assured the scoring, Los Angeles made his collective speak to stay in the lead until the end of the third quarter when Julie Vanloo and Cameron Brink delighted on two 3-point arrows (68-63). In turn, Seattle replied, going back to the buzzer of the period on a flash counterattack, then aligning a 12-2 marked by two 3-point baskets from the untenable Brittney Sykes!
At 80-87, the mission was damn complicated for the Sparks, who then took advantage of two baskets of Azura Stevens and a fault of Dominique Malonga generously whistled at Dearica Hamby to equalize at 87-87 then pass in front thanks to two throws from Kelsey Plum (89-87) after a fault by Brittney Sykes. The latter managed to be forgiven for the first time, then a second after a new basket of Dearica Hamby, turning Azura Stevens in Bourrique thanks to her feints to equalize at 91-91.
The Storm is not “clutch”
On the last basket of the match on the other hand there is no doubt, Dominique Malonga has failed Hamby who managed to finish near the circle to win a 2+1 in the general euphoria (94-91). This time, with 5 seconds remaining to play, the Storm could not return, especially after the loss of Skylar Diggins ball on the last delivery, thus offering the victory to the Sparks on the wire, 94 to 91.
Incredible but true, Seattle is now five setbacks immediately by four points or less! Not the best way to prepare a double-coming confrontation in the face of the rough Atlanta formation. For his part, Los Angeles approaches a balance sheet. To get there, you will have to beat the New York Liberty tomorrow, still at home.
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.