Los Angeles, CA – The numbers can say a lot but not always tell you the whole story. We will get one side of the story with the final score Phoenix Mercury 84 the LA Sparks 78. The numbers predicted this a slim victory for the Sparks instead.
“That was disappointing, they found a way to win an ugly game at the end,” said Sparks coach Curt Miller, “I’m really frustrated we couldn’t close that game.”
This Western Conference match-up showcased the intriguing world of stats and numbers.
Kahleah Copper, in her 8th season, leads the Mercury on the season, averaging 22.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Dearica Hamby, a walking double-double for the Sparks, is averaging 18.8 points and 10.5 rebounds.
The early look at this game the Sparks held a slim edge being favored for a Sunday afternoon victory over the Mercury. The Sparks have been able to sleep in their own beds after that long East Coast road trip.
If the playoffs started today the Mercury sit as 6th seed with a 10-10 record.
After the first quarter of play the Mercury guard Natasha Cloud took over hitting 3-4 from three-point line with 13 points as her team had the 25-15 lead. Now Sparks Hamby had 6 points to lead her team while rookie Jackson struggled being guarded by Griner and her length with 7-footer wingspan.
Griner found herself playing Jackson again today like the previous matchup. Jackson did score career high 22 points with 6 rebounds and Griner had 5 fouls.
Cooper struggled early only getting points from the free-throw line to start the game. By the end of the game she began to find ways to get her shots off finishing with 25 points. She will her points shooting 11-13 from the free throw line making the referees blow their whistle.
At halftime, the Mercury held a 42-39-point lead despite allowing the Sparks to dominate the paint with 28/14. The Mercury was the hotter team at three-point line shooting 36.4% vs only 16.7%.
Copper was slowed down by the Sparks with ball front defense but that allowed Cloud to enforce her will with 16 points for her team. Hamby stayed steady with 12 points scoring 6 points each quarter.
Hamby has been a strong on the stat sheet finishing with 25 points to led the team and 1 rebound shy of a double-double.
The Stats can’t always predict stand out performances, as each game brings its own drama and narrative. The Mercury were without guard Diana Taurasi. With that slight change in comes Cloud with the hot hand.
“No one going to tell Natasha she’s not the best player on the court anytime.” Said coach Miller.
Overall shooting stats indicate the game could have been a larger loss for the Sparks, with field goal percentages at 45.8% for the Mercury and 38.7% for the Sparks, and three-point percentages at 33.3% vs. 20.8%.
Stay tune for a normal game analysis soon.
