The Shock fell back to .500 once again, despite 12 points from Sandy Brondello and 17 points of the bench from Korie Hlede. Detroit opened the game on a 13-4 run, but Los Angeles countered with a 15-3 run of its own to take its first lead of the day.

Both teams traded baskets for much of the period as the lead changed hands on 10 occasions before the half. The Shock still had a three-point lead with eight minutes to go at 68-65, but Los Angeles scored 13 of the next 14 points to take the lead for good.