The Los Angeles Sparks sit within one win of reaching the promised land—a WNBA title after defeating the Minnesota Lynx on Friday night in Los Angeles by a final score of 92-75.
The game was played at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California since Staples Center played host to a game featuring the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.
Nevertheless, the Sparks proved to be queens of the hardwood on Friday night. Candace Parker, who was held to a three-for-12 shooting performance in Game 2 responded in major fashion by scoring 24 points on 11-for-19 from the field. L.A. also got 21 from Nneka Ogwumike. Both Parker and Ogwumike had nine rebounds each. Essence Carson finished with 16 points and Alana Beard added 15.
For the Lynx, both Rebekkah Brunson and Sylvia Fowles had 14 points each with Lindsay Whalen putting in 11. Six of those 11 were in the first quarter. What the Lynx defense did to Parker in Game 2, the Sparks defense did to Maya Moore in Game 3 as she was held to a mere nine points. Fowles also had five blocks.
The Sparks outscored the Lynx early and often in the first quarter as it was 32-17 after one frame, where at one-point they had a lead as high as 22. Los Angeles’ lead was cut to eight at 48-40 at halftime.
Los Angeles outscored Minnesota 44-35 for the remainder of the contest. The Sparks shot nearly 55 percent from the field as opposed to just over 48 for the Lynx. The Sparks also had an 11-5 edge on the offensive glass.
Game 4 will take place Sunday with the Sparks having an opportunity to close out the series on their home floor.
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
