Comets find a way to slow down Parker: use a double team

HOUSTON - The Houston Comets had a plan to stop Candace Parker. It worked.

Tamecka Dixon scored four of her 17 points in overtime, and former University of Tennessee center Michelle Snow added a game-high 20 as the Comets beat the Los Angeles Sparks 75-72 in front of a sellout crowd of 7,261 on Saturday night at Reliant Arena.

One of the main goals for the Comets was to contain Parker, who had 40 points and 16 rebounds during the Sparks' 82-74 overtime win July 10 in Los Angeles.

Prior to Saturday's game, Dixon said that the Comets would have a different plan for Parker, a rookie sensation from Tennessee. She was double-teamed all night. That plan was effective as Parker was held to 16 points and seven rebounds and committed four turnovers.

The Sparks clearly had a plan in mind for the Comets — slow Tina Thompson. She was held to a season-low three points on 1-of-11 shooting, but Thompson was instrumental on defense against Parker.

"Tina didn't have her offense, but her job was Parker, and she did a great job on her," Dixon told The Houston Chronicle. "We doubled her at times, but really Tina's one-on-one made the difference."

The Comets held Parker to six points in the first half.

Snow had two key blocks in the first half that led to fast-break baskets. Snow made seven of her 17 shots from the floor, including the decisive free throws in overtime.