Los Angeles SparksvsPortland Fire
LA 106/POR 101
Things to say
The Los Angeles Sparks beat the Portland Fire 106-101 on the road at Moda Center.
01
opener
Sparks went into Portland and took one, 106-101. Fire hung around all night but couldn't get the stop when it mattered. Road win in that building is no joke.
02
key player
Dearica Hamby was a problem, 23 and 10 in the paint. She ate them up on the glass every time they went small.
03
hot take
Portland's the better story but the Sparks are the better team right now. Records lie.
04
deep cut
Bridget Carleton quietly dropped 24 with 11 boards for the Fire and it still wasn't enough. Wasted a double-double.
05
exit
Both these teams are scrapping for the play-in, so the rematch actually means something. Should be fun.
The recap
Sparks went into Portland and grabbed a gritty 106-101 road win to spoil the Fire's night at the Moda Center. Dearica Hamby carried the load with 23 and 10, doing her damage in the paint all night and refusing to let LA fade.
Bridget Carleton did everything she could for Portland, dropping 24 with 11 boards, but she couldn't get enough help to get over the hump. Two teams scrapping around .500, and this time the Sparks made the winning plays down the stretch.