Live From TOJ - Storm at Los Angeles (Game 2)
Final: Los Angeles 78, Storm 70
The Sparks finish out the victory, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 Tuesday in Los Angeles at 7:00 p.m., again on ESPN2. For the second straight year, the Storm will be involved in the only Game 3 of the first round. What must concern the Storm is that both starting guards, Sue Bird and Betty Lennox, limped off the floor in the final minutes, Bird holding that nose that has infamously been broken each of the last two seasons. We'll have the latest on their condition on storm.wnba.com as soon as we get it.
Really, this result was typical for this type of Game 2. The higher-seeded team, back at home, comes out with great energy and forces a Game 3. As we reported earlier in Insider Preview, these teams are 18-3 (85.7%) in Game 2s when facing elimination. For the Sparks, that surge of energy did not come until after halftime, but it came on furiously when it came. Now Anne Donovan will have the opportunity to make adjustments to quiet the Sparks.
It's a slightly down group that files out of Theatre Off Jackson, but one encouraged by the knowledge that two nights from now the Storm will have another opportunity to secure their second trip to the Western Conference Finals in the last three years.
Sparks Clamp Down
Fourth Quarter: Los Angeles 72, Storm 65
Big stretch there for the Sparks, who reeled off seven straight points after the timeout to extend their lead and put the Storm on its heels. Betty Lennox ended the run and took us to our final mandatory timeout with a layup and the foul that could allow her to pull the Storm back within six. With a little less than three minutes left, the Storm needs stops and scores - and remember that stops include getting the defensive rebound, which has been an issue throughout this series.
Storm Finds Offense
Fourth Quarter: Los Angeles 65, Storm 63
An aggressive Betty Lennox can mean great things or bad things. The third quarter saw Lennox get a little bit out of control, but she's in the flow right now and had two early buckets before drawing a foul in transition. Lauren Jackson sat out 2:40 as the Storm was able to make up some ground, and it looks like she's back for good. Unfortunately, five fouls have benched Janell Burse for the moment. Lisa Leslie is back for the Sparks as well, and the drama rises as each second ticks off the clock.
There was a collective panic in TOJ when the cable feed briefly skipped.
Surviving LJ's Rest
End Third Quarter: Los Angeles 59, Storm 55
So the Storm loses its lead in the third quarter, but has - like Friday night - stayed within striking distance. I don't believe Lauren Jackson rested at all in the period, so she's probably going to need a rest at some point in the final period - both because of her 30-minute limit and because she's plain tired. Jackson carried the Storm on offense late in the quarter, but defensively she showed signs of fatigue.
As the Storm got consecutive baskets in the final minute of the third, TOJ got very loud. I see an intense fourth quarter coming up.
That Darned Third Quarter
Third Quarter: Los Angeles 51, Storm 48
What is it about the third quarter for the Seattle Storm? All season long, it's been a bugaboo, and none of the explanations - Lauren Jackson's rest being the only real one - actually seem to explain what seems more likely to be a remarkable random event.
This afternoon, it's all about the Storm's offense going silent. Seattle has not made a basket in over 13 minutes, scoring only at the line in this quarter. The Storm has done a good job of getting to the line, but that's only enough to keep them hanging around in this game.
With Lauren Jackson at the line a moment ago, we had an "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!" chant at TOJ.
And We're Actually Live
Halftime: Storm 40, Los Angeles 33
Ah, technology can be great, but it can also be touchy. Today we've gotten the latter. Thanks to everyone at TOJ who has helped me try to get on, but now I've borrowed the laptop of Angie Engelhardt of StormFans.org (and a big thanks to Scott and Angie).
So where are we at halftime as the fans here at TOJ chat and grab a bite to eat? The Storm leads by seven, but Los Angeles captured some momentum late in the first half. Chamique Holdsclaw has played just a couple of minutes and was limping badly when she was on the floor. It looks like the strained foot she suffered in Game 1 will take her entirely out of the game, which is terribly unfortunate but still good news for the Storm. The best news is the Storm took a seven-point lead with Lauren Jackson taking just one shot (a 3-pointer which she made). The other four Storm starters, led by Betty Lennox's 13, combined for an impressive 35 points. If Jackson gets going, look out.
The Storm defense has been outstanding, holding Los Angeles to 28.9% shooting.
Great Start for Storm
End First Quarter: Storm 29, Los Angeles 19
Wow, did the Storm really just put up 29 points in the first quarter of a playoff game against one of the WNBA's best defensive teams? Unreal.
Great Start for Storm
First Quarter: Storm 15, Los Angeles 8
My analysis in today's Insider Preview indicated Joe Bryant's lineup change prior to Game 1 of this series wasn't really responsible for the Sparks loss, but Bryant apparently disagrees. He's gone back to his regular starting lineup and seen it pay dividends with Tamara Moore scoring two early 3-pointers. But the Storm has been even hotter from the perimeter to take the early lead. If the Storm can maintain this lead, it will put a lot of pressure on the Sparks in what is a must-win for Los Angeles.
TOJ is basically like a home away from home for the Storm, meaning while the crowd noise isn't the same as at KeyArena, it's as close as you'll get. Fans stand until the Storm's first score in both halves, just as at a home game ... and yes, the refs do take some abuse, even if they can't hear it here.
Signing On
Pregame
Okay, a change of plans from what was advertised in today's Insider Preview. Instead of coming to you from my couch, I'm coming to you from a couch at Theatre Off Jackson, where Storm fans gather to watch televised road games. I've attended a couple of times but had no idea TOJ would support me live-blogging.
And yes, I am wearing the now-famous Hawaiian shirt.
