The Sparks playing without Chamique Holdsclaw and the Storm playing with Wendy Palmer appeared to be one of the big factors as the Storm rolled to a 90-67 win before almost 9,700 fans in Seattle.
Holdsclaw, who is on an excused absence to deal with a family matter, was clearly missed as the Storm outscored the Sparks 32-22 in the paint and outrebounded them 31-22. Other than Lisa Leslie, who led L.A. with 24 points, the Sparks post players combined for six points and missed a lot of lay ups.
Sparks coach Joe Bryant said Palmer was the difference. "The wild card for them tonight was Wendy," Bryant said. "For her to get 18 and 12, that's really the difference in the game. Betty Lennox, Sue Bird, Jackson, we kind of kept them at bay. But Palmer put an old-school lesson upon us."
Anne Donovan agreed. “She was so outstanding for us in so many ways,” Donovan said. “She was just phenomenal – she gave us everything we needed from a statistical standpoint. Her energy, her spark, her leadership were invaluable.”
Sue Bird complemented Palmer's play with 13 points, 9 assists and 7 steals. "Sue played the perfect game," Donovan said of Bird. "That's exactly what we need from Sue Bird." The point guard was more aggressive on both ends of the floor after last season's disappointing loss to Houston in the playoffs.
One Storm player who did not play a great game is Betty Lennox. While she was still recovering from Friday's car accident, Steve Miller wonders if Lennox minds being the number three option in the Storm offense. Lennox says she doesn't. "I really don't have any comment on that," Lennox said. "Anne Donovan is the coach and she directs what she wants. I do what I'm asked to."
Overall the Storm were pleased to reverse the drubbing they received from the Sparks in last season's home opener. "After last year, oh my God," Jackson said of her satisfaction in retaliating for that 18-point loss . "I was making up for last year."
In other great news for Storm fans - Kevin Pelton will once again be providing live updates from home games on the team's Web site.
Holdsclaw, who is on an excused absence to deal with a family matter, was clearly missed as the Storm outscored the Sparks 32-22 in the paint and outrebounded them 31-22. Other than Lisa Leslie, who led L.A. with 24 points, the Sparks post players combined for six points and missed a lot of lay ups.
Sparks coach Joe Bryant said Palmer was the difference. "The wild card for them tonight was Wendy," Bryant said. "For her to get 18 and 12, that's really the difference in the game. Betty Lennox, Sue Bird, Jackson, we kind of kept them at bay. But Palmer put an old-school lesson upon us."
Anne Donovan agreed. “She was so outstanding for us in so many ways,” Donovan said. “She was just phenomenal – she gave us everything we needed from a statistical standpoint. Her energy, her spark, her leadership were invaluable.”
Sue Bird complemented Palmer's play with 13 points, 9 assists and 7 steals. "Sue played the perfect game," Donovan said of Bird. "That's exactly what we need from Sue Bird." The point guard was more aggressive on both ends of the floor after last season's disappointing loss to Houston in the playoffs.
One Storm player who did not play a great game is Betty Lennox. While she was still recovering from Friday's car accident, Steve Miller wonders if Lennox minds being the number three option in the Storm offense. Lennox says she doesn't. "I really don't have any comment on that," Lennox said. "Anne Donovan is the coach and she directs what she wants. I do what I'm asked to."
Overall the Storm were pleased to reverse the drubbing they received from the Sparks in last season's home opener. "After last year, oh my God," Jackson said of her satisfaction in retaliating for that 18-point loss . "I was making up for last year."
In other great news for Storm fans - Kevin Pelton will once again be providing live updates from home games on the team's Web site.
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