SPARKS TONIGHT

Opponent--Houston Comets.

Site--Forum.

Time--6.

TV--Lifetime.

Records--Sparks 8-10, Houston 10-6.

Record vs. Comets--1-1.

Update--The Sparks are gunning for four victories in a row and have split two games against Cynthia Cooper-led Houston. Los Angeles lost at Houston on the team’s first extended trip, 71-66, then routed the Comets at the Forum, 77-52, on July 16. Spark Coach Julie Rousseau wants to reach .500 with victories tonight and Sunday against Charlotte. Houston is in second place in the Eastern Conference, three games behind New York. The Sparks are trying to run down 8-7 Phoenix for the Western Conference lead. Cooper has shot her way to the WNBA scoring lead, at 20.9 points a game. She’s also shooting 47% from the three-point line. Tina Thompson is shooting 44% on three-pointers. The Sparks’ streak is being fueled by outstanding play in the low and high post by Lisa Leslie, who leads the league in rebounds. She’s second in scoring and blocked shots and her outstanding outlet passing launches the Los Angeles fastbreak.