think this was going to happen right away.

ROSEMONT, Ill. -- She scored her 29 points Tuesday night as she usually does, any way she could, any way that was necessary: 6 of 10 from the field, 3 of 3 from the 3-point line and 14 of 15 from the foul line.But it was that final shot, the one she took her time on, measured and let soar from 25 feet with 1 minute, 10 seconds left in the Sparks decisive Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals, that made Candace Parker smile.The Sparks victory was a foregone conclusion by then, the 3-pointer extending Los Angeles lead to 20 en route to a 95-75 victory over Chicago. But for the nine-year WNBA vet and two-time league MVP, it was a long time coming.My rookie year, I came in and we went straight to the conference finals and we were like a Sophia [Young] falling-out-of-bounds bank shot away from getting to the Finals, Parker recalled of L.A.s 2008 loss to San Antonio to force a decisive Game 3 in a series won by the Silver Stars. And of course, youre young and you think, Oh, well be back next year. ... Then you look up and its eight years later.So just for me, I really appreciate this. I appreciate it more so having been through the journey that weve been through.The Sparks journey continues with the franchises third trip to the WNBA Finals but first since 2003 as they advance to meet Minnesota, a finalist in five of the past six years and the defending WNBA champion. The Lynx won the season series 2-1, with each team winning on the others home court. Two of three games were decided by three points.I dont like to call it a rivalry until we hold up our end of the bargain and make it that, Parker said. Obviously, theyve been there, theyre experienced, they know what it takes to win a championship, and this is our first time. So we have a lot to learn and we have to learn it fast.The Sparks were quick learners after Sundays Game 3 loss -- their first in six games against the Sky this season -- in which the Sky virtually shut down the L.A. offense with a zone defense that held the normally high-powered Sparks to 66 points.Parker had nine points in the first half Sunday and was held scoreless in the second as the Sky turned the game with a 19-8 third quarter. Tuesday, the Sparks again were staggered with a 28-14 third quarter. But a 28-point first-half lead coupled with a strong finish led by Parkers 15 fourth-quarter points -- including 9 of 9 from the foul line -- kept the Sky no closer than eight points early in the final period.We just countered it with movement. A lot of times you can get stuck literally without moving the ball and bodies against the zone, said Nneka Ogwumike, who finished with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. I also think we did a much better job with our on-ball defense.Kristi Toliver was also instrumental for the Sparks with 21 points on a perfect 5-for-5 night -- four coming from beyond the arc -- along with five steals and four assists.The Sky deserve praise for their fight, persevering despite numerous injuries this season, most notably the one that kept former MVP and Olympian Elena Delle Donne out of the playoffs because of a thumb injury.We got off to a slow start ... said coach Pokey Chatman, whose Sky trailed by 12 at the end of the first quarter. Obviously L.A. had a sense of urgency and aggression. But I will say Im proud of the way we fought back.It was Chatman who warned early in the season that the rest of the league better watch out for Parker after she was shockingly left off the U.S. Olympic team.I think the Olympic situation was probably a little bit of motivation for her, Chatman said, but Candace is an MVP-type player her entire career.Parker downplayed any personal storylines, including how the loss of college coach and mentor Pat Summitt has impacted her. Sparks coach Brian Agler said Parker has endured an emotional year.For two things like that to occur during the course of your season is very difficult, Agler said. But she stayed the course. She accepted the decisions made in regard to the Olympic team. She made her way to Knoxville to say her goodbyes to Coach Summitt. She went back to Knoxville to be a part of all the ceremonies there to honor Coach Summitts life. It was important to her.But she hardly missed anything in regard to practice and games. ... We all know Candace is one of the best in the world and shes had a great year and a great playoff.At the end, her teammates waited not so patiently for Parker to finish her TV interview before rushing a Finals T-shirt to their leader in a joyous mosh pit. She had won in her hometown, a half-hour from where she grew up and led her high school team to two straight state titles.It was great to do it in Chicago where it all started, where I first picked up a basketball, Parker said. ... Its really special to do it anywhere but especially in front of my family and friends.Beyond that, you werent going to get Parker or Ogwumike to wax poetic. Not yet.Its sweet for me because this franchise is competing for a championship, Parker said, and this is what my goal was back in 08 when I was drafted, to be in this situation and compete.I dont think either of us [Parker or Ogwumike] have to prove anything else individually in our careers. But can we win an WNBA championship? Thats all we wanted to prove this year. Kyle Kuzma Lakers Jersey . JOHNS, N. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Jersey . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. http://www.lakersbasketballshop.com/Michael-Cooper-Jersey/ . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Elgin Baylor Jersey . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Kobe Bryant Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim wants his bench to perform better.He got his wish Saturday.John Gillon and Taurean Thompson came off the bench to score a Syracuse career-high 23 points and career-high 22 points, respectively, and the Orange broke open a tight game early in the second half to defeat Boston University 99-77.Gillon hadnt scored in Syracuses two previous games.We want guys to come off the bench to score and thats what happened today, Boeheim said. Thompson is getting better on offense. ... John saved the game in the first half.Andrew White added 19 and Tyler Lydon 10 for the Orange (6-3). Frank Howard had 11 assists and just two turnovers.Syracuse had lost three of four entering the game.Cedric Hankerson led the Terriers (4-6) with 34 points, including 10 of 20 from beyond the arc. Eric Fanning chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds.Syracuse led 45-39 at the half but outscored the Terriers 19-5 in the first five minutes of the second half, led by seven from Thompson, to take a 64-44 lead. The Orange breezed the rest of the way, extending their lead to 88-55. Syracuse shot 55 percent in the second half, outscoring the Terriers 54-38 after intermission.They just got on a run and we couldnt really bounce back from that, said Hankerson. They were hitting some daggers and we started turning the ball over too much.They had some guys who shot better than they had been, and we helped them, said BU coach Joe Jones. We were really bad on offense and made some really bad decisions and you cant do that.Gillon and Thompson scored 14 and 12 points, respectively, in the first half to spark what had been a lethargic Orange effort. Gillons first-half points included 4 of 4 from beyond the arc.I had a lot going on and wasnt in the right mindset, not ready to play, saaid Gillon.dddddddddddd Thats what happens, you get bad results. Im getting myself together.Both teams exchanged baskets early on, but then the Terriers went on an 8-0 run, led by two 3-pointers by Hankerson, to take a 20-12 lead. Two 3s by Gillon and a jumper by Thompson tied the score at 23 with 8:31 to go in the half. The Orange then outscored BU 22-16 to take its halftime lead.Hankerson, who averaged 9.3 points a game entering the game, scored 19 in the first half.The undersized Terriers outrebounded Syracuse for the game.Despite the win, Boeheim said theres much work to do.Its foolish for me or anybody to think this was going to happen right away. Its a long way off, Boeheim said. We have glaring weaknesses and have to get better.BIG PICTUREBOSTON UNIVERSITY: The Terriers hung tough for a half but the Oranges talent took over in the second 20 minutes. BU was tough on the boards and had 18 second-chance points.SYRACUSE: It was another decisive victory for the Orange over a decidedly inferior opponent, so you cant really judge much from the win.TIP-INSHankersons game was his best yet since returning from last years season-pending ACL. . This was the first game all year that the Terriers had been outscored in the paint.White has scored in double figures in all nine Syracuse games. . Lydon is 3 of 17 from 3 in his last three games. .. Dajuan Coleman had just two points after two solid efforts.UP NEXTBoston University: Hosts New Hampshire a week from Sunday.Syracuse: Continues its five-game homestand next Saturday against longtime rival Georgetown on whats been designated Pearl Washington Day in honor of the Syracuse legend who died earlier this year. ' ' '