Sparks struggle with Mercurys zone defense during

It appeared no lead was protected during the Sparks’ matchup against the Mercury on Tuesday night time before Phoenix rallied for a 94-87 win at the Galen Center, snapping its three-game dropping streak.

The Sparks have misplaced 9 of their past 11 video games, but both groups are still combating for a playoff spot with fewer than a dozen video games remaining. Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said pregame that the gamers know what is at stake during the ultimate stretch of the season.

The Sparks (12-20) sit in tenth place, one spot forward of the Mercury (13-22) and exterior of the eight-team playoff cut line, with 12 video games remaining.

Kelsey Plum, who was not too long ago traded from the Sparks to the Mercury, didn’t play during the first matchup against her former staff because of a decrease left leg injury.

“There are no gimme games in this league for anybody, whether you are in first or last — every game is hard,” Roberts said.

Dearica Hamby and Rae Burrell led the Sparks with 19 each and Nneka Ogwumike added 18 factors and 9 rebounds. Cameron Brink completed with seven factors and 5 rebounds off the bench.

After a slow start during a loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, the Sparks splashed 23 factors in the first quarter.

The Sparks claimed a 47-44 halftime lead after a steal by Burrell, which she adopted with a artful reverse layup in the ultimate seconds.

The groups traded the lead throughout the third quarter.

The Sparks pulled forward in the fourth, but Phoenix tied it 81-81 with 3:33 remaining after a bucket from the Mercury’s top scorer Noémie Brochant.

Brochant led the staff with 24 factors and 5 steals, making it troublesome for the Sparks to rally.

Ariel Atkins cut the deficit to 90-87 after banking in a three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining, but the Mercury made their free throws and pressured the Sparks’ offense.

The Sparks had issue fixing issues brought about by the Mercury’s zone defense. And dominating the paint for stretches of the sport, Hamby had 4 turnovers, including two in the fourth.

“It was kind of those one-on-one on the inside before they went zone,” Hamby said. “I feel like the second half was every time I went to my move, they were right there and on time with the turnovers.”

Roberts said that she expects to see the same zone defense on Thursday when the Sparks journey to New York to face the Liberty (20-14).

“The ball did not move. We were trying to throw dimes when you need to make the easy play,” Roberts said. “But that’s what zone does, you know? If we had shot better, they probably would have gotten out of it.”