Leslie Returns and Sparks Win
After proving they can win without Lisa Leslie, the Sparks kept on winning as she returned.
Leslie had 31 points and 11 rebounds to help the Sparks win their 12th consecutive game by beating the Portland Fire, 88-83, Saturday night in front of 10,120 at Portland.
“I always stop at about 33,” said Leslie, who missed the Sparks’ win over Sacramento on Wednesday because of a knee injury. “I don’t want to push it.”
Mwadi Mabika added 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Ukari Figgs had a career-high 17 points for the Sparks, who lost a 12-point halftime lead before taking control.
“Back to last year, we didn’t want to put a lot of pressure on Lisa as far as being the only person we can go to,” Spark Coach Michael Cooper said. “We’re not just a one-player team--but she is our catalyst.”
Jackie Stiles scored 27 of her career-high 32 points in the second half for the Fire, which made all 27 of its free throws. Tully Bevilaqua scored a career-high 13 points.
Portland made a run in the last four minutes, outscoring the Sparks, 12-1. Stiles capped it with a three-pointer with 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining to cut the Sparks’ lead to 82-79. But that was as close as Portland got.
Leslie stole a loose ball from Bevilaqua and was fouled. She made both free throws and the Fire didn’t score again.
Los Angeles played without guard Tamecka Dixon, who took the night off to rest, team officials said. The Sparks didn’t need her.
“They are the best team in the league, and they were missing one of their best players tonight,” Portland Coach Linda Hargrove said. “I thought they were really good last year, and they have all their players back, only they added a couple of players.”
Los Angeles pulled away in the first half as Leslie scored 15 points and the Sparks grabbed 22 rebounds to the Fire’s 12.
“She is the class of the league right now, and she’s demonstrated it pretty much from the opening game to the All-Star game,” Hargrove said. “It’s almost like she’s on a mission to be the very best player in the league.”
Mabika made a fast-break jumper 7:59 into the game to give Los Angeles its first lead and the Sparks went on a 14-2 run in which Leslie scored seven points and blocked one shot.
Bevilaqua hit three three-pointers in the first four minutes, but the Sparks shut down Portland with an effective zone defense to take a 46-34 lead at halftime. Stiles had only five points at the half.
“This team is very good. We just have to be very good when it counts, and that’s in the playoffs,” Leslie said. “We’re looking forward to that.”