- Washington (3) – Los Angeles (6)
The first game of the night pitted the Mystics against the Sparks. In the first few minutes, the Mystics did not seem very well entered into the game. But this will only last a few minutes and as soon as the Washington players have set the pace in the match, everything became easier for them and they logically took the lead at the end of the first quarter (27-16) . The Sparks had to cross the United States twice in length in 3 days before this game and this inevitably took its toll on organizations which then seemed unable to keep up with the Mystics’ quick play. In the second quarter, the gap widened to 15 points on two long shots from Natasha Cloud (40-25). He even climbed 21 at half-time (50-29) thanks to the last eight Tianna Hawkins, taking advantage of the multiple catches two of the Sparks which freeing her from her direct opponent.
THREE-HAWK!#MysticsSparks #TogetherDC pic.twitter.com/gpr9uBQMHk
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) August 23, 2018
Unfortunately for the show, the rest of the game will be one-sided. The few baskets entered by the Sparks will be spoiled by a defensive error on the next action. If we can say that Los Angeles was simply not in its game, it is also necessary to recognize that Washington will have played very well by supporting loa hurt in the Sparks. Running each rise of the ball with a play of single passing, the Mystics gave the Sparks no chance to rest and at no time did we feel the star players of the Mystics having to strain their talent. The Mystics oust last year’s finalists 96-64. It’s Washington’s biggest win this season, and it comes at the best of times.
This game will surely speak for the future given the Sparks’ schedule over the past week. After the movement episode of the Aces a few months earlier, this fatigue accumulated by Los Angeles will be one more argument for the players to put pressure on the league.
- Connecticut (4) – Phoenix (5)
The second game started off with a bang. In a style run and gun we can only love, Sun and Mercury surrendered blow for blow and were equal after 5 minutes of play (15-15). At the end of the quarter, the defenses tightened a little but the gap did not increase well and the game remained very good looking. In the second quarter, the game was a little more choppy. The battle under the baskets was raging and we could see several rather severe mistakes and some changes of trashtalking between the two teams. smelled like powder in Connecticut! The Sun managed to take a short lead at halftime (44-40), helped inside by Jonquel Jones who, beyond his very good statistical contribution (6 points, 4 decisive assists and 5 rebounds at half-time), knew how to make the right passes in the right timing in order to create the shift in the defense of Phoenix. His physique and his aggressiveness in an intense match made up for the reduced playing time of Chiney Ogwumike, due to a knee injury at the end of the season.
Q: How good is @jus242?
A: VERY. #GetSun pic.twitter.com/G020FJzwTE— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) 24 aot 2018
During the second half, Jones continued his work in the racket while opposite, as usual in the playoffs, Diana Taurasi chained the baskets to bring back the Mercury. Well help by Brittney Griner, it is on a layup of the latter that Phoenix will arrive to pass before the end of the third quarter (72-71). The last ten minutes promised to be sharp, the match having already counted 16 changes of leader at this time of the meeting. And this was the case, Phoenix took a little lead in the first few minutes but without widening the gap, and it is Courtney Williams who knew how to bring back his equal thanks to a three points. The game was then completely different from what we saw at the start, with less pace and more grind on each possession. It’s 4 minutes from the end that Williams chose to get out of his box to plant a three-point with the fault before scoring again on the next possession to ignite the public in Connecticut. Despite this, the Mercury was able to keep its calm and Brittney Griner continued to hurt the Sun a lot by its size (27 points, 6 blocks). Phoenix was able to step aside at the best of times thanks to the contribution of DeWanna Bonner. Phoenix will win 96-86 and join Seattle in the semifinals. Diana Taurasi is now 13 wins for 0 losses in direct elimination matches. Impressive.
Well – BG pic.twitter.com/0oQoTiD87O
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) 24 aot 2018
- Preview of the semi-finals: The last resting teams enter the battle
No more one-match rounds, now we’re switching from a best of 5 match format.
Atlanta (2me) will face Washington who emerges from a great victory against the Sparks, all without getting too tired and will therefore have the advantage of being in the rhythm from the first game. The Dream players, deprived ofAngel McCoughtry since his injury, will have a lot of work to do to contain the duo Elena Delle Donne – Kristi Toliver. But we’re talking about one of the best defenses of the regular season here, and there’s no doubt Nicky Collen already has a plan to stop the Mystics. Ct attack, we can count on Tiffany Hayes to make even more baskets in the absence of McCoughtry. Atlanta is not the favorite since the latter’s injury but you can be sure the players won’t give up. First match Sunday evening 9 p.m.
In the second duel of the semi-finals, Seattle (1is) will therefore face Phoenix. We are impatiently awaiting the entry into Breanna Stewart, one of the favorites for the title of MVP, who will not be idle in the racket against Brittney Griner. It will be a duel of attacks since we are simply talking about the 2me and 4me regular season league attacks. Outside, the pair Jewell Loyd – Sue Bird will have to do her best to contain Diana Taurasi and hers. The Storm, which has emerged from an impressive season of efficiency and consistency, will have the home advantage. First match Sunday evening 11 p.m.
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