Nolan, Smith’s outside shooting helps Detroit to win

Detroit 88, Phoenix 83
Detroit’s backcourt proved to be the difference in Game 3 in Phoenix on Tuesday night. Behind 22 points from Katie Smith and 20 points from Deanna Nolan, Detroit took a 2-1 lead in the Finals with an 88-83 win over Phoenix. 12 of Katie Smith’s 22 points - one short of her career playoff-high – came from 4-for-8 shooting behind the 3-pt line. Cheryl Ford led Detroit with a team-high 13 rebounds.

Diana Taurasi led Phoenix with a team-high 22 points and Cappie Pondexter had 13 points in the loss. With the win, Detroit only needs one more game to clinch the best-of-five series, and take home their third title since 2003. Game 4 of the Finals is Thursday (9/13) at 8:30pm ET in Phoenix.