The Indiana Fever put on an offensive show to soar over the Chicago Sky, 100-89. They now advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, after winning games two and three of the series against Chicago.
And the Fever were on fire Monday night, led by veteran Tamika Catchings, who had 27 points. Not even 40 points from the league's MVP, Elena Delle Donne, could get the Sky on top.
But Delle Donne almost made a believer out of everyone, just as Journey's, Don't Stop Believing, played on the loudspeaker around the gym. With 2:20 left in the third quarter, Delle Donne reminded us who the real MVP is. She pulled up and hit a jumper for two, lessening the Sky deficit to nine. Not even 60 seconds later, Delle Donne pulls up and hits an almost identical jumper, making the score 66-60.
With 38 seconds in the third, Allison Quigley nailed a three putting the Sky within five. However, down the court just seconds later, the Fever's Erlana Larkins lays one up for two. Larkins got fouled on the shot and completed the three-point play. The score to end the third quarter, 71-63.
Remember when defense won championships? Maybe. Or maybe not.
With 2:24 left in the game, Catchings did what Catchings does best. She played veteran basketball, and drove to the basket in hopes of getting fouled -- and she got fouled. Catchings made both free throws, widening the Fever lead at eight, 87-79.
However, she was not done just yet. With just under two minutes left, Catchings hit a huge three, making the score 90-82.
It started to seem like Indiana couldn't miss if they tried.
With 1:06 left, Indiana's Marisa Coleman hits a three, it was almost uncanny the threes the Fever kept making. But this last one by Coleman was the nail in the coffin, as it was a deficit that the Sky just can't overcome. The Fever won game three of the Eastern Conference semifinals, 100-89.
Now Indiana waits for their next opponent in the Conference Finals.