Kelsey Plum points out crucial ‘advantage’ after Sparks snap losing streak appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
LOS ANGELES – With the Los Angeles Sparks looking to snap a three-game losing streak against the visiting Portland Fire, All-Star guard Kelsey Plum did not take any shots in the first half. Plum is leading the league in scoring, but with the Fire pressuring her and sending two defenders at her, she wasn’t able to find the space to operate that she’s been accustomed to.
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But with their offensive maestro unable to get herself going, the Sparks turned to their post duo in Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby to help carry the load in the first half. The pair was able to carry that momentum into the second half while Plum was finally able to get into a rhythm offensively en route to a 89-72 win.
Ogwumike and Hamby were able to get going due to their relentless activity on the glass, taking advantage of the Fire sending multiple defenders at Plum. That effort is what Plum believes the Sparks need to show on a consistent basis.
“I think they got going because of the offensive rebounds, especially if they’re going to send a double. Then that means you’re going to be playing an advantage, four on three on the other side and you got to really crash the glass,” Plum told a small group of reporters postgame. “We did a great job of that and that’s what we need every night. So we got to continue to do that and we have shooters so we have the spacing.
“A lot of times too, in a pick and roll, you switch and now a big is on a guard and you have the advantage in the rebounding battle. I saw it was a great, consistent effort and it paid off.”
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Indeed, it was the rebounding battle where Ogwumike and Hamby were able to do their damage, specifically on the offensive end. Both finished in double figures with Ogwumike pulling down 17 rebounds while Hamby grabbed 12. Both had six offensive rebounds each, tying a WNBA record for two teammates having at least six offensive boards, as per Sparks PR.
Those offensive rebounds turned into second chance scoring opportunities with the post duo leading the team in scoring. Hamby dropped a game-high 22 points while Ogwumike added 20. The duo shot a combined 57 percent from the field.
The effort came a game after the pair failed to score in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Dallas Wings. Following that game, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts didn’t believe anything was amiss with her veteran post players, and after the Fire win, Hamby acknowledged that the emphasis on the glass
“I think just being super intentional about our spacing,” Hamby said during her postgame press conference. “I feel like each game we’re still kind of learning each other more and getting more comfortable. But I would say more so the spacing and then just crashing and creating second opportunities.”
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The Sparks actually tied the Fire in overall rebounds at 42 each. And they only came up with one more offensive rebound, 15-14. But the energy from Hamby and Ogwumike alone was enough to get the win. The Sparks are second to last in the league in rebounding at 29.3, just above the Fire’s 27.6 coincidently.
But for the team to try and carry this momentum into stringing together a couple of wins, they’re going to need that effort consistently.
Related: Sparks’ Kelsey Plum shares thoughts on playing with Kate Martin
Related: ‘Frustrated’ Lynne Roberts hints at lineup change amid poor defense
