It wasn’t pretty - yet as Al Davis says, “just win, baby.”
In a game dominated by a mix of stingy defense and missed shots, the New York Liberty had no choice but to burn their midnight offensive oils as they labored to a 60-56 win over the Detroit Shock in game 1 of the WNBA Eastern Conference Finals.
13 of center Janel McCarville’s 17 points carried the team through a haphazard first half. Then the team carried her through the second, rallying especially in the fourth quarter, in which they outscored Detroit 24-14.
“They played us a little bit differently than they have all year, than any team has all year,” says McCarville. “Shooters didn’t get the looks that they normally have gotten. Obviously, it left me one-on-one at times and we tried to exploit.”
New York had to gradually improve their shooting percentage, which stood at 18.8 percent at the end of an 8-point first quarter. They finished the game at 35.9 percent.
Clutch lay-ups and free throws by Liberty guard Erin Thorn (5 points) helped put the game out of reach in the closing seconds.
“Erin is clutch from the free throw line…I think she sealed two games for us now shooting from the line,” adds McCarville. “She knows what needs to get done, and I would not want anyone else on the team shooting those free throws.”
The Liberty now find themselves one win away from their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2002, but must win the clincher on the road in Michigan.
“We are going to focus on limiting their transition basketball,” says forward Shameka Christon, who came away with a game-high 6 rebounds while scoring 4 points. “It is good to get the win at home, the first one.”
Shock Recharging
Detroit now has to win the remaining two games of the best-of-three series to make a third straight appearance in the WNBA Finals. Coach Bill Laimbeer says playing “smart basketball” will be key to two straight wins.
“That was disappointing,” says a dejected Laimbeer about Friday night‘s contest. “Missed shots I can live with. I can’t live with the fact that we made mental errors. We pride ourselves on being a smart basketball team and for two and a half quarters we played smart…the other one and a half we played dumb.”
The Shock had comparable problems getting shots to fall, finishing the game with a 33.8 percent rating from the field. Guard Deanna Nolan played all 40 minutes of the contest, and finished with a consistent game-high 22 points.
“I thought we played great defense,” Nolan says. “We have to tighten up and not allow them to drive and not try to help as much, and give up the two and cut down the three’s.”
Series Moves to Michigan
The two teams now meet on the arena floor at Eastern Michigan University, as an event at the Palace of Auburn Hills has moved the series away from its usual venue. A similar scenario forced the Los Angeles Sparks out of the Staples Center during the 2006 Western Conference Finals. Some still blame that for L.A.’s loss to Sacramento in game 2 of that series.
In this series though players on both sides appear focused on representing their conference in the finals.
“Most of our games with Detroit go down to the wire,” says Erin Thorn. “Whoever bears it and fights a tough fight will end up on top.”
Game 2 of the series is Sunday and 3, if necessary is set for Monday.
