Preview: Sparks (2-3) at Sky (5-1)
Date: June 06, 2014 8:30 PM EDT
Although the Los Angeles Sparks didn't lose three consecutive games last season, they're in danger of reaching that skid in the finale of a three-game road swing.
Avoiding it won't be easy against Elena Delle Donne and a Chicago Sky team off to one of its best starts.
The Sparks will try to turn things around with only their second victory in five visits to Eastern Conference-best Chicago on Friday night.
Los Angeles (2-3) did not drop more than two games in a row in 2013 en route to its second straight 24-10 finish and the second-best record in the Western Conference.
Following losses in Washington and Atlanta to open this trip, the Sparks look to avoid their longest slide since dropping three in a row from Aug. 30-Sept. 4, 2012.
That could be a difficult task unless they show some defensive improvement after allowing a season-high point total on 53.4 percent shooting in Tuesday's 93-85 loss to the Dream.
'They were 34 for 46 (in the paint)," said Candace Parker, who finished with a season-low 15 points and seven assists. "You're not going to beat anyone giving that up.'
Los Angeles will try to tighten things up against the Sky (5-1), who are closing in on their franchise-best 7-1 start set in 2012.
Chicago ranks third with 81.8 points per game and a 39.7 3-point percentage, but it did most of the damage from closer to the basket in its latest game. The Sky hit five of 10 3-pointers Friday against Connecticut, and shot 53.1 percent inside the arc in a 101-82 rout.
Delle Donne finished with a season-high 28 points, while Jessica Breland added 18 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks and Courtney Vandersloot had a franchise-record 13 assists.
'We were moving the basketball, we were taking what the defense was giving us (and) we just really did a good job for 40 minutes," coach Pokey Chatman said.
Delle Donne was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month after averaging an East-best 23.0 points in May. She finished with 20 points and eight rebounds in a 94-82 home win over the Sparks on June 29 before missing the second half of an 80-76 loss at Staples Center on Aug. 13 due to a left foot injury.
Epiphanny Prince led the Sky with 21 points in the home meeting, but her status is uncertain after sitting out three games since returning from a personal leave. Sylvia Fowles also is out while recovering from a torn labrum and impingement in her hip.
Parker, a Chicago-area native, totaled 38 points and 15 boards in the two matchups last season. She's missed two of the last five visits because of shoulder and knee injuries.
The two-time league MVP is averaging 22.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
Los Angeles continues to play without reserve guard Candice Wiggins, who will miss at least another four weeks after having surgery on her left knee.
Date: June 06, 2014 8:30 PM EDT
Although the Los Angeles Sparks didn't lose three consecutive games last season, they're in danger of reaching that skid in the finale of a three-game road swing.
Avoiding it won't be easy against Elena Delle Donne and a Chicago Sky team off to one of its best starts.
The Sparks will try to turn things around with only their second victory in five visits to Eastern Conference-best Chicago on Friday night.
Los Angeles (2-3) did not drop more than two games in a row in 2013 en route to its second straight 24-10 finish and the second-best record in the Western Conference.
Following losses in Washington and Atlanta to open this trip, the Sparks look to avoid their longest slide since dropping three in a row from Aug. 30-Sept. 4, 2012.
That could be a difficult task unless they show some defensive improvement after allowing a season-high point total on 53.4 percent shooting in Tuesday's 93-85 loss to the Dream.
'They were 34 for 46 (in the paint)," said Candace Parker, who finished with a season-low 15 points and seven assists. "You're not going to beat anyone giving that up.'
Los Angeles will try to tighten things up against the Sky (5-1), who are closing in on their franchise-best 7-1 start set in 2012.
Chicago ranks third with 81.8 points per game and a 39.7 3-point percentage, but it did most of the damage from closer to the basket in its latest game. The Sky hit five of 10 3-pointers Friday against Connecticut, and shot 53.1 percent inside the arc in a 101-82 rout.
Delle Donne finished with a season-high 28 points, while Jessica Breland added 18 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks and Courtney Vandersloot had a franchise-record 13 assists.
'We were moving the basketball, we were taking what the defense was giving us (and) we just really did a good job for 40 minutes," coach Pokey Chatman said.
Delle Donne was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month after averaging an East-best 23.0 points in May. She finished with 20 points and eight rebounds in a 94-82 home win over the Sparks on June 29 before missing the second half of an 80-76 loss at Staples Center on Aug. 13 due to a left foot injury.
Epiphanny Prince led the Sky with 21 points in the home meeting, but her status is uncertain after sitting out three games since returning from a personal leave. Sylvia Fowles also is out while recovering from a torn labrum and impingement in her hip.
Parker, a Chicago-area native, totaled 38 points and 15 boards in the two matchups last season. She's missed two of the last five visits because of shoulder and knee injuries.
The two-time league MVP is averaging 22.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
Los Angeles continues to play without reserve guard Candice Wiggins, who will miss at least another four weeks after having surgery on her left knee.
