Both teams will have a similar mission Wednesday when the expansion Toronto Tempo visit the Chicago Sky: Stop the losses at two in a row.
The Sky (3-3) have dropped two straight at home after an 85-75 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday.
Chicago shot only 31.5% (23-for-73) from the field, including 20.7% (6-for-29) from 3-point range.
Sky coach Tyler Marsh feels that part of the reason for the team’s recent shooting woes is a lack of consistent ball movement.
“I think over the course of the first several games, we were really good at that, and we’ve gotten stagnant over the past couple,” Marsh said. “It hasn’t been for long durations, but it’s been at important moments.”
One bright spot was center Kamilla Cardoso, who scored 17 points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field and 9-for-9 on free throws. She also led the team with seven rebounds. Skylar Diggins had 13 points, six rebounds and a team-leading six assists.
Marsh believes the Sky’s 3-point shooting should improve because they are generating open looks.
“We just haven’t knocked them down yet,” he said. “We expect that number to turn.”
The Tempo (3-4) are coming off a 99-80 home loss Saturday to their expansion sisters, the Portland Fire.
“We didn’t play anywhere near to our potential,” Tempo coach Sandy Brondello said. “It was disappointing. We had that lead at 39-30 (in the second quarter) and they took a timeout and then it went all downhill. I just think we got away from our identity. Our defense is very average at the moment. We have to find solutions for that.”
She mentioned ball movement as one of the many problems. The Tempo shot 30-for-66 (45.5%) from the field but were 6-for-25 (24%) from 3-point territory. The Fire dominated the fourth quarter, 33-19, when the Tempo went 1-for-6 on 3-point attempts.
“We’re facing some adversity and sometimes you need to get slapped in the face to make some changes and be better,” Brondello said.
Marina Mabrey and Kiki Rice each scored 19 points for the Tempo. Mabrey also had a team-leading eight assists.
This will be Chicago’s first meeting with Toronto. The Tempo recently completed a 2-2 road trip when they lost to the Lynx 100-72 last Thursday.
–Field Level Media
