Sparks' Rebounding Is Key in Victory Over Phoenix 90-71

Story by L.T.Willis

The Phoenix Mercury's #24 DeWanna Bonner and
The Los Angeles Sparks' #3 Candace Parker.
Photo by Barry Gossage NBAE/Getty Images.

The Los Angeles Sparks went on the road and improved their record to (14-6) with a victory over the Phoenix Mercury (4-14) 90-71. One of the things the Sparks needed to work on was turnovers and rebounding against teams. I guess Phoenix decided to work on rebounding as some of the starters had a big night in that department. With their 14 victories they are tied with The Minnesota Lynx who also has 14 victories also this season. The Sparks' Candace Parker was at it again with another double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds. The Sparks also had two other starters with double- doubles DeLisha Milton Jones had 13 points 11 rebounds and rookie sensation Nneka Ogwumike had 11 points and 14 rebounds. The Sparks' defense continues to improves as their team defense has gotten better since coach Carol Ross has become the head coach for the Sparks. The Sparks' turnovers have been a thorn in their side, and not for the outstanding  play of Kristi Toliver, Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike and their team defense this season, the Sparks record could have been totally different right now. Phoenix force the Sparks into 18 turnover, but didn't have enough fire power on offense too match the Sparks offense.

The Phoenix Mercury's #22 Charde Houston and
The Los Angeles Sparks' #0 Alana Beard. Photo
by Barry Gossage NBAE/Getty Images.

The Phoenix Mercury's DeWanna Bonner and Samantha Prahalis both had 14 points, Alexis Gray-Lawson had 13 points and Krystal Thomas 11 points did all they could for Phoenix , but could never get their offensive sets on the floor going, and their defense just couldn't make stops for them to get back in the game. In the WNBA certain teams have other teams numbers in the league and just like the Sparks they will have to figure out how to beat The San Antonio Silver Stars if they are going too compete for the Western Conference Title and The WNBA Championship. The Sparks' bench players Jantel Lavender had 6 points and Marissa Coleman had 5 points. The Sparks next road game will be in Indiana against the Indiana Fever on Thursday July 12, 2012. With a victory over the Fever the Sparks could have the best record in the Western Conference  during the Olympics break pending on if Minnesota wins their next  game against Tulsa on the same day.