"Sandy Brondello called the Tempo's first game ugly. The start to Game 3 was downright hideous. Lids on the rims, butter on fingers, and every other negative, belaboured metaphor. Turnovers, blown defensive assignments and smoked layups had the score at 21-2 for the Sparks in short order. Toronto's star backcourt threw two of their first three possessions out of bounds. Development player Nina Milic got a quick hook from her first start after awkwardly dribbling into a turnover off a keeper play. There was blown weakside help and switches for easy line drives to the rim. A coach's nightmare."
"But the game turned on a dime when the Tempo's rookies got involved. Kiki Rice swiftly removed the lids from the rim. Teonni Key made her mark with imposing, physical play. A 22-8 run built on the rookies' energy, willful and skillful play by Slim and timely cutting by Sabally had Toronto back in the thick of it. The Tempo's lack of rim protection was proving difficult to overcome - they allowed 22 paint points on 11-of-14 shooting in the first half - but a unique guard tandem did their best."
"It was 20-year-old rookie Kiki Rice seemingly getting locked up against the sideline but pulling a rabbit out of a hat with a skillful dribbe and a step-back 3. Then Slim picking Rae Burrell's pocket and running out for the easy 2. The 32-year-old vet made another tough scoop layup through traffic, cutting the deficit to five as halftime neared."
"The second half started similarly awry. Although this time instead of self-inflicted wounds it was a parade to the rim for LA. Dearica Hamby and Nneka Ogwumike kept bulldozing downhill and a Erica Wheele"
Toronto showed resilience after a disastrous early start against Los Angeles, falling behind 21-2 due to turnovers, blown defensive assignments, and missed opportunities. The first quarter featured out-of-bounds possessions, an early hook for Nina Milic, and weakside breakdowns that allowed easy drives to the rim. The game shifted when rookies Kiki Rice and Teonni Key contributed physical, skillful play, sparking a 22-8 run that brought Toronto back into contention. Toronto still struggled with rim protection, allowing 22 paint points on 11-of-14 shooting in the first half. Kiki Rice hit a step-back three and made key plays, while Slim stole the ball and scored, and Sabally’s cutting helped narrow the deficit. The second half began with Los Angeles attacking the rim again.
Read at Raptors Republic
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