Key observations from win over Lynx

The champion Los Angeles Sparks earned a key win over the top-ranked Minnesota Lynx Sunday afternoon, 78 to 67. The Sparks won the third and final game of their regular season matchups and have two more games left at home before the start of the playoffs.

Here are key observations from the game:

A little Home-Cookin’

Los Angeles has been strong throughout the season playing at Staples Center. Their play at home is more aggressive and energetic with the home crowd behind them.

The Sparks have only lost one game at home this season, a mid-week, mid-day matchup versus the Chicago Sky. Games are typically held in the evenings or weekends so the odd scheduling of the game could have played a role.

On Sunday, they continued their strong play at Staples Center, holding the Lynx for most of the game. Minnesota’s only lead came at the beginning of the game when they went up 6-0 but the Sparks stormed back scoring 22 of the next 29 points and led for the rest of the game. The win makes it five in a row for Los Angeles as they head into the weekend for their final two games of the regular season before playoffs.

No-No Maya Moore

Anyone who follows the Sparks and the WNBA knows former league MVP Maya Moore is a handful on the court. Moore is a relentless scorer averaging almost 17 points a game but on Sunday, the Sparks stout defense held her to 4 for 11 from the field, only allowing 10 points from the All-Star guard. She was kept in check with the help of Los Angeles’ own standout guard, Alana Beard, who had three steals and two blocks in the game.

So You Think You Candace

Sparks MVP, Candace Parker, has led the way for the Sparks this season and was recently named Player of the Week for the fourth time this season. She showed up for the matchup against the Lynx, finishing with a double-double, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 boards while going 3 for 6 from the 3-point line. Her buckets got the home crowd going in front of the largest game attendance of the year with more than 11,000 people coming to Staples Center.

 

The Los Angeles Sparks only have two regular season home games left before playoffs start. For tickets, give us a call at 1.844.Go.Sparks or Live Chat with us by click on the Chat icon found on the Sparks website!