Sparks Pass Tough Test by Beating Sol

There were lessons the Sparks had to learn to become WNBA champions.

Thursday night, the Sparks learned a lesson about being champions.

As in never worry about what an opponent does before or after they play you. Just expect your game against them to be the best one they will play.

Miami looked average and disjointed in losing its season opener to Minnesota on Tuesday. But the Sol, looking much improved, took the Sparks to the limit Thursday before Los Angeles pulled out a 69-65 victory before 7,320 at American Airlines Arena.

Mwadi Mabika led the Sparks (3-0) with 17 points and saved her last two points for the most crucial time, scoring a layup with 26 seconds to break a 65-65 tie.

Nikki Teasley had only three points, but she had the game’s key defensive play, intercepting a pass by Sol guard Sandy Brondello with five seconds to play. After getting fouled by Sheri Sam, Teasley made two free throws to seal the victory.

Brondello scored 20 points.

“We knew they would go to [Brondello] at the end,” Teasley said. “She’s pretty good at going to her right, but I was aware of that. I was just trying to read what she was trying to do, and luckily I got there and made the play.”

While Coach Michael Cooper will take the victory, he understands how much the Sparks had to overcome, including Miami’s 37-31 halftime lead.

For most of the game, the Sparks were caught up in Miami’s style of play, which can best be described as chaotic.

The Sol (0-2) pressed the Sparks at every opportunity. The pressure caused the bulk of the Sparks’ 13 turnovers. “We didn’t think they would do it that much and weren’t ready for it,” Mabika said.

Lisa Leslie got in early foul trouble and was a nonfactor. She played only 23 minutes and had eight points and seven rebounds before fouling out.

At halftime Cooper loudly told the Sparks to “stop panicking” and slow the pace. The Sparks were calmer in the second half and eventually built a 54-45 lead with 9:13 to play. But Miami made a 14-3 run to get back in front, 59-57, with four minutes left. The teams went back and forth until the Sparks nosed ahead in the final seconds.

“I think our ability to work under pressure, offensively and defensively, was the key to the game,” Cooper said. “You’ve gotta tip your hat to Miami. We knew they were going to be good but they’re better than that. Once they get [their injured players back] they’re going to be a team to deal with in the long run.”

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New York 78, Seattle 61--Crystal Robinson scored 17 points at Seattle as the Liberty (2-1) spoiled Sue Bird’s debut with the Storm.

Bird, the top pick in the WNBA draft after leading Connecticut to the NCAA title, scored 11 of her 18 points in the second half.

Utah 69, Portland 64--Adrienne Goodson and Marie Ferdinand each scored 19 points to lead the Starzz (2-0) over the Fire (0-2) at Salt Lake City.

Orlando 80, Detroit 66--Shannon Johnson scored 17 of her 22 points in the opening 10 minutes at Orlando, Fla., and Dee Brown won his WNBA coaching debut.