What they said: Los Angeles on beating Minnesota on July 5, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012. Staples Center, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Sparks 96, Minnesota Lynx 90
Recap
Notes
- Kristi Toliver tied her career-high in scoring with 29 points on 8-13 FGs and 6-6 from three-point range. This comes one game after she was held scoreless.
- Candace Parker contributed 28 points and 13 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season.
- With the victory, the Sparks handed the Lynx their first set of consecutive losses in more than a year (Minnesota lost to San Antonio in its previous game).
- Seimone Augustus led the Lynx with 18 points (7-12 FGs).
- Maya Moore scored 9 second-half points, but fouled out with 1:59 left in the game.
- The Lynx went on a 31-17 run in the final 6:45 of the game, but the attempted comeback fell short
Sparks head coach Carol Ross
On the play of the Sparks:
“You’re not going to keep a champion down for four quarters – there was a rough part but they responded. They did some different things and we didn’t adjust as quickly as we could have, but I’m just really excited about how we bounced back and stood up. With a little rest and practice we’re a pretty good team.”
On the importance of rest:
“It wasn’t all rest—we were practicing a lot during that time but just two main things: one, to win and have a day off, which isn’t something we’ve had a lot of. And two, to get back in the gym and get back to some fundamentals. You have game slippage when you don’t practice.”
On corrections after a three game losing streak:
“We wanted to come in and correct everything that we were doing poorly. Defending, rebounding, and executing better. I can think of 10 teams in this league that have had three game loosing streaks—it happens. You play good teams, you play on the road and you play without practice. It hits all of us at times. You just have to remember what you do well and hide what you don’t do well.”
On Kristi Toliver:
“I’ve been pushing her hard and have been rough on her and I think she just responds. Toliver is one that if you give her just enough fuel she’ll try to prove you wrong. Fortunately, it was me so she shot the ball great. She shot the ball tenaciously and defensively. Overall I’m happy to see she played both ends pretty well.”
Sparks forward Candace Parker
On what worked for the Sparks:
“Defensive intensity, I think we’re at our best when we play defense and obviously knocking down shots. It kind of helps the confidence when you’re getting steals on the other end. I think we brought a lot of toughness. Also, rest helps. We had a tough stretch playing every day, traveling, getting in late, and playing back to back. It is nice to be at home and regroup here.”
On being aggressive:
“The rest definitely helped. I think from a body standpoint, it was also mentally helpful to have some
time to practice and get things done. To spend some time with the family is always nice and to be able to practice and mentally get back into it.”
Sparks guard Kristi Toliver
On her career high scoring game:
“I just wanted to come out aggressive. I was pretty frustrated with myself and how I was playing in the
last couple games. I just have been decisive about my decision-making today and just refocused on what I do best, which is shooting.”
On going from a scoreless game to a career high:
“It’s completely crazy that I didn’t shoot the ball last game. That’s not who I am and that’s not who I want to be. I just shifted that and showed everybody this is who I am and this is what I do. I’m back on track. It definitely helped having a week off and having coaches in your ear telling you what you need to do.”
On beating the Lynx:
“It’s important because it’s a western conference game. It’s important to come out strong and show everybody.”
