Basketball On The Internet.

AUSTRALIA’s remaining WNBA contingent – Jenna O’Hea, Penny Taylor, Erin Phillips and Rachel Jarry - all will be playing finals this season.

In Los Angeles today, Candace Parker and Jantel Lavender scored 16 points apiece as the LA Sparks routed Phoenix Mercury 89-55.

Nneka Ogwumike had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Sparks (24-10) in a preview of the Western Conference semi finals. Their best-of-three series starts on Friday (Aust. time) in Los Angeles.

Brittney Griner had nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks for Phoenix (19-15).

Taylor played 13:57 and had two points for Mercury and O’Hea saw 29:52 of action for 6 points.

In Connecticut, the Sun beat Indiana 82-80 in overtime after Bendigo Spirit’s WNBL championship winner Kelsey Griffin scored with 0.4 seconds left in regulation to force the extension.

Izzy Castro Marques stuck two free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining in overtime to stop the Fever.

Castro Marques led Connecticut (10-24) with 19 points while Karima Christmas led the playoff-bound Fever (16-18) with 21 points.

Phillips saw 22:19 on the pine for two points.

Both teams played with seven players because of injuries and to rest players on the last day of the regular season.

Minnesota took out Chicago 79-66, Lindsay Whalen with 23 points and Maya Moore 22.

Jarry saw 2:48 for her two points.

TOM Daly may have been high among Mount Gambier’s best in the Pioneers’ 85-97 SEABL grand final loss to Dandenong Rangers on Sunday but his NBL dreams are fading fast.

After an impressive effort against the WA SBL All Stars, Perth Wildcats gave their coveted final roster spot to Drake U’u, leaving Daly in the wilderness unless Wollongong Hawks make the phone call.

Rangers star import Daequon Montreal should follow the NBL closely this season, the 203cm forward a genuine prospect should an existing import falter.

Here’s how we saw his game at News Limited today: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/daequon-montreal-makes-his-mark-with-46-points-as-rangers-claim-nation8217s-no-2-national-basketball-title/story-fnii0am9-1226720212001

And while we’re at it, the 36ers’ win over the SA SBL All Stars saw the light of day too at: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/hands-off8217-rule-enforcement-has-36ers-gary-ervin-jarrid-frye-and-mitch-creek-running-riot-in-exhibition-game/story-fnii09ki-1226720061379 … as did the club’s new logo at: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/adelaide-36ers-undergo-an-offcourt-makeover-with-new-logo/story-fnii09ki-1226720268649

DAEQUON Montreal's big block to clinch the SEABL title is catching on. Today in Ljubljana, Sacha Massot had a key block and a dunk late in the game to help Belgium to a 60-56 victory over Latvia.

The result sent Ukraine into the quarter-finals of EuroBasket and they needed the assist too, beaten 70-63 by Lithuania in a later game.

Latvia had to win and Lithuania beat Ukraine to advance. Instead, Ukraine joins France, Serbia and Lithuania in advancing from Group E.

Croatia, Slovenia and Italy have advanced from Group F.

Massot blocked a Janis Blums layup, then dunked for a 59-56 lead that completed a 9-0 Belgian run.

Dairis Bertans missed a 3-point attempt.

Latvia shot at a dreadful 29 percent from the field but had a chance to win late despite trailing for most of the game.

Rolands Freimanis botched an alley-oop attempt but Latvia got the ball back, leading to Massot blocking Blums' drive.


SYDNEY and Townsville duke it out tonight before they face off in a Blitz game tomorrow night in Sin City.

Then it’s the 36ers versus the Wildcats in neutral territory on Wednesday.

So far every coach has embraced the NBL’s “hands off” direction.

What will be interesting to review in 12 months or so is whether that emphasis will have a trickle-down effect at all.