The way Maya Moore goes on a roll and controls the game with her explosiveness is simply inexplicable. There is just no other way to define it; it's how shes become the one of the players in the business and such performances are meant to be enjoyed.
With their all-stars back, the Minnesota Lynx edged the Los Angeles Sparks to take Game 1, 67-65 of their Western Conference Semi-Finals clash.
Moore shines in big moments, period.
Moore scored 9 of the Lynx's first 20 points, paving the way for what was another phenomenal night. The home side had their dose of struggles but then Moore just took control in the third quarter, firing bucket after bucket.
Moore finished with a playoff career-high of 33 points, and added 5 rebounds and 4 steals. There was one point in the second half where she and the entire Sparks were tied at second half scoring. It's just how amazing she was.
Seimone Augustus returned to add 17 points, and her presence, as what I have mentioned in the preview, is vital. Her pull-up jumpers are still there, and that changes the approach of the Sparks on defense.
Which team will get more contributions in Game 2?
Lindsay Whalen struggled, only chipping in 2 points and was a minus-16. The Lynx will need more production from her and the bench. That is if Cheryl Reeve decides to extend the rotation. In Game 1, she used only 7 players. Devereaux Peters played only 11 minutes so it was essentially a tight 6-woman rotation.
Rebekkah Brunson showed brilliance in certain stretches, protecting the paint. The duo of Nneka Ogwumike and Jantel Lavender still combined for 26 points and 11 rebounds on more than 50 percent shooting, so Brunson and Sylvia Fowles need to do an even better job in Game 2.
The Sparks also had a short rotation, using only Ana Dabovic and Temeka Johnson off the bench. The two combined for 9 points, while starter Alana Beard only had 2 points. Outside of the obvious, these teams must get production from more people in Game 2.
Observations on defensive strategies
Ana Dabovic made a difference in Game 1 because of her size and the things she bring on offense. When she checked in, she was able to get to the basket on offense. She finished with 7 points. At this point she is obviously Brian Agler's 6th Woman and she does not disappoint.
On defense, Dabovic took Augustus, and that gave the Sparks the luxury to have one of their bigs defend Moore. Sometimes it was Candace Parker. Sometimes it was Nneka Ogwumike. The size bothered Moore. She threw up contested jumper off the screens as the Sparks did not have trouble with the big-on-big switch.
Anna Cruz also cut off Kristi Toliver's attacks. Whalen was obviously ouplayed, but when Cruz was inserted to stop Toliver, the latter was taken out of her game. Cruz is an excellent one-on-one defender and that ball pressure will be key in Game 2. Toliver only had 3 points in the second half after scoring 9 in the first half.
Is overwhelming desire/hunger getting in the way of Parker's maturity?
We know Candace Parker has that overwhelming desire to win, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, my guess is that subconsciously, she is forgetting to go back to the basics as she wants to take charge. It's -- even if she does not realize it -- getting in the way of her maturity and in the end affecting their playoff success.
But recent memory makes you realize where that desire and hunger are coming from. Parker has been on the wrong end of many playoff heart-breakers. One that definitely still haunts her was when the Phoenix Mercury shut them at home in the 2013 West Semis after Brittney Griner hit a game-winning jumper.
That pretty much spoiled Parker's MVP season. Parker had a chance to win it but her final shot in the end went astray, sending her to tears.
On Friday, with 3.3 seconds to go and the Sparks down by 2, 65-67, they had a chance to send it to overtime. But Parker caught an inbounds pass and quickly launched a hurried fadeaway. It was never a good shot in the first place, and it allowed the Lynx to escape.
Now, the question is, is her desire and hunger getting in the way of her maturity on the floor? For the past decade she has been at the forefront of the Sparks' playoff runs, but unless she acknowledges they have to play it right and play as team, she may not be able to get over the hump.
Parker shot 5-for-16 in Game 1 and only had 4 assists. It's all mental for her now. The Sparks still have a good shot of stunning the favorites, but it starts with her leadership and decision-making in crucial moments.
The Sparks take on @minnesotalynx 9/20 at noon in the Conf. Semi's at @CSULB! Tix: http://t.co/1gkdAfsuQ8 #WeAreLA pic.twitter.com/oamBmfP4oe
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LA_Sparks) September 15, 2015
With their all-stars back, the Minnesota Lynx edged the Los Angeles Sparks to take Game 1, 67-65 of their Western Conference Semi-Finals clash.
Moore shines in big moments, period.
Moore scored 9 of the Lynx's first 20 points, paving the way for what was another phenomenal night. The home side had their dose of struggles but then Moore just took control in the third quarter, firing bucket after bucket.
Moore finished with a playoff career-high of 33 points, and added 5 rebounds and 4 steals. There was one point in the second half where she and the entire Sparks were tied at second half scoring. It's just how amazing she was.
Seimone Augustus returned to add 17 points, and her presence, as what I have mentioned in the preview, is vital. Her pull-up jumpers are still there, and that changes the approach of the Sparks on defense.
Which team will get more contributions in Game 2?
Lindsay Whalen struggled, only chipping in 2 points and was a minus-16. The Lynx will need more production from her and the bench. That is if Cheryl Reeve decides to extend the rotation. In Game 1, she used only 7 players. Devereaux Peters played only 11 minutes so it was essentially a tight 6-woman rotation.
Rebekkah Brunson showed brilliance in certain stretches, protecting the paint. The duo of Nneka Ogwumike and Jantel Lavender still combined for 26 points and 11 rebounds on more than 50 percent shooting, so Brunson and Sylvia Fowles need to do an even better job in Game 2.
The Sparks also had a short rotation, using only Ana Dabovic and Temeka Johnson off the bench. The two combined for 9 points, while starter Alana Beard only had 2 points. Outside of the obvious, these teams must get production from more people in Game 2.
Observations on defensive strategies
Ana Dabovic made a difference in Game 1 because of her size and the things she bring on offense. When she checked in, she was able to get to the basket on offense. She finished with 7 points. At this point she is obviously Brian Agler's 6th Woman and she does not disappoint.
On defense, Dabovic took Augustus, and that gave the Sparks the luxury to have one of their bigs defend Moore. Sometimes it was Candace Parker. Sometimes it was Nneka Ogwumike. The size bothered Moore. She threw up contested jumper off the screens as the Sparks did not have trouble with the big-on-big switch.
Anna Cruz also cut off Kristi Toliver's attacks. Whalen was obviously ouplayed, but when Cruz was inserted to stop Toliver, the latter was taken out of her game. Cruz is an excellent one-on-one defender and that ball pressure will be key in Game 2. Toliver only had 3 points in the second half after scoring 9 in the first half.
Is overwhelming desire/hunger getting in the way of Parker's maturity?
We know Candace Parker has that overwhelming desire to win, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, my guess is that subconsciously, she is forgetting to go back to the basics as she wants to take charge. It's -- even if she does not realize it -- getting in the way of her maturity and in the end affecting their playoff success.
But recent memory makes you realize where that desire and hunger are coming from. Parker has been on the wrong end of many playoff heart-breakers. One that definitely still haunts her was when the Phoenix Mercury shut them at home in the 2013 West Semis after Brittney Griner hit a game-winning jumper.
That pretty much spoiled Parker's MVP season. Parker had a chance to win it but her final shot in the end went astray, sending her to tears.
On Friday, with 3.3 seconds to go and the Sparks down by 2, 65-67, they had a chance to send it to overtime. But Parker caught an inbounds pass and quickly launched a hurried fadeaway. It was never a good shot in the first place, and it allowed the Lynx to escape.
Now, the question is, is her desire and hunger getting in the way of her maturity on the floor? For the past decade she has been at the forefront of the Sparks' playoff runs, but unless she acknowledges they have to play it right and play as team, she may not be able to get over the hump.
Parker shot 5-for-16 in Game 1 and only had 4 assists. It's all mental for her now. The Sparks still have a good shot of stunning the favorites, but it starts with her leadership and decision-making in crucial moments.
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