Leslie scored 16 points, including a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:04 to play, as the Los Angeles Sparks completed their first season series sweep of the Houston Comets with a 56-52 victory.
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Sparks-Comets: Play |
A perennial All-Star, the 6-5 Leslie usually does most of her damage inside. This game was no exception as she also swept 13 boards and added a blocked shot.
But Leslie can also make the outside shot on occasion. She came in with 116 3-pointers in her 10-year career and added another to give the Sparks the lead for good at 51-48.
Former Spark Tamecka Dixon answered with a layup, but Mwadi Mabika split a pair of free throws and Temeka Johnson sank a jumper for a 54-50 bulge with 55 seconds to go.
After Houston's Michelle Snow made a layup, Leslie sank 1-of-2 foul shots. The Sparks hung on as All-Stars Dawn Staley and Sheryl Swoopes missed 3-pointers in the waning seconds.
Christi Thomas grabbed 12 rebounds off the bench for the Sparks, who held a 49-31 edge on the glass to overcome 35 percent (21-of-60) shooting.
Swoopes scored 15 points and now added 12 for the Comets (14-12), who shot just 29 percent (19-of-65).
Next Games: The Houston Comets host the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday, July 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET and the Los Angeles Sparks visit the San Antonio Silver Stars on Wednesday, July 26 at 8 p.m. ET.
