Sparks-Shock Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
Posted Aug 21 2011 12:39AM

The Tulsa Shock are closing in on the longest streak of futility in WNBA history. Some much-needed time off might help them avoid that dubious feat.

After getting a week to rest from their latest defeat, the Shock will try to avoid an 18th consecutive loss Sunday night during a visit from Candace Parker and the Los Angeles Sparks.

When it faces Los Angeles, Tulsa (1-22) will be on the court for the first time since an 82-54 loss to Western Conference leader Minnesota last Sunday.

That defeat tied the Shock for the longest losing streak in league history with the 2008 Atlanta Dream, who dropped the first 17 games in their inaugural season. It also was the 12th in a row since interim coach Teresa Edwards, a recent inductee into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, took over following Nolan Richardson's resignation July 9.

"It's just not a time to beat them up; it's not a time to be sad," Edwards said. "I've got to let them be who they are and try to just instill the most important things and be prepared for it game in and game out in hopes that I find a different tactic here to spark some growth."

Tulsa has suffered a pair of five-point losses to Los Angeles (10-15) during its lengthy slide, but Parker was out for both games while recovering from a right knee injury.

The Sparks were 5-10 without their star forward, but Ticha Penicheiro and Kristi Toliver made up for her absence in the matchups with the Shock. Penicheiro had a season-high 23 points in a 71-66 home win Aug. 9, and Toliver scored 25, including a key 3-pointer with 19.7 seconds left, during a 79-74 victory at Tulsa on July 15.

Los Angeles earned its first win since Parker's return Thursday against Eastern Conference-leading Indiana but couldn't get past another first-place club Saturday, falling 87-68 to Minnesota.

Parker had 18 points and eight rebounds against the Lynx, but only two other players scored in double figures and neither had more than 11 points.

"(Parker) had a couple of bunnies she missed that she doesn't miss if she's at full (strength)," coach Joe Bryant said. "She looked good, though. We'll take her at 80 percent."

The loss put Los Angeles three games behind San Antonio for the West's final playoff spot with nine remaining.

The Sparks have won all six meetings since the Shock moved from Detroit before the start of last season. Parker has not played in any of those games, having missed all of last season's matchups with an ailing left shoulder.

Tulsa and Los Angeles will meet again Friday at Staples Center.

Sparks rally, hand Shock record 18th straight loss

Posted Aug 21 2011 10:35PM

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Candace Parker's big second half sent the Tulsa Shock to the longest losing streak in WNBA history.

Parker scored 16 of her 23 points after halftime, and the Los Angeles Sparks ran off 16 straight points to overcome a 15-point, second-half deficit and hand the Shock their 18th consecutive loss, 73-67 on Sunday night.

The Atlanta Dream lost 17 in a row in their inaugural season of 2008.

``We weren't happy with the way we played in the first half,'' Parker said. ``I won't say it was jet lag, because we played with more energy in the second half. We just didn't play well. We need to come out with defensive intensity to match our intensity on offense.''

DeLisha Milton-Jones added 15 points and Kristi Toliver had 14 for the Sparks. WNBA career scoring leader Tina Thompson scored all of her eight points in the second half.

Parker attempted just six shots in the first half but heated up after intermission, driving to the lane with ease. The former Tennessee star combined with Thompson for 17 third-quarter points and keyed a 16-0 run that lasted into the final period.

``We needed this one,'' Thompson said. ``We haven't won too many on the road. I don't concern myself with that, but we needed this one to get going if we want to make the playoffs.''

For the first 22 minutes of the game, Tulsa took advantage of the jet-lagged Sparks, who played in Minnesota on Saturday and flew to Tulsa on Sunday, building a 39-24 lead with 7:01 to play in the third stanza.

The Shock shot 66.7 percent from the field in the first period and looked like anything but a 1-23 team.

Sheryl Swoopes and Jennifer Lacy combined to go 9 of 11 from the field in the first half, but neither was much of a factor after intermission. Swoopes finished with 17 points, her most since she scored 17 against Phoenix on June 11, 2008.

But the Sparks outscored the home team 38-20 over the final 17 minutes to post just their fourth road victory of the season.

• Sparks: --
• Shock: --

• Sparks: --
• Shock: Riley

• Lead Changes: 7
• Times Tied: 2

• Arena: BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
• Officials: #44 Felicia Grinter, #7 Clarke Stevens, #42 Roy Gulbeyan
• Attendance: 6012
• Duration: 2:04