Sparks defeat Dallas to keep their faint playoff hopes alive
The Sparks beat the Dallas Wings 91-77 Sunday in Crypto.com Arena to keep their weak hopes in a living room series before the last week of the regular season.
Julie German finished with 21 points, a career summit of five interceptions and four assists, and Rae Burrell collected 13 points while the Sparks won a race of 16-0 in the fourth quarter.
“I think we have remained strong defensively, we had some interceptions, then we were running and playing in a team,” said German. “When we play like that, I think we are unstoppable.”
Sparks (20-22) must win their last two games against Phoenix and Las Vegas and get lost against Golden State on Tuesday to make the playoffs.
The Sparks led throughout the whole match, capitalizing on 10 three points, 12 interceptions and six players marking two -digit.
Dallas, however, made a 19-2 race at the start of the third quarter and managed to briefly lead twice.
Amy Okonkwo struck a three-point pointer with 8.9 seconds to play in the third quarter to give the Wings (9-34) an advance of a point. But the Sparks did not waste time responding, German striking a three -point pointer before the buzzer which advanced the sparks.
Burrell scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to help sparks withdraw.
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts congratulated Burrell for his aggressiveness.
“She’s going to fly and make things happen,” said Roberts. “She is so athletic, inflatable and aggressive – it gives everyone to life.”
Azurá Stevens collected 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Delerica Hamby finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Kelsey Plum had 12 points and Rickea Jackson contributed 11 points.
Stevens said her performance was a reminder of how she could contribute to the success of the Sparks.
“I know that I do much of the team, like everyone else,” said Stevens. “I know that when I go out aggressive, even if I don’t blows, it still puts pressure on the defense.”
The recruit of Dallas, Paige Bueckers, finished with 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Dallas. Myisha Hines-Allen collected 15 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Maddy Siegrist added 13 points and four rebounds for the wings.
