SPARKS UPDATE: HOT SPARKS IN PHOENIX.Byline: Pamela Lewis Staff Writer The Sparks can win at least a share of the Western Conference title today when they play Phoenix at America West Arena. It would be the first for the Sparks, who already have set a number of franchise records this season. The Sparks (26-3) set a league record with 10 consecutive road wins after holding off the Detroit Shock The Detroit Shock is a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Detroit, Michigan. Debuting in 1998, they were one of the league's first expansion franchises. They are also the first WNBA expansion franchise to win a WNBA Championship. on Wednesday, narrowly escaping with an 84-81 victory. L.A. has won 10 games in a row overall, two short of their previous franchise high before a loss to Portland last month. Sparks center Lisa Leslie The Sparks begin the playoffs on the road Friday and might again play the Mercury (19-10), which is jostling with Sacramento for the third and fourth Western Conference berths. The Sparks will host the next two playoff games at the Forum on Aug. 13 and Aug. 15, if necessary. The Mercury is coming off a hot shooting night. They set a league record Thursday with a 63.6 percent field-goal effort in their 85-63 victory over the Seattle Storm For the soccer team of the same name, see . The Seattle Storm is a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Seattle, Washington. In 2004, led by Australian basketball star Lauren Jackson and University of Connecticut star Sue Bird, the team brought the . Phoenix got balanced scoring from Jennifer Gillom Jennifer Gillom (born June 13, 1964 in Abbeville, Mississippi) is a former WNBA basketball player who played for the Phoenix Mercury from 1997 to 2002. Gillom played college basketball in the University of Mississippi and helped the United States Basketball Team to a gold (14 points) and Brandy Reed Brandy Carmina Reed (born February 17, 1977) is a former professional basketball player. Reed grew up and graduated from Balboa High School in San Francisco, California in 1994. (11 points). The Sparks have beaten the Mercury in the previous meetings between the teams, 76-57 in Los Angeles and 74-68 in Phoenix. SPARKS vs. PHOENIX Time: 1 p.m., at the Forum TV/Radio: Channel 4; KPLS-AM (830) Matchups: Having won 11 in a row, the Sparks are now 26-3 and arguably the best team in the WNBA WNBA Women's National Basketball Association WNBA World Ninepin Bowling Association WNBA Wannabe Nasty Boys Association WNBA Women's National Book Association, Inc. WNBA Warszawski Nurt Basketu Amatorskiego . Michael Cooper, their coach, has turned in an outstanding job, perhaps the best in the league. He has the team playing tough defense and, as well as anyone, Cooper knows defense wins championships. Phoenix has won five of its last six games. CAPTION(S): box Box: Sparks vs. Phoenix (see text) |
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