The Los Angeles Sparks won 90-84 in Friday's matchup against the Indiana Fever. The Fever are coming off a grueling loss against the Las Vegas Aces. With a record of 6-11, they have now lost two back to back games, in which they had the ability to win both.
Within the first 9 mins of the game, the Fever turned the ball over.
The Indiana Fever did have a slightly higher field goal percentage, shot 50% from 3PT, 8 blocks, and had more total & offensive rebounds than the Sparks. However, the Sparks dominated the Fever in every other category. With 23 assists, fewer turnovers, more points in the paint, & fast break points; this led to the Sparks having the largest lead in the game, with 30 points in the 3rd quarter. The Fever had 20 turnovers in last night's match-up, that alone, may have been the sole reason that caused them the game. They tried to fight their way back in the 4th quarter, but it was near impossible to come back from such a deficit in the allotted time.
For LA, the Ogwumike sisters took over the game. What a spectacular performance from the sisters. Not only did Chiney Ogwumike start the game with a rebound and the bucket, she continued on that path for the rest of the game. Nneka and Chiney combined for 41 points for the game. Chiney had more rebounds than her sister Nneka, however Nneka had more assists at 4. Another star that contributed for the Sparks was Chelsea Gray with 15 points, 6 assist, and 5 rebounds.
Nneka finished with 14 points and 4 rebounds in the first half and Chiney with 12 points. The Sparks led by 10 in the first half.
How we can forget the phenomenal 3rd quarter effort the Sparks had. By the 7 minute mark, the Sparks had an 11-3 run. Los Angeles continued to dominate in the 3rd quarter and the lead continued to expand. In addition to the Sparks' scoring abilities Nneka was putting on a defensive show and had two steals in a row by the 5 min mark in the 3rd.
With two minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Sparks led by 30. The teams finished the 3rd quarter 76-52.
The 4th quarter was the defining factor for both teams. Within the 9 minute mark, the lead was cut down to 25. Coach Derek Fisher called a quick timeout. With 4:35 minutes left in the game the lead was 85-65, only a 20 point lead. The Fever were in comeback mode. Indiana really took over the 4th quarter within the 1:49 mark.
Before you knew it the lead was cut to 15 points then to 12. What incredible resilience by Indiana to cut it down to 8 with 50.4 seconds left in the game.
Erica Wheeler had 11 points and 3 assists for the Fever. Alongside her, teammates Tiffany Mitchell contributed with 9 points and Shenise Johnson with 11 points & 5 rebounds. We can't forget rookie Paris Kea with back to back threes when her team needed her the most. She finished with 8 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Sparks did not score one single bucket since the 4-minute mark. In conclusion, the Fever had a chance to win the game if it wasn't for their free throw percentage and turnovers. Sparks with 88 percent from the free throw line and the Fever with 75 percent from the line. That made a difference in the final result of the game.