Aces and Wings have met in the playoffs once before. In 2008, when they were the Silver Stars and Shock, they met in the finals. The Shock swept the SASS convincingly.
hopefully this’ll be the more eventful series. it’s ok if the Wings come out flat in Game 1 – but only as long as they regroup and snag Game 2. if they come out strong in Game 1 but still lose, i don’t think it’ll bode well for them the rest of the series unless they’re able to keep coming out strong.
Wings will have more depth and potential for X-factors than the Aces, though, that’s for sure. that Aces bench beyond Clark couldn’t positively affect a game if it were playing a bunch of college kids, let alone fellow pros.
The Wings were being handed this game with what should have been an easy win, yet they managed to score just ten points in the fourth quarter and airball numerous shots in the final minutes. Sabally was 2-15, Arike was 8-24 and Howard was 5-12. They should have forced a game 4 but their shot selection last night was horrendous.
the open 3pt look Natasha Howard got in the last seconds of the game i thought was ok. didn’t love it, but it was a decently drawn-up play, and i think it was good that Ogunbowale wasn’t involved in that play (would’ve been too predictable). if Howard’s shot had even caught iron, there would’ve been a better chance of an offensive rebound… but alas.
last night’s loss wasn’t just on Howard, and really it wasn’t on her all that much compared to it being on Sabally & Ogunbowale’s tough shooting night + Dallas' poor play calling in the 4Q up until that play. Trammell needed to reel in her group once they proved they couldn’t get anything going, but she didn’t – at least not in time. not a good coaching choice. and while i get why Sabally came back in for Kuier, Kuier was having a better, more effective night than Sabally, so it still mildly surprised me that Sabally (who is still sort of young) was trusted to make an impact after having not the whole game. like, i get it – it’s Sabally we’re talking about – but i also still sort of don’t.