Storm (1-2) at Los Angeles Sparks (0-1)

Staples Center | Los Angeles

June 14, 2015 | 2 p.m.

Broadcast: Live Access, TWC SN, TWC D

 

2015 vs. Los Angeles: 1-0

Last meeting: W 86-61 (June 6, 2015)

Leading scorer: Renee Montgomery 19

 

The Storm has now dropped the first two games of its three-game road trip but looks to get right on Sunday when it takes on its Opening Night foe Los Angeles at Staples Center.

Seattle will have played three of its first four on the road and will get to spend some well deserved time at home as four of the next six games will be played at KeyArena.

WHO TO WATCH: Jenna O’Hea

Jenna O’Hea was sharp in the first half against Minnesota and scored eight points, including two threes, against the Western Conference runner-up. Her career-high is 16 and it came against Los Angeles, her former team, on Aug. 15, 2014.

LAST TIME VS. LOS ANGELES

Seattle beat Los Angeles 86-61 at KeyArena on June 6 for the season opener. Renee Montgomery led the way with 19 points off the bench and Crystal Langhorne dropped 18. The Storm bench outscored the Sparks’ second unit 40-16.

MONTGOMERY PACES STORM

Renee Montgomery has now played five games with Seattle (including the preseason) and has quickly made an impact on the team. Coming off the bench, she is the team’s leading scorer at 13.0 per game and is tied with Sue Bird for the team lead in assists at 4.3 per contest.

BIRD FLYING UP THE CHARTS

Sue Bird has been one of the best players in the WNBA since arriving in Seattle in 2002 and she is now climbing her way into the upper ranks of the league’s all-time scoring list. Entering Sunday’s action, Bird has 4,838 career points and is three points ahead New York’s Swin Cash for 14th on the all-time list. She is also closing in on Sheryl Swoopes for 13th on the list and trails the great by 37 points.

‘THE BENCH MOB’

The bench continues to impress in the early part of the season and has been a difference maker through the first three games. In the Storm’s victory over Los Angeles on Opening Night, the bench scored 40 points and was led by Renee Montgomery with 19. They followed up that performance with 29 more points against Tulsa and 30 against Minnesota. The Storm’s second unit is now averaging 33.0 points per game.

SHARING HOME OPENERS

Seattle and Los Angeles met on June 6 in the Storm’s home opener and the matchup on Sunday will be the first game at home for the Sparks. Los Angeles has won three straight against the Storm at Staples Center.

SCOUTING LOS ANGELES

The Sparks have been sitting and waiting for eight days between games since their season-opening loss at Seattle on June 6. It snapped a five-game winning streak for Los Angeles against the Storm. In that game, LA was held to 34.5 percent shooting from the field despite Amanda Beard’s 20 points and Jantel Lavender’s double-double performance. Nneka Ogwumike did not play in the first matchup due to an ankle injury.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Los Angeles has been banged up during the preseason and its roster changes during the offseason has shortened its bench. Getting out on the run and wearing down the Sparks’ lineup should work in the Storm’s favor. The Seattle bench scored 40 points in the last meeting, including two in double figures. Taking away long runs will also be critical as extended scoring droughts against Tulsa and Minnesota hurt Seattle.