Storm-Sparks Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Jun 18 2011 3:09PM

After suffering their first loss of the season, the Seattle Storm bounced back with their best defensive effort in almost two years during their last game.

The Los Angeles Sparks know first-hand how tenacious the Storm can be on the defensive end.

Looking to continue its recent dominance in the series, visiting Seattle tries for an eighth consecutive victory over Los Angeles on Sunday night.

The Storm (2-1), who struggled to slow down Minnesota during an 81-74 loss June 9, seemed to benefit from more than a week off and defeated Indiana 68-54 on Friday.

"(Friday) was a game that was the epitome or our team," point guard Sue Bird said. "We want everything to be based around our defense and start with our defense."

Seattle, which is allowing a league-low 68.7 points per game, held the Fever to 29.1 percent shooting and surrendered its lowest scoring output since beating San Antonio 66-53 on July 7, 2009.

"That was the biggest thing (Friday) was making sure our effort was there and sending a message," said forward Swin Cash, who scored a team-best 14 points. "We saw what happened in the Minnesota game, but we're going to get better as a team, and that was a great step in the right direction."

Tremendous defense played a big role in Seattle going 7-0 versus Los Angeles last season. After holding the Sparks (2-1) to an average of 67.8 points - 10.1 below Los Angeles' season mark - over five regular-season meetings, the Storm swept the Western Conference semifinals en route to winning the WNBA title.

"When you have a team full of stars such as them - Swin Cash, Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, Katie Smith - just to name a few - you have your hands full," said Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones.

Los Angeles, though, is coming off its most efficient offensive effort of the season and could prove more difficult to slow down this time around.

The Sparks shot 49.3 percent - including 13 of 28 (46.4 percent) from 3-point range - during a 98-84 victory over Phoenix on June 10. Tina Thompson had 21 points and nine rebounds while Candace Parker recorded 22 and eight, respectively.

Parker, who appeared in just 10 games in 2010 due to a left shoulder injury, played more than 37 minutes for the second time in three contests this year.

"I think once the games get a little closer (together), I don't think that's necessarily going to be the plan," said Parker, averaging 21.0 points and 10.5 rebounds over her last two regular-season home meetings with Seattle. "I'll do whatever the coach wants me to do, but I don't see being able to sustain this."

Hoffman leads Sparks to 74-50 win over Storm

Posted Jun 19 2011 10:58PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) Reserve forward Ebony Hoffman scored 12 points to lead a balanced offense as the Los Angeles Sparks beat defending champion Seattle 74-50 on Sunday night, snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Storm.

Kristi Toliver scored 11 points and Candace Parker and rookie Jantel Lavender each added 10 for Los Angeles (3-1). The Sparks, who started 1-6 last season, had lost the last five regular season meetings with the Storm, and were swept in the playoffs last year.

Sue Bird scored 15 points to lead Seattle (2-2), which came in allowing a league-low 68.6 points per game. Reigning MPV Lauren Jackson was held to nine points on 3-for-14 shooting.

The Sparks led 39-25 at halftime and didn't let the Storm get closer than nine in the second half.

• Storm: --
• Sparks: --

• Storm: Cash, Willingham
• Sparks: Hoffman, Milton-Jones

• Lead Changes: 2
• Times Tied: 0

• Arena: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
• Officials: #17 Scott Twardoski, #8 Daryl Humphrey, #43 Brenda Pantoja
• Attendance: 9119
• Duration: 1:46