Sparks Get a Win, but They Need One More

Mwadi Mabika had 16 points as the Sparks defeated the Minnesota Lynx, 69-58, Sunday in front of 11,822 at Minneapolis.

The Sparks (24-7), who have won two in a row after an emotional home loss to the Houston Comets, can clinch home-court advantage throughout the WNBA playoffs if they win their regular-season finale at Phoenix on Tuesday.

Against the Lnyx, the Sparks went on a 23-4 run late in the second half.

“Defense was the key to everything,” Spark Coach Michael Cooper said. “We threw a few different looks at them and were able to play good [defense] while putting up a few points.”

Katie Smith and Georgia Schweitzer each had 13 points for Minnesota (10-21), which clinched the worst record in its four-year history.

Leading by two at halftime, the Sparks scored nine points in a row to start the second half. Lisa Leslie keyed the run with six points and finished with 13.

“We expected them to have three or four runs, but once they caught back up, we took it up a notch,” Leslie said.

Minnesota answered with five three-point baskets and took a 47-46 lead with nine minutes left, before the Sparks’ run put the game away.

“Anytime we tried to make a move, they had an answer,” Schweitzer said. “They went to a zone defense a few times and changed the way they were guarding Katie and that really affected how smoothly our offense ran.”

The Sparks got a team-best six rebounds from Nikki Teasley, and Tamika Williams had six rebounds for Minnesota.

*

In other games:

Seattle 74, Utah 57--Lauren Jackson matched her career high with 27 points as the Storm clinched their first-ever playoff berth with a victory in front of 11,448 at Seattle.

The Storm (17-14), the fourth-seeded team in the Western Conference, will play either the Sparks or Houston in the first round of the playoffs. Seattle was 2-1 against the Sparks this season and 0-3 against Houston.

Amanda Lassiter, acquired by the Storm earlier this season from Houston, scored a season-high 14 points. Adia Barnes and Kamila Vodichkova each had 11 points. Sue Bird was held scoreless, but dished out eight assists.

Jennifer Azzi and Marie Ferdinand led the Starzz (19-12) with 10 points each.

Phoenix 73, Portland 70--Gordana Grubin scored 17 points and Susanna Bonfiglio had 10 as the Mercury ended a league-record 21-game road losing streak in front of 10,548 at Portland, Ore.

The Mercury’s last road win was July 27, 2001 at Seattle. Phoenix (11-20) avoided becoming the first team in league history to go 0-16 on the road.

DeMya Walker led the Fire with 10 points. Portland was eliminated from the playoff race when Seattle defeated Utah. The Fire (16-16) finished with the best record in its three-year history.

Orlando 71, Detroit 58--Nykesha Sales scored 19 points to help the Miracle (15-16) keep its playoff hopes alive with a victory over the Shock (9-22) in front of 7,286 at Orlando, Fla.

Sales scored six consecutive points early in the second half, highlighting an 11-0 run and giving Orlando a 41-36 lead with about 16 minutes left.

To make the playoffs, Orlando needs to win its regular-season finale Tuesday at home against New York and Indiana has to lose its last game.

Washington 60, Cleveland 54--Chamique Holdsclaw had 18 points and 17 rebounds in front of 11,042 at Cleveland to lead the Mystics (17-14) to only their second victory in 10 games.

The Mystics play Charlotte on Tuesday to close the regular season. The winner will be the Eastern Conference’s No. 2-seeded team and have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Indiana 77, Miami 63--Tamika Catchings scored 20 points in front of 15,488 at Indianapolis as the Fever moved within one victory of its first-ever playoff berth.

Indiana (15-16) will make the playoffs for the first time in its three-year history if it wins at Cleveland on Tuesday.

Sheri Sam scored 20 points for the Sol (14-17).

Charlotte 71, New York 58--Allison Feaster scored 18 points as the Sting (17-14) beat the Liberty (18-13) in front of 19,563 at New York to stay in the hunt for the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 playoff spot. The Liberty has already clinched the East, and Charlotte has clinched a playoff berth.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

*--* West Race The standings and remaining games for teams that have clinched playoff spots in the WNBA’s Western Conference: Team W L GB Sparks 24 7 -- Houston 23 8 1 Utah 19 12 5 Seattle 17 14 7

*--*

REMAINING GAMES

The four playoff spots in the Western Conference have been decided, although the Sparks and Houston still could switch spots.

Today: Sacramento at Utah

Tuesday: Sparks at Phoenix, Minnesota at Houston, Seattle at Sacramento