Silver Stars-Sparks Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Sep 05 2011 1:23PM

With three teams having already secured playoff berths in the Western Conference, there remains but one left to claim.

The San Antonio Silver Stars can secure that fourth and final spot with a win over the Los Angeles Sparks, who look to avoid elimination during Tuesday night's crucial matchup at Staples Center.

San Antonio (15-16), which is two games ahead of fifth-place Los Angeles (13-18) in the West, is on the verge of locking up its fifth consecutive playoff appearance.

"We've got to take care of our own business," six-time All-Star Becky Hammon said. "...We don't want to have someone lose for us to get in, we wanna get there because we're playing well at the end of the year."

The Silver Stars, however, suffered their seventh loss in nine games Saturday, falling 70-60 to Seattle despite a game-high 22 points from forward Sophia Young. Coach Dan Hughes' team was outrebounded 40-21 - an issue Hammon knows needs to be addressed going forward.

"It's very obvious that when we don't rebound, we don't win," said Hammon. "It can't just be the bigs, it's got to be the guards, it's gotta be everybody getting down in there and helping out."

San Antonio's most recent defeat left the door open for the Sparks, who can move within one game of the Silver Stars with a victory. A loss however, would eliminate Los Angeles from playoff contention.

After scoring 27 points in last Tuesday's 68-62 victory over the Storm, Candace Parker recorded 32 on 13-of-25 shooting - but her season high wasn't enough in Saturday's 93-77 loss defeat to Phoenix. Kristi Toliver also came up big, scoring 23 points while the rest of the team was held to a combined 22.

"No telling what is going to happen," said coach Joe Bryant, whose team was outrebounded 46-27 in losing for the third time in four games. "We have to play it out. That's what I told the women. Make sure to keep our heads up high. It's not over until it's over."

The Sparks have dropped two of three meetings with the Silver Stars this year and will likely need to slow down Hammon if they hope to even the season series.

Hammon, who ranks 10th in the league with 15.3 points per game, has averaged 24.0 during San Antonio's two wins versus Los Angeles. The Sparks, however, prevailed 84-74 on July 12 while holding Hammon to five points on 2-of-14 shooting.

Hammon has scored a combined four points while making just 2 of 18 shots during her last two road games. San Antonio has lost three straight and six of seven as the visiting team.

Los Angeles has won four of six at home, where it closes out its season with two favorable matchups against Tulsa and Chicago on Friday and Saturday.

The Silver Stars host Washington on Saturday before concluding their schedule at the Shock on Sunday.

Hammon scores 37 to lift Silver Spurs, 82-65

Posted Sep 07 2011 1:53AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) Becky Hammon scored 17 of her season-high 37 points in the fourth quarter and the San Antonio Silver Stars beat the Los Angeles Sparks 82-65 on Tuesday to clinch the West's final playoff berth.

Hammon had 26 of her points after halftime. She shot 14 of 19 overall with four 3-pointers. Tully Bevilaqua added 11 points as San Antonio made the playoffs for the fifth straight year.

``To get into the playoffs, it's quite an accomplishment,'' Hammon said. ``The West is brutal.''

After Tina Thompson pulled the Sparks within 61-58, the Silver Stars went on a 12-0 run over the next 3:37. Hammon and Bevilaqua combined for 10 points.

Thompson had 18 points and DeLisha Milton-Jones added 16 for the Sparks, who were eliminated from postseason contention.

San Antonio lost seven of nine at one point, allowing Los Angeles to creep back into the race. A win by the Sparks would have gotten them within a game with two to play, but the Silver Stars ended the suspense.

``It was extremely important,'' Hammon said. ``This is a very dangerous team. We wanted to come in and take care of business tonight.''

For the first time in four seasons, the Sparks will be left watching at home during the WNBA playoffs.

``Here in the Sparks organization, they want championships. The city wants championships,'' Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones said. ``In that sense, it's been a down year for us.''

Hammon had struggled in her last two road games, shooting 2 of 18 and scoring four points in a pair of losses at Seattle and Minnesota.

struggled in her last two road outings. She had managed just four points on 2 of 18 shooting in losses to Seattle and Minnesota.

``I was due for a big game here,'' Hammon said.

• Silver Stars: --
• Sparks: --

• Silver Stars: --
• Sparks: Bryant, Bryant

• Lead Changes: 9
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
• Officials: #39 Michael Price, #17 Scott Twardoski, #13 Cameron Inouye
• Attendance: 8502
• Duration: 1:44