Sparks, Mystics looking for their grooves, set for rematch

The Los Angeles Sparks discovered the correct of rhythm previous to the brief WNBA All-Star break, and they are going to be trying to preserve that after they go to the Washington Mystics on Tuesday.

It is going to be a rematch of the latest recreation for every workforce. The Sparks blew out visiting Washington 99-80 final Tuesday within the closing recreation for the groups earlier than the hiatus. Three Los Angeles gamers reached the 20-point mark within the recreation, led by Dearica Hamby’s 26.

“I believe we’re beginning to determine it out, and being wholesome helps,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts mentioned.

Mystics coach Sydney Johnson mentioned he noticed room for enchancment from his membership.

“They uncovered a little bit little bit of our weaknesses,” Johnson mentioned. “There are some issues I might help our gamers with to assist us play higher.”

Defensive breakdowns within the first assembly will have to be addressed, Johnson mentioned. The Mystics (11-11) will purpose to get again on monitor after their three-game successful streak was snapped in Los Angeles.

“They’re a terrific frontcourt, versatile,” mentioned forward-center Shakira Austin, who led Washington with 16 factors towards the Sparks. “They have been a little bit extra bodily. We’ve to cease being the much less bodily workforce.”

The Sparks (8-14) are bracing for a special method from the Mystics.

“They are going to come at us in a different way,” mentioned Kelsey Plum, who leads the Sparks in scoring with 20.1 factors per recreation. “We all know that, so simply be ready for that.”

The Sparks are nonetheless adjusting underneath Roberts. She is in her first season on the Los Angeles bench after being employed to interchange the fired Curt Miller.

“It is simply time collectively and within the system and it takes a minute,” Roberts mentioned. “We simply bought to maintain our foot on the gasoline as a bunch.”

A key contributor for Los Angeles has been Julie Allemand, who dished out 10 assists final week towards Washington. The Sparks have been plus-22 with Allemand on the court docket, despite the fact that she scored solely three factors in 32 minutes.

“That is laborious to do,” Roberts mentioned of the plus-minus ratio. “Her worth can’t be unspoken.”

Brittney Sykes is Washington’s prime scorer at 17.1 factors per recreation, and she or he was added as an damage substitute for the All-Star Recreation. Rookie teammates Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen additionally represented the Mystics on the All-Star Recreation.

“They’re checking a whole lot of containers,” Johnson mentioned of his workforce. “They’re working. They’re getting higher. There’s humility.”

Mystics guard Sug Sutton mentioned the primary half of the season was a stretch of attending to know one another.

“We nonetheless have one other 22 video games,” Sutton mentioned. “I believe we have been doing good, holding one another accountable.”

–Area Stage Media