Sparks Defeats Seattle 83-59 Game Preview

Story by L.T.Willis

Los Angeles Sparks' #20 Kristi Toliver scored 23 points  in the
victory over the Seattle Storm 83-59. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

The Los Angeles Sparks now (12-6) with a blowout victory over the Seattle Storm (7-9) 83-59 now must get ready for a team that seems to have their number the Atlanta Dream. Seattle was over come by a balance attack of scoring from the Sparks' staring five. Candace Parker continues her rampage on teams in the WNBA with another impressive double-double performance with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assist against Seattle. There is a fire in her eyes and you can see it in the way she is playing and leading her team on a championship title run.

Lisa Leslie and her husband celebrating her 40th birthday
as the Sparks gave a great present with a victory over
the Seattle Storm. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Lisa Leslie now part of the Sparks' organization was on hand with her family celebrating her 40th birthday and having a great time as the Sparks had no problems with Seattle and never let them get back into the game, which lately has been a problem for the Sparks during games. Seattle's Camille Little who finished the night with 12 points, Shekinna Stricklen and Alysha Clark both had 11 points still wasn't enough fire power too match the Sparks offense and without Sue Bird playing it was a up hill battle all night.

Sparks' #3 Candace Parker  and Seattle's #7 Tina
Thompson. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Even though the Sparks defeated Seattle 83-59 another question will have to be answer when they play against Atlanta on Sunday night, teams that seems too have size they have had a problems with. The Atlanta Dream back on June 15 beat the Sparks real bad  92-59 for their worst lost of the season, and you know that defeat is still on their minds. You could tell that the Sparks was getting ready for what would be a must win for the Sparks against Atlanta by the way they played tonight.

Sparks' #0 Alana Beard has been solid at the
guard position. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Sparks'#3 Candace and #10 Andrea
Riley. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

The big scare of the night came when new team mate Andrea Riley threw a pass to Candace Parker behind her and she reach back for it, you could tell that she was in pain and everyone at Staple Center could only hope that she would return to the game. The other scare in the game  was when Tina Thompson and Nneka Ogwumike collided and Tina Thompson rolled over in real pain. Minutes later Thompson got up with the help of team mates and walked over to her bench. Candace Parker injury prove not too be real serious as she return back to the game later on.

Sparks' #0 Alana Beard applying defensive pressure
on Seattle's #7 Tina Thompson. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports

The Sparks' Kristi Toliver had another great game with 23 points,Candace Parker 17 points 14 rebounds, DeLisha Milton-Jones 15 points, Nneka Ogwumike 13 points 11 rebounds and Alana Beard finish the night with 10 points and played solid defense for the Sparks. Seattle's Camille Little led her team with 12 points, Alysha Clark and Shekinna Stricklen both had 11 points and Tina Thompson and Svetlana Abrosimova both finish with 9 points. My biggest concern for the Sparks is the number of minutes played by the starters during games, and the lack of minutes and scoring by the bench will have to be address by the Sparks' coaching staff. Ebony Hoffman, Nicky Anosike and new team mate Andrea Riley will have to become a factor if the Sparks are to compete for the WNBA Title. All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.