MINNEAPOLIS - Shooting guard and 3-point specialist Kristi Renee Toliver exploded for 25 points as the Los Angeles Sparks shocked the Minnesota Lynx, 94-76, on Friday night at the Target Center.
Toliver, the daughter of former NBA referee George Toliver, added 4 assists, a rebound and two steals to her haul, ending Minnesota's 13-game winning streak. L.A.'s victory also 1 avenged the Sparks' home loss to Lynx on Tuesday night at Staples Center. Toliver, 29, went 7-of-11 from long distance.
Three other Sparks scored in double figures ----- forward Nneka Ogwumike (20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal), , center Candace Parker (14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and a block) and Jantel Lavender (10 points).
The reigning and 3-time champion Lynx (2011, 2013 and 2015), a team owned Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, were out-gunned as coach Cheryl Reeve only had a two-woman army in terms of offensive production.
Maya Moore, the league MVP in 2014 got 28 points on, 10-of-19 shooting from the field (52.6%) while reserve guard Jian Perkins added 13 points, 3 boards and a steal.
Last year's Finals MVP, center Sylvia Fowles had only 7 points and 11 boards while 2011 Finals MVP, shooting guard Seimone Augustus, had a cold spell and was held to a meager four points.
"I thought Los Angeles had way more bounce in their step than we did throughout most of the game, they were very persistent, they executed, they executed on their timeouts well" Lynx coach Reeve said during post game interview.
The Lynx wore their #Orlando United warm up black t-shirts dedicated to 49 people died and the people injured during mass shooting in Orlando City, Florida State happened few weeks ago.
Kris Dunn, the Minnesota Timberwolves' pick (No. 5) in last Thursday's NBA draft was one of the 13, 003 fans who watched the game.
Last night's game felt a championship preview for the Western Conference title. The Lynx (13W - 1L) will travel and play the Washington Mystics on Sunday, while LA Sparks (12W - 1L) will host the Connecticut Sun on the same day.
The author at the Target Center
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