Mercury-Sparks Game 3 Thread: Win or Go Home (or Into Retirement)

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 6:52 PM EDT in WNBA

Los Angeles Sparks coach Michael Cooper has said repeatedly that the playoffs don't start until one team wins a game on the other team's home floor.

Well, with the Sparks and Phoenix Mercury each having won on the other team's home floor in the Western Conference Finals, this series is in full gear and has set up what should be an exciting Game 3.

Not that the Detroit Shock and Indiana Fever series isn't interesting, but this superstar studded series has been exciting to watch..and Phoenix Stan will be on hand once again to give us the in-arena experience. And even if you cannot watch the game, you can follow along with us at mobile.swishappeal.com.

A few perspectives on tonight's game:

Style, pace will determine West finals Game 3 winner - ESPN
What will make the difference is what style most of Game 3 is. The Mercury want the pace to be breakneck, and the Sparks want it to be more deliberate. The first game of the series went just like the Mercury prefers, as Phoenix won 103-94. Friday's contest was much more to the liking of the Sparks; it was just the fourth time this season that Phoenix was held to fewer than 80 points.

Women's Hoops Blog
Though the Merc's bench didn't score much, they did actually play significant minutes (56 split between four players) compared to LA's (34 split between two players). With the games being back to back, I wonder how the Sparks' legs will feel in the fourth quarter?

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Great choices of quotes

all day thinking about this game I keep coming back to those two issues. If the Merc can score 25 points in the first qtr, they are going to be tough to beat. The back to back and being here in Phx is obviously a huge advantage for the Mercury.

I would be shocked if this game didn’t come down to the final two minutes and those two factors will (could) be huge at that point.

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah the back to back thing is interesting...

I can’t decide if the perimeter oriented home team or the post oriented away team benefits more…

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I think when it comes right down to it

style of play may not matter as much in a game like this…

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Well...

I was thinking the shooting team’s legs might be a bit more tired..and if it comes to a grudge match, the more physical team would have a slight advantage…

But they’re all pro athletes…so we’ll see…

I looked at numbers from the season and Cappie actually plays better on 0 days rest and Taurasi usually does fine… that might be coincidence… but it’s interesting nonetheless…

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

No pre-game interviews

both teams are looking locked in. I can’t tell if it’s focus, intensity or nerves but there is no smiling or goofing around today.

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

Watching the end of Ind - Det

on the big screen at USAC…what a game!

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by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

Amazing game!

Really sad that someone has to lose…

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Fans in the USAC cheering the Indy win

no love lost for Detroit here

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

I think if I hear

“all the single ladies” one more time I might just divorce my wife and go find me one of ’em

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

lol

I despise that song…

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Wasn't Clare Stevens

one of the refs that was going to be a replacement for the NBA?

He’s ref’ing tonight along w/ Sue Blauch and Michael Price.

I am pretty sure DT got into w/ Clarke earlier in the season (of course that’s not saying much) and Michael Price looks like one of the guys that called that tight game in Seattle in gm 2. I am not sure how to check that though

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

Just checked the scorer's report from game 2 in Seattle...

Price was there…

But just so nobody is confused, he was not there for the game 3 disaster…

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Right

I just checked as well…phew although a tightly called game probably favors phx

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions

PHO has DT...and...

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

well that's a better start for Phx

both teams look really tight though…that’s to be expected and will loosen up

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

Literally being one second or so more patient makes a big difference...

They’re moving the ball better and getting the open shots…

…and taking advantage of LA’s confusion on defense..

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Lead passing is clearly a skill that LA has not mastered...

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

Uh oh... i wanted a good game...

This is not looking like that…

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

no way the Sparks don't

find a way to slow this down and get back in it and make it a close one

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, guys.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Sep 26, 2009 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

Hey

Got a feed tonight?

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Live Access is actually working. Crossing my fingers. :)

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Sep 26, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Mercury D? It is not in fact a myth

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

Hey, Stan. I thought you were going to miss this one?

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Sep 26, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

There's no way

I was missing this one…it took some doing and I won’t do a recap tonight but here I am

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Great. Let’s see if the gals respond with a win.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Sep 26, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Sparks are 2-12

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions

People will look at the numbers...

disregard the fact that increased possessions = worse defensive numbers and disregard the Mercury D…

But the Rover and the way they are constantly switching defenses is a very creative scheme that works for what they want to do…

Now the Suns’ defense… ;)

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions

No, it's only more rare

than the ivory woodpecker ;)

by garzai38 on Sep 26, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

How’s the crowd, Stan? Attendance better than against the Stars?

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Sep 26, 2009 10:29 PM EDT reply actions

for sure

still not packed but much better than that game

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

What a silly offensive foul.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Sep 26, 2009 10:32 PM EDT reply actions

The Merc are getting a lot

a lot of calls against them but I can’t tell if they are bad calls or if they are just playing harder and as the “aggressor” picking up those fouls…

It feels like the later which I think bodes well if the Sparks pick up the intensity on their end and the refs are consistent

Can you guys tell?

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:34 PM EDT reply actions

I haven't seen a bad foul call

I think the Ohlde off foul definitely falls into a category of being the aggressor and trying to play tough bball…

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

They are calling the game kind of tight...

but consistently tight… no problem with that… just be consistent…

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions

yup - that's what it looks like to me

and that favors Phx

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

and btw - yes, I do think that

DT flopped on that shove by LL

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Beware the Bobbitt!

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

Bonner hasn't played well in this series

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

I may be jumping the gun...

But this one looks to be over…

I have yet to see the Sparks come back from this kind of deficit…

…and it does not appear that the Mercury intend to stop scoring any time soon…

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:43 PM EDT reply actions

I'll believe it when I see it

but holy cow – didn’t expect this

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Coop just yelled

at Bobbit for not shooting the ball…lmao

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by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

"At this point in the season if they do not know the severity of the situation, they do not deserve to be here"

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

I think Parker only has 2 fouls

not 3….the ref assigned a foul to Parker that should have gone to Lennox. I am pretty sure that’s what all that mess was about

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

What did Nicole Ohlde do in the off-season?

This is not the same person who was employed by the Lynx last season…

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Sep 26, 2009 10:52 PM EDT reply actions

she's played like this

pretty consistently since she’s been healthy….I’ve really been impressed w/ her game.

She’s a much better post player too but doesn’t get enough touches in this system. She’s said numerous times that her role is defense and rebounding and she’s one of those players that seems truly happy to do anything to help the team

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

What did you think of the Ohlde and Johnson moves when they were made?

It seemed like most Mercury fans hated them.

Ohlde has definitely come through as a Bill Cartwright 2.0.

by Scotter on Sep 26, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

you know

this is my first season covering or even following the Merc so I had no opinion. Locals that I talked too definitely were unhappy with the moves before the season started but you can’t argue now..

I was thinking the other day though of what this team would need to do in the off season if it lost to LA and I kept coming back to the PG spot.

I love Meek on and off the court but at 5’3" she just can get her shot up. A bigger defensive back up PG would be nice. They list Ketia at 5’8" but there’s no way. Of course she’s a great fit for this team w/ her speed so….

Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @phoenixstan

by Seth Pollack on Sep 26, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions