Sparks-Mystics Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Aug 22 2011 4:00PM

The Los Angeles Sparks found themselves in a bit of trouble before battling back to defeat the WNBA's worst team their last time out.

Despite another favorable matchup, a similar lackluster effort likely isn't going to cut it if Los Angeles hopes to make a fourth consecutive postseason appearance.

Seeking back-to-back road wins for just the second time this season, the Sparks cap a three-game trip against the Washington Mystics, who hope to avoid a season-worst sixth consecutive loss Tuesday night.

Fifth-place Los Angeles (11-15), which is 2 1/2 games behind San Antonio for the Western Conference's fourth and final playoff spot, overcame a 15-point, second-half deficit to hand Tulsa a league-record 18th consecutive loss, 73-67 on Sunday.

"We needed this one,'' Tina 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."

Candace Parker, averaging a team-best 18.0 points, scored 16 of her game-high 23 points after halftime as the Sparks outscored the Shock 41-22 over the final two quarters.

"We weren't happy with the way we played in the first half," said Parker, who also had nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks. "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."

Los Angeles, 2-2 since Parker returned from a torn lateral meniscus in her right knee last Tuesday, is surely glad to have the 2008 league MVP around for this matchup. In her only appearance against Washington over the last two seasons, Parker totaled 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in an 81-75 win May 28, 2010.

With Parker sidelined, Los Angeles has dropped the two most recent meetings in this series - including an 89-85 overtime loss to the Mystics (5-20) on July 17.

Washington has dropped 10 of 12 since that victory, including five straight for the second time this season. The Mystics shot just 35.2 percent and committed 19 turnovers en route to suffering their most lopsided defeat of the season, 83-51 at Indiana on Sunday.

"They totally outplayed us," said Crystal Langhorne, who had 11 points. "We have lost games, but this one was bad. We need to play harder and not turn the ball over. Things weren't pretty."

Langhorne, whose 18.1 points per game rank fourth in the league, has averaged just 13.3 points while committing 4.3 turnovers per game in her last three contests. The All-Star forward, however, could get back on track against the Sparks.

Langhorne is averaging 25.5 points and 14.0 rebounds during Washington's modest two-game run versus Los Angeles.

The Mystics have lost 10 of 13 at home while the Sparks, who last won two straight on the road July 12-15, have dropped 10 of 14 as the visiting team.

Parker helps Sparks edge Mystics in OT

Posted Aug 23 2011 11:18PM

WASHINGTON (AP) On a night when it would have been understandable if her game was off, Candace Parker proved to be the difference maker.

Parker scored 19 points, including the go-ahead basket with 38.9 seconds remaining in overtime, to help the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Washington Mystics 86-82 on Tuesday night.

Tina Thompson finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Sparks (12-15), winners of two straight and three of five since Parker returned from a torn lateral meniscus in her right knee on August 16.

``We started off very well and then we didn't play well,'' said Parker, who scored 14 points in the second half and also finished with nine rebounds and five assists. ``It was a game of lead changes and runs. We were able to come out on top. It was an ugly game, very ugly.''

The Sparks scored the game's first seven points and led 53-41 in the third quarter, only to watch the Mystics rally. The lead changed six times in the extra session, the final time coming when Parker slithered through the defense for a layup to put the Sparks ahead 81-80.

``When the game is tight, (Parker) takes it upon herself to put the team on her shoulders and score,'' said Mystics forward Nicky Anosike, Parker's teammate at the University of Tennessee. ``I wasn't surprised by that, but that's when you really have to step up the D.''

Matee Ajavon missed a layup on the Mystics next possession before Parker and Thompson combined to sink five of six free throws to seal the victory. The Sparks finished 18 of 26 from the free throw line.

``We started making some free throws down the stretch and got some big defensive stops a couple time, that was big,'' said Sparks coach Joe Bryant.

Crystal Langhorne scored 28 points and Ajavon added 14 for the Mystics (5-21), who have lost a season-high six straight games.

Parker played the game after learning earlier on Tuesday that her college coach Pat Summitt had been diagnosed with early onset dementia.

``We just have mad love for coach Summitt and we're a family, we're going to have to deal with it,'' said a stoic Parker. ``I don't think she is going to let it affect her. I think she is going to continue on coaching as long as she can. She came out with (the news) and now we're going to move forward.''

Anosike, who scored five points in 19 minutes, was somber in the losing locker room. She said the two players learned of the news this morning and then spoke after the game.

``I think we're both a little messed up by it,'' Anosike said.

Bryant, unaware of Summitt's condition until asked by a reporter to comment about Parker's performance under the circumstances, said the All-Star forward is rounding back into shape after missing 15 games.

``No matter how much training you do or therapy you do, it's still different than running up and down the court,'' Bryant said. ``She is starting to get her legs under her and her wind. She's a special player.''

Parker scored 10 consecutive points, seven coming after halftime, and the Sparks opened the second half with a 12-4 run for their largest lead of the game. The Mystics broke off a 13-2 spurt to go up 65-64 with 5:16 remaining.

Tied at 71 entering the final minute of regulation, both sides committed turnovers and Ticha Penicheiro missed a potential game-winning jumper.

The Mystics defeated the Sparks in Los Angeles 89-85 on July 17, rallying with a 24-point comeback in the second half. Since then the losses have mounted - 11 in 13 games.

``It's been the same story pretty much all season, not pulling out games toward the end,'' Anosike said. ``I keep saying we're going to turn it around, but its either now or never.''

• Sparks: --
• Mystics: --

• Sparks: --
• Mystics: --

• Lead Changes: 10
• Times Tied: 6

• Arena: Verizon Center, Washington, DC
• Officials: #38 Lamont Simpson, #53 Jeff Smith, #27 Penny Davis
• Attendance: 8441
• Duration: 2:13