WNBA Finals 2017

Practice 3

Sept. 28, 2017

Brian Agler, Los Angeles Sparks

Q: Are adjustments even more important when you’re playing games like these?

Agler: It could be. I just think it depends on the scenario. I think each team will make adjustments going into the next game. You have to decide on the adjustments you make through the course of the game.

Q: What are some things you emphasized during practice today?

Agler: We just tried to tweak some of our offenses today. We went through some of their [Lynx] defenses and did a film session before practice. We just talked and got ready for game three.

Q: Can you lean on anything from last year after being in this situation?

Agler: I think this year is different than last year in a lot of ways. I know that [going into Game 3 tied 1-1] is similar, but our team is different, their team is a little different and people are doing things different offensively.

Chelsea Gray, Los Angeles Sparks

Q: Do you feel prepared for game three?

Gray: Yes, I think we are good. We are going to come out and play our game and be the aggressor, and we’ll go from there.

Q: What are the key factors you took from Game 2?

Gray: We took a few things from our last game. We have to get the 50/50 balls, do the intangibles and be aggressive.

Odyssey Sims, Los Angeles Sparks

Q: What is your mindset going into tomorrow?

Sims: It’s the same thing it’s been going into our last two games. We have to be aggressive, attach and see the outcome at the end of the fourth quarter.

Q: What will the atmosphere be like playing at home?

Sims: Home court is always good. We have our fans and everybody cheering for us, so it’s definitely a plus, but going into tomorrow we have to concentrate on us and everything else will take care of itself.

Alana Beard, Los Angeles Sparks

Q: What is the key to starting off Game 3 strong at home?

Beard: I think coming into every game we have to have a certain mindset and we have to come out with a sense of urgency. Obviously we came out with a sense of urgency and a great mindset in the first game and didn’t have it in the second game, but those are two important factors to winning games in a series like this.

Q: Is there a comfort of being home for Game 3 at Staples Center?

Beard: It’s never a comfort. We’re in The Finals. We approach every game like it’s our last. It’s good to be back home in front of our fans. It feels good. They give us a second wind, but this is the Finals. I don’t really consider anything home-court advantage.

Q: How instrumental is rebounding in The Finals?

Beard: Rebounding is a part of defense. If we can get stops on defense, get the rebound and play in flow, that is when we’re at our best.

Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks

Q: Both teams have shown that they are able to win on each other’s home court. Do you feel like you have much of a home court advantage going into Game 3?

Ogwumike: We are playing at Staples and we haven’t lost much at Staples, so I think that contributes to the crowd we’re going to see. Our fans are going to be proud to see us play at Staples and I think that pride is also going to contribute to how hard we play out there. Obviously we have to play hard for each other in order for us to do something big on Staples’ court.

Q: You are in the same position you were last year, tied 1-1 going into Game 3. What can you learn from last year going into tomorrow’s game?

Ogwumike: The experience we have from playing in Finals, I think that’s really it. With that experience comes the recollection of coming in, taking one game and then having a little bit of a lull in the second game. We need to learn from that. It’s a different team. It’s a different year, They are a different team and it’s a different year for them. It’s not going to be the same, but we’re excited. We’re up for the challenge. I know my team has my back and I’ve got theirs.

Q: How much different is the team this year compared to 2016?

Ogwumike: We have a lot of different players that add a little different aggression to the offensive end. Obviously, we have Odyssey and Chelsea. Chelsea has been growing. I think we saw the beginning of her growth towards the end of last year and now we see where that has gone. We also know what Odyssey can do. I think we probably have one of the best front courts in the league, as well as the Lynx. That’s why this matchup is so competitive. This year I think we see a mature team, an experienced team and a team that knows you can’t lose the opportunity.

Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks

Q: In the middle of the series, can you appreciate the high-level basketball that’s being played and how big of a matchup is this game for the fans?

Parker: I think that it is a great matchup and that it is exciting. If I were on the outside looking in, it’s a good brand of basketball. It shows the skillset and the talent. We’re scoring points and we’re doing things that respectable on both ends. I think it’s exciting to watch and I know a lot of people that are basketball fans because of it.

Q: Do you think these two teams bring out the best in each other?

Parker: I think that when you play somebody so many times you know what the other person is going to do. What they want to do, what’s their weaknesses and strengths. You just try to make it tough on them. That’s what they try to do to us and that’s what we try to do to them.

Q: During these practices are you able to add something that maybe they haven’t seen before?

Parker: It’s still the same tendencies. We know sports on the floor where they try to get people. It’s no secret with our offense what we run and it’s no secret of what they try to do. Regardless of the motion before it, it’s still getting people to certain spots. No matter the tweaks, I think it comes down to rebounding, defense and urgency. Obviously, you have got to knock down a couple shots.