SPARKS WIN AGAIN; DEFENSE KEYS THIRD VICTORY SPARKS 70, PORTLAND 57.Byline: Pamela Lewis Staff Writer INGLEWOOD - The Sparks anticipated a tough game against the expansion Portland Fire The Portland Fire joined the Women's National Basketball Association in 2000 as the counterpart to the National Basketball Association team the Portland Trail Blazers. They played their games at Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The team folded after the 2002 season. , a team that took the three-time defending champion defending champion n (SPORT) → defensor/a m/f del tÃtulo defending champion n (Sport) → champion(ne) en titre Houston Comets The Houston Comets are a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas. Formed in 1997, the team is one of the original WNBA teams and after winning four championships in the first four years of the league's existence, the Comets are also the first dynasty of to double-overtime before losing. The Sparks, however, were the defensive agitators and never had any trouble as they defeated the Fire 70-57 Tuesday night at the Forum. The win improved their record to 3-0, the only remaining undefeated team in the WNBA WNBA Women's National Basketball Association WNBA World Ninepin Bowling Association WNBA Wannabe Nasty Boys Association WNBA Women's National Book Association, Inc. WNBA Warszawski Nurt Basketu Amatorskiego . The only negative Tuesday was the announced attendance of 4,639, the lowest figure since a 1998 game with Sacramento drew 4,851. But everything else went well. ``Great defensive effort,'' Sparks coach Michael Cooper Sophia Witherspoon had 12 points for Portland (1-2), its only player in double figures. The Fire reserves outscored its starters 33-24. The Sparks bench, paced by Allison Feaster's 13 points, had 20 points as a group. Lisa Leslie ``My thing is just win,'' Leslie said. ``I don't care
"Don't Care" is a 1994 (see 1994 in music) single by American death metal band Obituary. if I have three points or 30. I just want to win.'' Comparing the Sparks to Houston, Portland coach Linda Hardgrove said the Sparks are ``extremely athletic, very, very quick.'' It wasn't a great offensive game for the Sparks, who shot 34 percent, but they were able to contain the Fire at 37 percent. The Sparks made their point at the free-throw line, where they made 17 of 24 attempts. Feaster was 11 of 14 from the line. The first half was punctuated by runs, mostly by the Sparks, who took a 26-24 advantage into the break. After falling behind 5-2, the Sparks took command as DeLisha Milton scored on a layup to initiate a 12-2 run. Portland pulled within 16-13, but it was a short-lived. Feaster ignited the defense by picking up a couple of steals to help build the Sparks lead to 24-13 with six minutes to play. Nikki McCrimmon scored five consecutive points to give the Sparks their biggest lead of 15 points with 1:23 remaining in the period. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Portland's Sophia Witherspoon tries to find an open teammate while being defended by the Sparks' Mwadi Mabika. Michael Caulfield/Associated Press |
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