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ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The text came from the back of the bus. The Sky had lost two straight games in the WNBA semifinals and were on the ride from OHare to practice Monday after a four-hour red-eye flight from Los Angeles.Can we talk? Sky rookie Imani Boyette texted coach Pokey Chatman. I promise, I dont want to suck this bad.The sixth-year Sky coach smiled as she relayed the story Sunday night, minutes after her teams 70-66 Game 3 victory over the Sparks at Allstate Arena.Thats difficult for anyone to do, to admit when theyre not up to the level they expect for themselves, Chatman said. But for a rookie in crunch time, that was the first thing on her mind. We only talked for three or four minutes, and it wasnt about the message I gave her because it didnt change.It was just about that moment for her, and I just reminded her, Listen, we trust. We believe. Relax. Dont overthink it. Be instinctive. And do what youre capable of doing.Boyette did exactly that by tallying 13 points and 11 rebounds to force Game 4 (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET Tuesday) in the best-of-five series. She had six points and five rebounds in the fourth quarter and six points, three rebounds and a block in the final 2:18 of regulation.I just felt I hadnt shown up in this series yet. The lights have been kind of bright, said the 6-foot-7 center, who was named to the WNBAs all-rookie team last week. Ive been guarding two of the best players, so yeah, I was very much a rookie this series.Those two players -- Nneka Ogwumike, the leagues MVP, and Candace Parker, a two-time MVP playing minutes from where she grew up -- had been a force this series. On Sunday, Ogwumike scored 14 of her 22 points in the first quarter as the Sparks charged to a 13-point lead five minutes into the game.Thats when the Skys zone defense kicked in and shaved the deficit to nine points at the half. Chicago took its first lead since 2-0 on a driving layup by Courtney Vandersloot with 2:11 left in the period and held Los Angeles to just eight points in the third quarter.That is just unheard of for a team that skilled and with that many offensive threats, said Vandersloot, who led the Sky in scoring with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting and five assists. Thats going to be the key. Offense has kind of been our thing all season, and this game was low-scoring for us, but we got it done on the defensive end.For the second consecutive season, Chicago led the WNBA in scoring. But playing without Elena Delle Donne the last five games of the regular season and all of the playoffs, after she suffered a thumb injury that required surgery Sept. 13, the Sky had to look for various sources to extend their season.Boyette was the difference-maker on Sunday.Chatman praised Boyettes aggressiveness in the paint. After picking up her fifth foul while trying to block a shot from Ogwumike with 4:46 remaining, Boyette blocked Parkers layup a little more than 2 minutes later with the Sky up 60-59. Five points from Kristi Toliver helped stretch the Sparks lead to 64-62 with 1:30 left in regulation. Then back-to-back putbacks by Boyette gave the Sky a lead they would not relinquish.Shes a body down there, and she cant go ignored. And I think that we werent prepared for that, Ogwumike said. I think this is the first time were really seeing her in the series, and someone has to be on her at all times, especially when the shot goes up. Thats a huge adjustment were going to have to make.For Boyette, pep talks by teammates and coaches were instrumental.My coaches were just kind of like, Dont worry about it. Youre playing timid because youre scared of foul trouble. Weve got somebody to replace you. Just go out there, be aggressive and play your game. If you foul out, you foul out, she said. Its a lot easier to play that way.The Sparks, who lost for the first time in six games against the Sky this season, had to endure hearing their coach praise Chicago for its spirited play.Not that I like to be on the other side of it, Sparks coach Brian Agler said, but its good to see a team compete like that.The Sparks said they will be ready for Game 4 on Tuesday in Chicago, especially after a motivating speech from Toliver in the locker room.This is what champions strive for. Youre not going to sweep everybody. This is the semifinals, Ogwumike said in echoing Tolivers sentiment. And I think thats a little bit reflective of how we responded today. We got up by a lot, and we got a little frazzled. We need to relax, calm down and understand that in games, there are going to be ups and downs. Justin Wilson Jersey . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Chris Flexen Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/1860l-tyler-bashlor-jersey-mets.html . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. Drew Smith Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Franklyn Kilome Jersey .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. A look at whats happening all around the majors Sunday:---HOLIDAY GETAWAYThe Braves host the Marlins in a special for-the-troops contest in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Its believed to be the first regular-season baseball game played at an active military installation. Major League Baseball is staging the game at the sprawling U.S. Army post on the day before Independence Day as a thank you to the armed forces. It has turned an overgrown golf course into a major league-ready field surrounded by a temporary 12,500-seat ballpark -- a project thats costing MLB and the players association roughly $5 million.REINFORCEMENTSThe limping Dodgers get Brandon McCarthy back from the DL to make his season debut against Colorado. McCarthy made four starts after signing a $48 million, four-year free agent deal with Los Angeles in 2015 before having to have Tommy John surgery. His return is timely for L.A., which has sent six starting pitchers to the DL this season, including ace Clayton Kershaw on Friday.WRAP IT UPThe Cubs and Mets close a four-game rematch of last years NL Championship Series with aces Jon Lester (9-3, 2.03) and Noah Syndergaard (8-3, 2.49) on the mound. Lester has won five straight decisions, though hes coming off two consecutive no-decisions despite allowiing just three runs over 14 2/3 innings.dddddddddddd Syndergaard allowed five runs in three innings last time out against the Nationals, ending a six-decision winning streak.BETTER LUCK THIS MONTHAngels right-hander Matt Shoemaker (3-8, 4.12 ERA) hopes for better luck this month starting against Boston in the series finale at Fenway Park. He was winless in six starts (0-3) in June despite an impressive 2.14 ERA. Right-hander Sean OSullivan (1-0, 7.94) is slated to pitch for the Red Sox.STRUGGLING ARMSJose Quintana (5-3, 3.18) will start for the White Sox against Houston. Quintana looks to get back on track after going 0-7 with a 4.58 ERA in his last nine starts. Collin McHugh (5-5, 4.58) is up for Houston and is searching for his first win since May 30 after getting one loss and four no-decisions over his past five starts.HOT COLERangers lefty Cole Hamels (9-1, 2.60) has won four straight starts, giving up just two earned runs in 27 2/3 innings. Hell look to extend that streak against Minnesotas Kyle Gibson (1-5, 5.12), who earned his first win of the season on Tuesday. Gibson pitched seven innings in a 4-0 win over the White Sox. ' ' '