Seattle Storm smother Chicago Sky, 94-76
SEATTLE (AP) - Lauren Jackson figures the Seattle Storm should be able to play every game as well as they did against the Chicago Sky.
Jackson scored 33 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Storm to a 94-76 victory over the Sky on Tuesday night.
Jackson, the league's leading scorer who came in averaging 22.5 per game, had 16 points and eight rebounds in the first half for the Storm (7-6), then put up 15 in the third quarter.
Seattle led by as many as 16 in the first half and 23 in the third quarter.
"It's funny how the team goes from one extreme to the other," said Jackson, as she compared two wins in a row this week to two consecutive losses last week. "Hopefully, we stay on this roll. Honestly, this is what we should be doing every game.
"Losing is obviously frustrating and stirs up a lot of stuff. Winning just makes everything better again."
Jia Perkins scored 19 and Candice Dupree had 18 points for the Sky (6-8), which lost its third consecutive game. Dupree entered the game averaging 19.7 points, third best in the league.
The Storm are 6-0 when Jackson scores more than 20 points in a game and 1-6 when she doesn't. She scored at least 30 points for the fifth time this season.
Jackson came within two points of her career high, which she tied on Sunday in a win at Los Angeles. Jackson went to the bench with 7:37 left in the game and the Storm ahead by 20.
"She's probably the best post player in the world," said Dupree, who defended Jackson. "The best that we could've done is try and double team as much as possible, be physical with her and try to frustrate her. She still had 30-plus."
Jackson spent much of the game defending Dupree, who scored only two points in the opening quarter and nine in the first half.
Jackson shot 11-for-20 from the field and 9-for-10 on free throws. She made six free throws in the third quarter. Jackson scored most of her points on inside baskets, but also made two 3-pointers in 30 minutes.
"Lauren played well and when she plays well we're very difficult to guard," Storm coach Anne Donovan said.
Seattle guard Sue Bird, who had six assists to move within four of 1,000 in her career, liked the differences she saw against Chicago compared to the games last week.
"We just kind of sailed," Bird said. "This was a good game for us after some tough losses, a tough loss at Minnesota. This was one we really needed, a really good win on our home court."
Bird said no big secret or breakthrough turned the Storm around the last two games.
"We just weren't playing well," Bird said. "Everyone tries to search for these answers and this magical reason. The shots weren't going in and we weren't hustling and you can go down the list."
It helps to play with Jackson.
"We sat back and watched her do her thing," Seattle guard Betty Lennox said. "She's amazing. We love to have her on our team. Anytime there is single coverage, we can just sit out there and let her go to work."
Chicago starting guard Dominque Canty missed the game with a sprained ankle. She is listed as day-to-day heading into Friday's game at Sacramento. Canty averages a team-high 4.2 assists and ranks second at 10.8 points per game.
Jackson scored 33 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Storm to a 94-76 victory over the Sky on Tuesday night.
Jackson, the league's leading scorer who came in averaging 22.5 per game, had 16 points and eight rebounds in the first half for the Storm (7-6), then put up 15 in the third quarter.
Seattle led by as many as 16 in the first half and 23 in the third quarter.
"It's funny how the team goes from one extreme to the other," said Jackson, as she compared two wins in a row this week to two consecutive losses last week. "Hopefully, we stay on this roll. Honestly, this is what we should be doing every game.
"Losing is obviously frustrating and stirs up a lot of stuff. Winning just makes everything better again."
Jia Perkins scored 19 and Candice Dupree had 18 points for the Sky (6-8), which lost its third consecutive game. Dupree entered the game averaging 19.7 points, third best in the league.
The Storm are 6-0 when Jackson scores more than 20 points in a game and 1-6 when she doesn't. She scored at least 30 points for the fifth time this season.
Jackson came within two points of her career high, which she tied on Sunday in a win at Los Angeles. Jackson went to the bench with 7:37 left in the game and the Storm ahead by 20.
"She's probably the best post player in the world," said Dupree, who defended Jackson. "The best that we could've done is try and double team as much as possible, be physical with her and try to frustrate her. She still had 30-plus."
Jackson spent much of the game defending Dupree, who scored only two points in the opening quarter and nine in the first half.
Jackson shot 11-for-20 from the field and 9-for-10 on free throws. She made six free throws in the third quarter. Jackson scored most of her points on inside baskets, but also made two 3-pointers in 30 minutes.
"Lauren played well and when she plays well we're very difficult to guard," Storm coach Anne Donovan said.
Seattle guard Sue Bird, who had six assists to move within four of 1,000 in her career, liked the differences she saw against Chicago compared to the games last week.
"We just kind of sailed," Bird said. "This was a good game for us after some tough losses, a tough loss at Minnesota. This was one we really needed, a really good win on our home court."
Bird said no big secret or breakthrough turned the Storm around the last two games.
"We just weren't playing well," Bird said. "Everyone tries to search for these answers and this magical reason. The shots weren't going in and we weren't hustling and you can go down the list."
It helps to play with Jackson.
"We sat back and watched her do her thing," Seattle guard Betty Lennox said. "She's amazing. We love to have her on our team. Anytime there is single coverage, we can just sit out there and let her go to work."
Chicago starting guard Dominque Canty missed the game with a sprained ankle. She is listed as day-to-day heading into Friday's game at Sacramento. Canty averages a team-high 4.2 assists and ranks second at 10.8 points per game.