Sparks Streak Past Comets
An hour before tipoff, Houston Comets Coach Van Chancellor paced the Staples Center hallway, desperately searching for the designated chapel room. Turns out, not even prayer could keep the Comets from this beating.
The Sparks defeated Houston, 75-55, Wednesday night, enhancing their standing in the Western Conference.
“I thought our size and quickness would really give them some problems,” Sparks Coach Joe Bryant said. “That’s what it did.”
The Sparks (9-3) took advantage of 23 Comets turnovers to gain outright possession of first place in the West.
Chamique Holdsclaw led the Sparks with 20 points, while Lisa Leslie, who sat out most of the first quarter with two fouls, scored 15.
The Sparks have won six straight, while the Comets (8-5) lost consecutive games for the first time this season. The teams entered the game with nearly identical records, but the Sparks’ size won out. The Sparks won the rebounding battle, 40-31, and used the solid inside play of Leslie, and the creativity of Holdsclaw to take a quick lead.
Sparks guard Temeka Johnson didn’t start after suffering a concussion Sunday against Sacramento. Doneeka Hodges-Lewis replaced her and scored 10 points, played 31 minutes (a season high) and received heavy praise afterward from Bryant.
“She came in and played like a real veteran,” Bryant said. “She played like a pro.”
Said Hodges-Lewis: “I didn’t have much of a choice.”
When Leslie went out with foul trouble 1:08 into the game, it was the bench that kept the Sparks involved. Bryant knew if his team could sustain a lead with Leslie on the bench, the Sparks would be in great position entering the second quarter.
He was right. After leading, 19-18, after the first 10 minutes, Leslie scored her first points with 6:32 left in the second quarter. The Sparks continued the momentum, outscoring the Comets by five in the second quarter, 10 in the third, and four in the fourth.
“Everyone has to do their part,” Bryant said. “It’s like putting a puzzle together.”
Against the Comets, each piece fit with ease.
Before the game, Chancellor said the road to the WNBA championship would likely lead through Los Angeles. Heavy praise but the Sparks proved it was deserved.
“They were on fire tonight,” Chancellor said. “It looks like to me, the Sparks are the best team in the league right now.”
* WNBA BOX SCORES, D9