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MINNEAPOLIS -- Sylvia Fowles admitted she was almost too hyped up at times Tuesday. She wanted a victory in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals badly, and knew it would take the kind of defensive effort her Minnesota Lynx are known for -- but didnt quite get enough of in their loss in the opener.Knowing this was a must-win night, I just let it all out on the floor, said Fowles after Minnesotas 79-60 victory over Los Angeles at Target Center. And my teammates respond well when I show that leadership.At one point, though, she was so intense that Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve was about to sub her out.I had to look at her with the evil eye across the court, like, Im all right! Fowles said, smiling. And she was like, OK, shes all right.Fowles was more than all right, actually. The WNBAs Defensive Player of the Year was the dominant force that the Lynx needed, reminding everyone yet again how critical it was that Minnesota made the trade last year to bring her here.Fowles had 13 points and 15 rebounds, leading the Lynxs dominance on the boards, 46-32. The Lynx have won the rebounding battle four of the five times the teams have met this season. But twice, its been by double digits -- in their first meeting on June 21 and Tuesday.This was Minnesotas third win this season against Los Angeles, but the score was close in the previous two. Tuesday, it was the second and fourth quarters that really made the difference, as the Lynx outscored the Sparks 46-25 in those periods. This one tied for the lowest point total the Sparks have had this season; they lost 78-60 at Seattle on Sept. 11.Defensively, we were way better today, Reeve said. I just thought our commitment to our concepts was better. I dont know that we could have been worse than what we did last game as far as the types of easy baskets we gave up, so obviously we cleaned some things up. I was happy about that.Los Angeles Nneka Ogwumike, the leagues MVP this season, was efficient as usual. She just didnt get many shots, going 5 of 6 from the field and 4 of 6 from the line for a team-high 14 points. Sparks center Candace Parker was 3 of 12 from the field and held to six points.I think we limited them from what they do well, Fowles said. Our defense gets us going, and once that happens, our offense flows more smoothly.Fowles was primarily responsible for guarding Ogwumike, and Rebekkah Brunson was on Parker. Post players Natasha Howard and Janel McCarville didnt play a lot of minutes, but both came in and were effective as well.The posts are the backbone of our team and our defense, Lynx point guard Lindsay Whalen said. Theyre so strong; theyre all fighters and are relentless. They showed it tonight with their play on both ends, but defensively they were really impressive.In Sundays opener, a 78-76 L.A. victory, the Lynx put a lot of pressure on the Sparks, but they also surrendered some backdoor cuts for some of those easy baskets that so irritated Reeve.Today, they were a little less aggressive in that aspect, and that worked for them, Sparks guard Kristi Toliver said of the Lynxs defensive approach. And we missed a lot of shots. But I think the main thing that triggered their defensive effectiveness is that we werent getting the stops that we wanted. We werent getting the rebounds, and we werent able to run.When we did, thats when we were able to make that surge and get the game back to within three points in the third quarter.But there was something else that was obvious, and both Toliver and Sparks coach Brian Agler pointed it out.They really wanted to win. You could tell, and youve got to give them a lot of credit, Toliver said. We just kind of didnt do the things we wanted to do or should do. Well be able to go back and watch the film. We need to keep our composure and remain confident.Agler thought the want to factor that the Lynx had eventually overwhelmed the Sparks. Maya Moore had 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead Minnesota, and the team defense was the rock that the Lynx have so often relied on.We played like this game was more important to them than it was to us, and thats unfortunate, Agler said. You dont get these opportunities often. I was impressed with how they played tonight, and so well go back and regroup.The Lynx know its probably unlikely theyll hold the Sparks to 60 points again. But they also can be confident that when they play defensively like they have most of this season, thats difficult for any team to beat.Oh, yeah, and about Fowles evil eye -- it wasnt really that evil. Theres not a nicer person off court than Big Syl, but she did get her dander up a few times Tuesday, and Reeve was a little bit worried about that. But it all turned out OK.Im proud of Syl, Reeve said. She didnt always keep her cool, but ... she hung in there through what I thought was a really, really physical game for her. I told her thats what its all about.Game 3 is Friday in L.A. at 9 p.m. ET. Nike Air Max 90 Outlet .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Nike Air Max 90 From China . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. https://www.cheapnikeairmax90china.us/ . From filmmaker Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes), The Price of Gold revisits the saga that rocked the figure skating world ahead of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games: the assault on Nancy Kerrigan, and the plot that led its way back to her rival Tonya Harding. Clearance Nike Air Max 90 . Despite the cost, effort and an improved steroid test, its possible that very few -- if any -- positives will be detected, Dr. Richard Budgett told The Associated Press in an interview. "We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said. Fake Nike Air Max 90 . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. The first day of the group stages for the 2016 League of Legends World Championship (Worlds) is in the books and it did not disappoint. There were dominant performances from South Korea and surprising strength from North America, but also disappointment from China and Europe.The first day was also the stage for arguably the greatest upset in Worlds in the form of the International Wildcard team, INTZ e-Sports victory over Chinese powerhouse, Edward Gaming.Only ROX Tigers exited day one as the team with the least amount of battle scars. The South Korean powerhouse took a hit at the start from wildcard Albus Nox Luna, but still managed to take down the game in quick fashion.Winners of the day: INTZ e-Sports, Counter Logic Gaming, and Royal Never Give UpThe darlings of day one, INTZ e-Sports, never looked intimidated or outmatched against its Chinese opponents. The teams signature macro-intensive and slow-paced style was a direct contrast to Edward Gamings strength in team fighting and mid-game transition. INTZ controlled the vision game and punished EDG for being in the wrong position. In addition, the wildcard team took advantage of lane matchups at the top and mid lane to spotlight Felipe Yang Zhao and Gabriel tockers Claumann, respectively, as its core damage-dealers. While still early, it was a commanding victory, and could allude to a very fruitful tournament run.Counter Logic Gaming (CLG) was the small underdog and won its matchup against G2 Esports. The team took to balling up early and often to swarm G2 Esports cores and force advantageous fights for objective control. CLG curtailed its advantage with swift neutral objective control and snowballed its lead to the victory.Royal Never Give Up (RNG) showed off its new patient macro-intensive play to couple with the teams team fighting power, and it made mincemeat out of North Americas Team SoloMid. RNG lost in two lanes in the early game, but played smart and never forced fights, peeling off from any potential overextension. When the Chinese did go, they went hard, and two destructive fights helped ensure RNGs victory. Legendary support Cho Mata Se-hyeong and his Alistar play was truly a sight to see.Losers of the day: Europe, Edward Gaming and Team SoloMidEdward Gaming, thhe top seed from the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) and arguably the second-best team at Worlds, was outmatched in its opening game against Brazils INTZ e-Sports.dddddddddddd The team was crushed from a macro perspective and made key team fight miscues that led to huge power spikes for the wildcard. It may be one game, but EDGs macro weakness and weak early game could be further exploited.H2K-Gaming (H2K) lost in a game with its own style and pace. AHQ e-Sports Club took to a slower-paced match with the late game in mind. With a Baron-driven strategy, AHQ used the buff to barrel down H2Ks defenses. If H2K cannot win a game that caters to its style, it could be an early exit from Worlds.G2 Esports and Splyce drew winnable matchups against Counter Logic Gaming and Samsung Galaxy, respectively, but failed in all things execution. If it wasnt the early game pressure or team fighting decisions, it was a lack of focus in objective priority or map control. These two teams need emergency help and it may not come in the form of more group play.Meanwhile, North Americas supposed best hope looked sharp in some areas, but dismal in others. Dennis Svenskeren Johnsen was a highlight on his Lee Sin, but the duo of Yiliang Doublelift Peng and rookier Vincent Biofrost Wang didnt look to be on the same page as their teammates. Its still early in Groups, but it wasnt a promising showing against the Chinese powerhouse, RNG.Overall, Europe has kicked off Worlds with a disappointing 0-3 start.Team that needs improvement: Samsung GalaxySamsung Galaxy won its match against Splyce, but it was not a sure thing for some of the match. This was a team that emphasized control and excellent lane adaptations to snowball any small advantage, but it required a Baron push to finally end the game in victory. For a team that identified with discipline, Samsung Galaxy nearly lost control of the game due to Splyces comeback potential and frenetic fighting style. Mid laner Lee Crown Min-ho faced his best matchup in Splyce and was a star, but it will take more for continued success. It will only get tougher for the South Korean lineup. ' ' '
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