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Tuesday, Jul. 25 10:30pm ET
Sparks finally pull away from Miracle | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- For much of the first half, the Los Angeles Sparks were unable to master the Orlando Miracle's triangle-and-two defense, trailing by as many as eight points. But once they were able to figure out the best way to attack the combination zone and man-to-man defense, there was no looking back, as Los Angeles was a 78-63 winner Tuesday night, maintaining its half-game lead in the Women's National Basketball Association's Western Conference. Lisa Leslie scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds Tuesday night to lead the Sparks to victory. Tamecka Dixon and DeLisha Milton each added 14 points and Mwadi Mabika had 11 as the Sparks (22-3) won for the 18th time in 19 games. All five Orlando starters scored in double figures, led by Cintia dos Santos who had 14 points. Taj McWilliams and Adrienne Johnson added 13 points, Shannon Johnson had 11 and Nykesha Sales scored 10. But the Miracle's reserves were outscored 17-2. Orlando (14-11) fell into third place in the Eastern Conference, percentage points behind Cleveland and a game behind New York. Adrienne Johnson made her first five shots and scored all of her points in the first half. She missed her final 11 shots. McWilliams scored all of her points in the second half. Shannon Johnson's three free throws, with about 14 minutes left, pulled Orlando within 45-44. Los Angeles answered with seven straight points on baskets by Nicky McCrimmon and Dixon and Leslie's 3-point play. The Sparks went on a 6-0 run to take a 60-48 lead with eight minutes left. Los Angeles led by at least 10 the rest of the way, outscoring the Miracle 24-15 to close out the game. Los Angeles led 37-30 at halftime, scoring the final 13 points of the half. | ALSO SEE WNBA Scoreboard RECAPS Houston 79 Seattle 53
Los Angeles 78
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