(Rumble in La La Land)
(photo credit / Jesse Johnson – USA Today Sports) Atlanta Dream are coming off an impressive win over the Las Vegas Aces with Rhyne Howard and Tiffany Hayes combining together with 55 points in a stellar performance on Tuesday night. The Dream are looking to take advantage of a 2 game winning streak over the Sparks this glorious afternoon. Los Angeles Sparks Nneka Ogwumike had an outstanding performance Tuesday over the Indiana Fever scoring 35 points in the game. She has amazing athleticism and productivity on the floor. In just 3 minutes of play her sister, Chiney Ogwumike gets off to a strong start in the quarter, giving the Sparks the early lead 8-4. The Dream’s Aari McDonald comes off the bench with 4 quick points tying the game 8-8. But LA goes on a 9-1 run with 2:25 left in the 1st. (17-12) Sparks Kennedy Carter catches Atlanta sleeping and takes advantage of back to back opportunities and scores 5 points to end the quarter. Sparks have their largest lead at 11. At the start of the 2nd, Atlanta tries to gain ground and stop Los Angeles’s run. Cheyenne Parker finishes with a strong layup in the paint. Tiffany Hayes is leading the Dream with a mid-range shot. She has 8 points in the half. Atlanta cuts the lead to 5 points in the 2nd. Nneka Ogwumike seals the deal for the Sparks with 11 points for the half; the lead is 42-31. Sparks score 11 points off of 7 Atlanta Dream turnovers.
Atlanta Dream struggles continue going into the 3rd quarter. Kia Vaughn falls into foul trouble with 4 fouls in the half. The Sparks are at their biggest lead of the game at 12 points – (54-42). Atlanta’s energy starts to pick up in the quarter as they bring the lead down to 56-50 as Naz Hillmon hits a baseline jumper. A high impact game from the Los Angeles Sparks as they continue to build on their lead against the Dream at 62-50, 3:20 to play in the quarter. But Atlanta’s tenacity and fight continued to shine late in the 3rd as they go on an 8-0 run. With the game carrying on in the 4th, we have a very pivotal match up between these two teams. Rhyne Howard drives to the basket and forces her to the foul line and brings Atlanta within a 7 point deficit. Sparks continue to dominate in the quarter by bringing the lead back up to 12. As Samuelson drains a jumper for LA. Most of this quarter would be dedicated to the defense of the Sparks. Adding more flame to the Dream’s nightmare, Tiffany Hayes goes out toward the end of the 4th with an injury. Nneka Ogwumike continues her scoring drive as she finishes the afternoon with 20 points. The Los Angeles Sparks hold on with a Rumble in La La Land wins 85-78. Atlanta Dream’s next game telecast will be Sunday as they face the Seattle Storm.
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