WASHINGTON (AP) -- DeLisha Milton says defensive intensity is the
key to the hottest team in the WNBA.
"The secret is the intensity that we put into our defensive
game," Milton said Saturday after scoring 13 points and grabbing
eight rebounds during the Los Angeles Sparks' 62-50 victory over
the Washington Mystics.
"We really try to come out and alter everything that we
possibly can -- just being everywhere and getting our hands on
passes.
"When we're out there being tenacious and feisty -- digging real
hard into everything and blocking shots -- it really scares teams
and makes them think twice. And when we have them thinking twice,
they're playing on our court instead of us playing on theirs."
Saturday's matinee was played before a sellout crowd of 19,093
at MCI Center, but the Sparks controlled the game from opening tip
until final horn against the Mystics, who lost their second
consecutive game without injured leading scorer and rebounder
Chamique Holdsclaw.
"Sometimes we don't have an attitude, but in this game we
definitely came out with an attitude" said Mystics center Murriel
Page, who had 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
"Everyone thought this was going to be a cakewalk for LA, but
we came out with an attitude that this is our house and we're not
going to back down."
The Sparks say they face that everywhere they play.
"We knew there would be a lot of adrenaline pumping because of
Chamique's absence, a lot of players really wanting to show their
stuff on TV, and because they were playing the Sparks," Milton
said. "But this team just has so many offensive threats. On any
given night, any of us can have 20-plus points and 10 boards. The
thing that's so beautiful about it is we really know how to share
the ball and let the ball find the open player.
"We don't just have one star on this team that we focus on day
in and day out. And we not only have the height, we have the
agility. We can bang, and we can step out, and that's a luxury."
Lisa Leslie posted her 10th double-double of the season with 18
points, 12 rebounds and five blocks for the Sparks (17-3), who've
won eight in a row. Guards Ukari Figgs and Tamecka Dixon each
scored 10 points, and Latasha Byears added 10 rebounds for Los
Angeles, which hasn't lost since an 82-69 setback at New York on
June 24.
Helen Luz scored 14 points to lead the Mystics (5-13), who've
lost four in a row.
The competition got heated early in the second half when Leslie
and Mystics reserve center Tausha Mills exchanged words, prompting
a double-technical. Shortly thereafter, Milton hit the second of
two free throws to give the Sparks a 20-point lead, 52-32, with
13:50 left.
The Mystics then went on a late run. Luz's consecutive
3-pointers pulled Washington to 54-39 with 11:37 left. Murriel
Page's three-point play pulled the Mystics to 56-47 with 5:33 left
and they cut it to six, 56-50, on Tonya Washington's 3-pointer with
2:29 left but got no closer.
"Team basketball and team defense," Leslie said stopped the
Mystics' run. "Their record really does not indicate the type of
team that they are, and we knew that. They've always played us
well, but we played a very good first half today."
Vicky Bullett had nine rebounds, and Mills grabbed a season-high
seven boards for Washington.
"If you're going to have a loss, you should have a loss like
that," Mystics coach Tom Maher said. "We gave them a game. They
are a wonderful team."
 Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
|
|
ALSO SEE
WNBA Scoreboard
Los Angeles team page
Washington team page
|
