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LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Nneka Ogwumike was presented her MVP award by WNBA president Lisa Borders before Wednesdays playoff semifinal opener with Chicago. She smiled and posed for a few photos, but she didnt get a really good look at the trophy until she walked into the Sparks locker room after the game and saw it sitting there.By that point, shed put on a fantastic display as to why she won it. Ogwumike and the No. 2 seed Sparks went to their strength in a 95-75 victory against Chicago: They dominated the post.Ogwumike had 27 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocked shots. Candace Parker had 30 points, nine rebounds and three assists. And Jantel Lavender came off the bench to add 12 points and four rebounds.Combined, they made 28 of 37 shots: 75.7 percent. Somebody needed to check the nets for burn marks.Especially against a team missing last years MVP, 6-foot-5 forward/guard Elene Delle Donne (out with a thumb injury), the Sparks knew this game was about relentlessly wielding the cudgel they have.We understood that we couldnt get away from what we do well, Ogwumike said. Thats kind of what happened after the Olympic break. We lost ourselves a bit, and then we regrouped.Which is why I think this 12-day break [before the playoffs] was beneficial for us, because we handled it differently than the Olympic break. We were able to dissect their defense and figure out how we could score against it.So, just like Minnesota pounded Phoenix in the first game of their semifinal Wednesday in St. Paul (which will be the Lynxs home next year, as Target Center is being renovated), the Sparks also clobbered their foe in an alternate gym. The Walter Pyramid, on the campus of Long Beach State, was used because there was a facility conflict with Staples Center. The Sparks will return to Staples for Game 2 against Chicago on Friday (ESPNews, 10 p.m. ET).Parker added that she thought there was a silver lining in the Sparks struggles in late August and September, when they went 5-5 to close the regular season. They realized they were resilient, Parker said, and that they could bounce back when things didnt go well.It had been easy for the Sparks to say they were a cohesive unit during their 21-3 run before the Rio de Janeiro Games. But they really proved that to themselves with how they stuck together during some hard times.It takes battling through adversity to win a championship, Parker said. Thats what I took from it. That we have to continue to play and trust the process.Parker has won the MVP award twice: in her rookie season of 2008, and in 2013. Ogwumike, who like Parker was a No. 1 draft pick, came to the Sparks in 2012 and made a point of studying everything that Parker did.Theres so much to learn from her, Ogwumike said. Its fun to see where our chemistry is now.Parker returned the compliment, saying she is also learning plenty from Ogwumike.I think its been an amazing journey for me to sit back and watch Nneka develop the way she has, Parker said. Shes always played with the same amount of energy, selflessness and passion since she got to L.A.It takes work and energy to go in there with four people rebounding and come out with the rebound.But thats something Ogwumike seems to do all the time. Even when youre sure shes so outnumbered that she cant possibly be the one who rebounds the ball, she somehow still gets it.And that relentless energy was evident all night Wednesday, but encapsulated by one particular third-quarter tour-de-force. Ogwumike blocked Jessica Brelands shot at the top of the key, chased down the ball, and raced down the court for a layup.It was among the Sparks plays that got Magic Johnson, one of the teams owners, out of his seat and on his feet applauding.I think that was probably the epitome of how Ive been playing, Ogwumike said when asked about that sequence.Why was she still diving for loose balls and making hustle plays even late in the game when the outcome was essentially decided? Ogwumike said she doesnt think you can just turn effort off and on based on the score of the game. Her dial is set at on all the time.As for the MVP trophy, she said it was heavier than she expected. And the magnitude of it is still setting in for Ogwumike.Its been amazing, but Im not sure its really hit me yet, she said. It will maybe after the season. Its pretty cool.Where is the trophy going to be displayed?Its going to my mom, Ogwumike said, laughing. Shes already claimed it.The Sparks, though, stressed that they fully realize they have not yet claimed their spot in the WNBA Finals, despite such a resounding victory. They still have to win two more games, and the Sky are going to do whatever they can to make it harder on Ogwumike and Parker.Good luck with that. Sparks coach Brian Agler was especially proud of how Wednesday exemplified the effort that Ogwumike has shown every game and practice this season.The thing thats just so eye-opening to me is how efficient she is, he said. Shes worked on her game, and she plays so hard, so competitive. Ive coached a lot of really good players. And the one characteristic I would say you need if you want to be an MVP player is that they play with such great intensity, and focus. And theyre hungry to have success. Weve seen it all year long with her.Tarik Cohen Jersey . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. Mike Ditka Bears Jersey . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. http://www.bearsfootballpro.com/Authentic_Dan-Hampton_Bears_Jersey/ . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Walter Payton Jersey . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. Gale Sayers Bears JerseyRIO DE JANEIRO -- Heather Watson seems destined never to break out of her frustrating bundle of contradictions.Talented and with plenty of potential, the British No.2 and the nations tennis fans have been waiting for her to really break through at the top of the game. She is 24 now, and they have been hoping for that big moment for some time.Watson had made the Olympics her top priority this season and actually won her first-round match here against Chinas Shuai Peng 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3 on Saturday.But the victory took her a gruelling 2 hours 29 minutes in the heat and she was on the defensive afterwards about having attended the opening ceremony, which finished late on Friday night.It made me very happy going, Watson said. I regretted not going in London. It was a great decision to go. It was so well organised, everything was on time and we were sat down before.As soon as we were done with our walk -- which was incredible and amazing to be a part of -- I was appointed Andys security guard at the front there. It was such an honour and Im so glad I did it. If anything, it helped me for my match.Maybe it did, maybe it didnt. Watson clearly enjoyed herself at the Maracana but staying up late and potentially being kept on her feet for a long time didnt sound like ideal preparation for the first match in a tournament shes been talking about all year.The British team had a very small proportion of its athletes involved in the ceremony, with only 70 of 366 making it. Some who stayed away were at the training camp in Belo Horizonte, but others had competition to think of.It felt like a classic Watson contradiction, but she did, come through after all, and it was her first singles win since the Aegon Classic in Birmingham in June.After the disappointment of the singles at Wimbledon, when she lost in the first round to Elena Vesnina, Watson has given the impression of someone who is frustrated with herself for not climbing up the tennis rankings; someone who feels like time is running out for her.dddddddddddd.The world No.67 talked of overhauling her whole approach when she went was beaten by the Russian, and then went on to win the mixed doubles with Henri Kontinen.That success may have opened a new avenue for her, too, if the way she is talking is anything to go by. She certainly looked good when she went back on court with Jo Konta as they beat Jelena Jankovic and Aleksandra Krunic 6-2, 6-1, even if she did admit to being drained afterward.My goal is to get a medal, she said of her ambitions for Rio. Thats the dream [but] Im not here to just be a part of it. Thats how I went into Wimbledon, whether it is in singles, doubles, whatever it is, that is what I want to shoot for.I didnt play my best [Saturday]. It was one of those winning ugly ones. It was a battle of the fittest and I didnt feel too tired at all, so Im really pleased with that.Watson has a tough draw in the second round, facing Ukraines Elina Svitolina, the world No.20, and could face Serena Williams if she gets through.Watson pushed the great American to her limit at Wimbledon last year, but that third-round battle feels like a very long time ago now.Watson still has time to make the most of her talent in singles and any shift of focus to take in doubles now would be premature.Perhaps these Games can give her the spark she needs, the boost that could strip away the contradictions. You suspect it would come as a huge relief if they did. ' ' '