  Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 2981 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
Sun eclipse Shock in Game 2 Joanne C. Gerstner / The Detroit News http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20060826/U PDATE/608260424 Many questions surrounded Saturday’s Game 2 of the WNBA Eastern Conference Finals. Could the Shock, on the road, close out the Sun to make it back to the Finals? Would the Sun find a way to revive their stagnant offense, especially getting Nykesha Sales and Margo Dydek involved? And would injured Sun star guard Katie Douglas try to play, despite a hairline fracture in her right foot? All answers worked out in favor of the Sun, as they defeated the Shock 77-68 at Mohegan Sun Arena. The Eastern Conference Finals are now tied at one, with the deciding Game 3 to be played at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Mohegan Sun. The winner advances to the WNBA Finals, playing the Sparks or Monarchs. The Sun found contributions that were lacking in Game 1, as Dydek, Douglas, and even Sales came through. Dydek scored a personal playoff high 17 points and Sales added 15. The hobbled Douglas scored six points, and had four rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes. Meanwhile, the Shock didn’t have much going on, save for the hot shooting of guard Deanna Nolan. She scored a game-high 27 points, shooting 12-for-17 off of nearly an all mid-range jumper attack. Shock starters Swin Cash, Katie Smith, and Ruth Riley were of little help, collectively shooting 6-for-31 from the field. Despite their offensive issues, the Shock managed to mount a furious comeback in the game’s waning moments. They cut the Sun’s lead from 12 to three in a two-minute span. Cash, scoreless until that point, started the charge through two scrappy post-up baskets around the three-minute mark. Cheryl Ford, who finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, followed with her first offensive rebound of the game and a putback. Nolan added a jumper in the lane with 52 seconds left, bringing the Shock to 70-67. But that was all the Shock could manage, as the Sun regrouped to win the game. “We kept our eye on the rim and kept shooting,” said Sun forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who had a team-high 18 points. The Sun were especially sharp from three-point range, hitting 5-for-9. The Shock were cold, shooting 1-for-8. The Shock played a lot of catch-up, again falling behind early. Douglas made a semi-surprise start, playing through her injury. She didn’t score in the first half, but seemed to give the Sun an emotional lift. The Shock clawed back to a one-point deficit by halftime, only to see the margin rip back open to 13 in the third. Dydek and Douglas exploited seams in the Shock defense. Dydek, who stands 7-2, finally used her height to punish the Shock. She was more active than in Game 1, attacking the basket. It was hard for the Shock to effectively stop her, thanks to her height and wingspan. Dydek ultimately stopped herself, thanks to drawing her fourth foul mid-way in the third quarter. The Sun parked Dydek for the rest of the third and almost all of the fourth, giving the Shock an opening to come back. Dydek returned with 50.2 seconds left in the game. Perhaps there was an early omen that the Shock were not destined to win the game. Coach Bill Laimbeer, at one point in the second quarter, was clearly more agitated than usual. His anger peaked when the Shock were called for a technical foul at 6:14 in the second quarter, after only having four players on the floor. Laimbeer thought the referees made the wrong call, as he thought having four players wasn’t illegal, and loudly voiced his displeasure. Laimbeer was wrong, as having too many - or too few - players on the floor is a technical foul. The call stood, prompting Laimbeer to turn heel and exclaim to his bench, “We’re getting hosed right now. Play through it.” The Shock kept playing, but things didn’t get much better. Quick Shots This is the Shock’s first loss of the playoffs, as they swept the opening roundFouls haunted the Shock, committing 23 to the Sun’s 18Douglas wore a custom-made orthotic on her right foot to help cushion her injured heel, as well as taking two anti-inflammatory shots to prepare to playThe Sun have only lost three games all season at home, with the Shock accounting for two of the losses The WNBA Finals are scheduled to start on Wednesday, Aug. 30. You can reach Joanne C. Gerstner at (313) 223-4644 or joanne.gerstner@detnews.com. | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 2982 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
The Shock Are Going to the Finals!!!! DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEETroit BasketBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAALL! | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 3679 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 69.47.100.44 |
I'm still a little disappointed to see the feeble coverage by most of the local media on this. | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1226 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 35.11.212.197 |
not a good first game of the Finals... a 24 point loss at home... | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 2984 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.251.27.41 |
Yes they took it on the chin... | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 2988 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
But they got it done last night! | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 2992 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
The Shock are coming home to the Joe for the final game! http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20060906/NEW S99/60906034 | ||
Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 584 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 71.159.22.100 |
Let's make it loud, Detroit! If they don't sell out, then this city's a sham! Sellin out for the Lions.. | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 3005 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
Congrats to the Shock 2006 WNBA Champions!!!!!!!! | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 3722 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 69.47.100.44 |
None too shabby. I guess they'll be changing the name of the street the Palace is on again. | ||
Ltorivia485 Member Username: Ltorivia485 Post Number: 2784 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 68.73.196.174 |
DEE-TROIT! BAS-KET-BALL!!!!!!! | ||
Naturalsister Member Username: Naturalsister Post Number: 811 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.30.31.39 |
Epic! later - naturalsister |
