Sparks Find Reason to Play
There was really nothing at stake in the Wednesday matinee game between the Sparks and Sacramento Monarchs. And for at least half of the game, it showed.
But the Sparks, who already clinched first place in the Western Conference, did have two carrots dangling in front of them -- ending a three-game losing streak and restoring confidence going into the WNBA playoffs next week.
That was enough incentive for the Sparks (24-9) to build a 12-point lead early in the fourth quarter and go on to defeat the Monarchs, 69-58, at Staples Center.
“Momentum is important going into the playoffs because it deals with your confidence level,” said Sparks center Lisa Leslie, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds for her 17th double-double on the season. “You definitely want to get on a winning streak going into the playoffs.”
Chamique Holdsclaw, celebrating her 29th birthday with nine points and five rebounds, echoed Leslie’s thoughts.
“When you start losing a game here and a game there, I wouldn’t say you panic, but everybody is like, ‘What’s going on, they’ve been playing so well,’ ” said Holdsclaw, who was back Wednesday after sitting out two games because of inflamed tissue in her left foot. “Just for confidence we needed to get things going again.”
Although Sacramento (20-12) has clinched second place in the West and had won four straight coming into Wednesday’s game, Coach John Whisenant has concerns as the defending league champions head toward the postseason.
“The parity is there among the top four teams in each conference,” Whisenant said. “I don’t think because L.A.’s won the West necessarily guarantees they’ll knock off Seattle, Houston or Phoenix. And there are no guarantees for us, whomever we play. It’s one reason we have to play with more consistency than we have.”
In Wednesday’s game, Sacramento had 18 points from reserve guard Kara Lawson and 12 points by DeMya Walker.
“This time last year,” Whisenant added, “I believe we were leading in every key defensive category. And for whatever reason, this year we’re not in all those categories. So we’re not as solid.”
Sparks Coach Joe Bryant says he knows that Sunday’s season finale against Minnesota is less meaningful since the Lynx are eliminated from the playoffs.
“I haven’t made any decisions,” Bryant said of Sunday’s game. “But we might not play Christi Thomas (left knee injury) to make sure she gets herself back for the playoffs. We’ll make a decision on Holdsclaw, see how her foot is. And also try to cut back Lisa Leslie’s minutes.”
Meanwhile, the Sparks wait to see who they will play in the first round. “I’m conscious of getting them ready for the playoffs, but you don’t want to lose that rhythm and flavor you have,” Bryant said. “That’s the tough thing at this moment.”