The Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx are one win away from meeting in the WNBA Finals after double-digit victories in the first two games of their respective semifinal series.The defending champion Lynx are seeking their fourth crown in six years, buoyed by a quartet that won Olympic gold with the U.S. national team in Rio. The Sparks have a shot at their first title since 2002 behind league MVP Nneka Ogwumike and two-time MVP Candace Parker.In St. Paul, Minnesota, Maya Moore scored 26 points, Lindsay Whalen had 12 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter and the Lynx beat the Phoenix Mercury 96-86 Friday night. Diana Taurasi had 31 points for the Mercury, who lost the series opener by 15 points.In Los Angeles, Parker had 20 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in the Sparks 99-84 win over the Chicago Sky. Ogwumike added 18 points.Reserve Clarissa Dos Santos scored 15 points and Jamierra Faulkner added 14 off the bench for the Sky, who lost Game 1 by 20 points.Here are some things to watch when the semifinals resume Sunday:GOING HOMEThe Mercury started the playoffs in unprecedented fashion. Due to a combination of their No. 8 seed and the new playoff format, theyve had four playoff games on the road and none at home. After winning single-elimination games at Indiana and New York, they looked flat in two losses in Minnesota.We knew it was going to be a tall task, Taurasi said. Were not the freshest team, I can tell you that. Were not the youngest team either. But weve just got to find a way.THE MICROWAVELeague sixth woman of the year Jantel Lavender hit 10 of 11 shots and scored 20 points, matching Parkers total in the Sparks win.Shes a microwave. Thats what I call her, Parker said. She comes and she heats up.Ogwumike praised Lavenders willingness to do whatever is needed. Lavender had started the last two seasons before coming off the bench all year for the Sparks.Shell set a screen, run, box out, Ogwumike said. Shes that front court push that helps us control the flow of our game.GET GRINER GOINGPhoenix center Brittney Griner has been a non-factor in the first two games against the Lynx. She scored 16 points but had just two rebounds and was a minus-17 in the Game 1 blowout. Griner picked up two early fouls Friday night and was pulled less than two minutes in. She returned five minutes later and she got a third foul. Griner finished with two points and two rebounds in 18 minutes.This happens in the game of basketball, Taurasi said. And the way she reacts to it is going to tell us a lot about her. And I have the utmost confidence that shes going to come ready to play when we get home.WHERES THE D?Minnesota isnt happy with its defensive performance so far. Phoenix is averaging 90.5 point in the first two games. The Lynx allowed 77.0 points per game this season, and WNBA coach of the year Cheryl Reeve hopes going on the road will hone the defense.Weve been the best road team for reasons of playing great defense and rebounding the basketball, she said. Offense is not going to be easy, so the mindset is if we dont score, they dont score.BRAZILIAN FLAIRClarissa Dos Santos led Chicago with 15 points off the bench. The 6-foot-1 center averages 2.9 points as the second-best Brazilian on the Sky roster. Erika de Souza, a 10-year veteran, averages 5.8 points.Her verticals not the greatest, Chicago coach Pokey Chatman said of Dos Santos. Her attitude and effort is all you talk about in coaching. Shes able to affect the game. Her play and her energy spilled over to the other players. Well make sure we take that into Sunday.---Freelance writer Patrick Donnelly in St. Paul, Minnesota, contributed to this report. Cheap Jordan 12 Flu Game . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. Wholesale Authentic Jordans . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. http://www.wholesalejordan12.com/discount-jordan-4-wholesale.html . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Discount Air Jordan 12 . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. Air Jordan 4 Wholesale .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. FORT WORTH, Texas -- IndyCars rescheduled race at Texas Motor Speedway will have a few perks and some reduced prices.The track announced plans for the resumption of the Firestone 600 on Thursday. The race will restart Aug. 27. It was initially postponed a day in June and then halted because of more rain after 71 of 248 laps.In an effort to lure fans back, track officials are providing a driver autograph session, $1 hot dogs and drinks, free vintage IndyCar T-shirts and reduced pricing for general admission tickets on the front-stretch.Also, anyone who purchases a ticket to the NASCAR race at Texas will get a free ticket to the IndyCar race.Our loyal and dedicated fans went through a challenging race weekend in June due to the two days of inclement weather, and we wanted to show the speedways appreciation to them in a variety of ways for the completion of the Firestone 600 on August 27, track president Eddie Gossage said.We want them to come back and enjoy some incredible racing at 220 miles per hour as well as various discounts and perks to enhance the evening.For those who did not attend the Firestone 600 in June, this is a great bargain to see what IndyCar racing is all about and see some of the fastesst racing in the world.ddddddddddddomplete discounts include:-An autograph session featuring all drivers on the main concourse prior to the race.-All front-stretch seating, including premium sections, will be general admission and priced at $28. This is a 29 percent reduction from the least expensive initial Firestone 600 individual ticket and reflects the percentage of the race that already has been run at this stage. Children 12 and under can get in for $10.-The purchase of any ticket for the Sprint Cup Series race (Nov. 6) will include a free general admission ticket to the Firestone 600. The offer ends Aug. 27.-Select dining spots on the front stretch will offer $1 hot dogs and Coca-Cola beverages while supplies last.-The first 3,000 fans will receive a free vintage Indy-car T-shirt, compliments of Speedway Motorsports Inc.-All fans purchasing outside camping for the June 11 race will be upgraded to available prime camping spots in the infield at no additional charge. Camping opens Friday, Aug. 26.-The pits and garage will be open to all fans at the conclusion of the race. ' ' '
