Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks

LA- 71
Seattle- 70


Ugh....

As a Storm fan, the number one thing you're taught is that the Sparks are the enemy and beating them is a number one priority (ok, maybe that's exaggerating). As I sat here on my couch listening to the game via my laptop, I felt like this was a game that we could realistically win despite all the injuries the team has. The Storm did not play a great game by any means, but by halftime they were only down by three. That boosted my confidence even more. Also, Lauren Jackson hadn't played exceedingly much so I felt like we could have her in the game more during the second half, which is always a plus.

Despite a minor collapse in the third quarter, the Storm ended it pretty darn well and the lead was only four points for the Sparks. The fourth quarter was even better because it seemed like the team would always pull close when the Sparks made a mini-run.

In fact, the only time the game turned sour for me was....well...with a few minutes (I think) in the last quarter. What happened? Turnovers and mental errors capped by an incredibly strange one at the buzzer. The Storm fouled a Sparks player when they were down by two to stop the clock. Jessica Moore misses the first free throw and makes the second. Mission accomplished. The Storm had a chance to tie. They inbound the ball to Betty Lennox, the Storm's ever confident clutch player. She takes the ball all the way to the basket. At this point, people in the arena are thinking she's going to kick it out to an available Storm player on the wing. But no. She takes the layup. Final Score? We lose by one point.

Shocked. Dazed.

What made it even worse was that, apparently, she jumped into her teammate's arms and began celebrating as if she had tied the game. After the game, the coach said that she was trying to get a foul and thought she had it. Someone on a Storm fan forum said it right when he said that you can't depend on the refs to make that last foul call unless it was a completely obvious, hard foul. Not with the game on the line.

The result? The Seattle Storm have fallen to 14-14 for the year, making the last few weeks of my summer even more interesting as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.

I was in shock for a little bit after the game, but this game has helped me realize a lot of things about me and my love for the Seattle Storm, which will be explained in the next entry.

Still, it's on to the next game. Storm vs. the Minnesota Lynx will be on Tuesday. Check it out. It should be a fun ride to the postseason. Or at least one with a lot of excitement and energy.

GO STORM!