Has anyone seen the LA SParks team? Just wondering 'cause they didnt show up to the game last night!!!!

With what appears to be Lisa Lesleys final WNBA game you'd expect LA to come out of the shute kicking and screaming. You would expect to see a very physical and emotional SParks teams that would have Phoenix fans worried throughout this game.  A Game 3 for LA that would be fueled by energy, emotions, and respect for Lisa Lesley. Well, NONE OF THAT HAPPENED OR WAS EVEN CLOSE TO HAPPENING. I sat amazed at the end of each quarter just wondering what the heck was going thru the minds of the Sparks team.  Not to take away anything from the Mighty Mercury, it just was not the game I expected to see. So with that, lets break it down:

1st qtr- Tangela Smith hits an early 3.  DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE it was remarkable the way the Mercury played defense throughout this entire game.  Taurasi, Pondexter once again scoring early in the game giving Phx. a HUGE lead. LA could not find their shot at all this first quarter.  When they did shoot, it was waaaaay off. I need to give credit to the Mercury team for holding LA to only 7 pts at the end of the 1st. qtr.  That alone just doesnt happen. Oh, but it did!! At the end of the first qtr. the score is Phx. 19 and LA 7.  Still a very low score for the Mercury but still on top.

2nd. qtr- So after the break you figure, Ok LA will come out ready to go. Ready to play some playoff basketball. "Lets do it for Lisa" type attitude, right? Ummmmm, NO. Penny Taylor comes in off the bench for Phx. and causes the Sparks to foul her numerous time. Penny misses 2 early free throws but manages to get back on track hitting two 3pt. shots. Phx. causes the Sparks to turnover the ball and the Mercury take advantage and score off the turnovers.  Ohlde comes in for Phx. and just plays her heart out. She is blocking shots, causing problems for LA under the basket. Ohlde is playing tonight one of her best games. She is holding her own down low making it hard for Lisa Lesley to get a good look at the basket. Ohlde was great in tonights game. Along with Ohlde, pretty much every Mercury player was causing LA to turn the ball over in one way or another. It was once again AWESOME DEFENSE. Oh have I mentioned Tina Thompson? No I haven't. She still hasnt done anything at this point in the game thats why. Thompson has -0- points in the first half for LA.  At the end of the 2nd qtr. Phx leads LA 41 to 25

Start of 3rd qtr- Emotions start to flare up! FINALLY!!! The 3rd qtr starts at the pace the Mercury like to play at. A huge advantage to them.  Tina Thompson finally draws a foul and goes to the line to get her first points of the night. Coach Cooper comes racing over to the Mercury side of the court to debate a call from the officials and gets called with a technical foul.  Taurasi goes to the line to shoot the technical.  Candice Parker cant seem to find her rhythm either and gets into foul trouble at this time. LA is expecting alot out of Candice Parker but she cant seem to get her game on tonight. A very young Parker has alot to carry on those broad shoulders of hers. The weight tonight just might have been a bit too much.  Cappie pondexter gets called for a technical foul with just seconds left in the qtr. Alot of emotions building up as the game is just 10 minutes away from being over. At the end of the qtr. Phx. leads LA 61 to 48

4th qtr- Tangela Smith gets called for her 5th foul just 12 seconds into the qtr. Still playing hard, Phx knows not to even think of slowing down the pace of this game. LA even though behind in pts can come back at any given time. 
Tameka Johnson for Phx. is all over the place. She is making shots, pushing the ball down the court and causing plays to happen for Phx. Johnson is fast and furious!!  Taurasi comes back into the game after a well rested 3rd qtr and just takes over once again. Hitting her shots and causing turnovers, Taurasi knwos that the clock is ticking and wants to win big.  With just 3:09 left in the game, Candice Parker fouls out and is sent to the bench. Not long following Parker, Lisa Lesley fouls out. The crowd stands and cheers for a legend in her own. The final game for Lisa Lesley. A moment she knew she would have to face has come full circle. She walks off the court into the arms of her coach and fellow players. A tearful Candice Parker hugs Lisa as the final seconds tick away on the clock. At the end of the 4th qtr. PHX WINS 85 to 74

My thoughts: LA fell behind early in this game and could not catch up at all. Poor shooting by LA and turnovers cost them this game. EXCELLENT DEFENSE by the Phx. Mercury team the entire game. LA was playing without emotion, energy or focus. For some reason LA's spark was burned out!!

GAME #1 TUESDAY PHX vs. INDIANA