Sparks-Fever Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Jul 11 2012 10:29PM

On the verge of matching their longest winning streak of the season, the Los Angeles Sparks could have a hard time keeping things going as they visit Indiana.

The Sparks try to avoid a sixth consecutive road loss to the Fever as these teams play their final games before the Olympic break Thursday night.

After winning all three games during its recently completed homestand, Los Angeles (14-6) extended its run to four Tuesday with a 90-71 victory at Phoenix. Candace Parker had 22 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three blocks for the Sparks, who outrebounded the Mercury 55-43 and limited them to 31.3 percent shooting.

"It was a good team effort," said coach Carol Ross, whose team won five in a row May 26-June 13. "It's good for us to get a road win. ... We came off a three-game win streak at home and we wanted to see if we could extend that on the road, so it was good."

Next up is a visit to Indiana, where the Sparks have been outscored by an average of 16.6 points during a five-game skid - including a 98-63 loss July 31. Parker didn't play in that game and has missed the last three road matchups with the Fever (10-6).

Indiana is coming off a pair of two-point victories at home, 88-86 over Chicago in overtime Saturday and 84-82 over New York on Tuesday. Tamika Catchings scored 23 points against the Liberty, including the game-winning free throws with 8.4 seconds to go.

Indiana, which shot 52.5 percent, let a 12-point, third-quarter lead slip away and trailed by four with under three minutes remaining.

"We did a good job holding our composure down the stretch," said Catchings, averaging a team-high 17.6 points. "When you look at it there are things that you're happy about and things you aren't happy about. Just continuing our quest to be a good team. We made some great defensive stops."

Winners of six of eight at home, the Fever have taken three of four overall - with their only loss coming 88-72 to San Antonio on July 5. Indiana led by as many as 18 points in that game before getting outscored 60-29 in the second half.

"We have kind of been able to learn from San Antonio to sustain a team's run and maintain our own run and come up with crucial baskets at the end," said Katie Douglas, who scored 20 points Tuesday. "I'd much rather learn from a win than a loss."

Nneka Ogwumike leads Sparks past Fever 77-74

Posted Jul 12 2012 9:44PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Rookie forward Nneka Ogwumike had 22 points and 20 rebounds to help the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Indiana Fever 77-74 on Thursday night.

Ogwumike finished with 12 offensive rebounds, tying a WNBA record. Los Angeles outrebounded Indiana 47-31 and grabbed 23 offensive boards.

Candace Parker and Kristi Toliver each scored 19 points for the Sparks (15-6), who won their fifth straight in the final game for both teams before the Olympic break.

Indiana (10-7) had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but Tamika Catchings missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Catchings scored 27 points and Briann January added 11 for the Fever. Katie Douglas, Indiana's No. 2 scorer, finished with nine points on 3-for-14 shooting.

The game wasn't decided until the final minute.

Ogwumike was called for a foul while boxing out Erlana Larkins with 35.5 seconds left. Larkins could have given Indiana the lead, but she missed both free throws and Los Angeles rebounded. Toliver was fouled and made both of her free throws to give the Sparks a 77-74 advantage, setting up the final sequence.

Indiana led 39-30 at halftime. Catchings scored 15 points in the first half to carry an otherwise lackluster Fever offense. Indiana held Parker to six points on 3-for-9 shooting in the first half.

The Sparks rallied early in the second half. Parker's putback cut Indiana's lead to 41-39, and Los Angeles got as close as a point before two 3-pointers by January pushed Indiana's lead back to 51-44.

Parker made a free throw, then missed the second before Ogwumike scored on a putback. Larkins was called for a technical foul, Los Angeles made the free throw and suddenly it was a one-point game again.

The Sparks finally took the lead late in the third quarter, but Indiana hung tough. A pair of free throws by Catchings with 0.5 seconds left in the period gave the Fever a 57-56 lead heading into the fourth. Parker and Ogwumike each scored 10 points in the third to pull Los Angeles back into the game.

• Sparks: --
• Fever: --

• Sparks: --
• Fever: Larkins

• Lead Changes: 11
• Times Tied: 12

• Arena: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
• Officials: #24 Tony Dawkins, #55 Eric Brewton, #31 Amy Bonner
• Attendance: 7244
• Duration: 2:09