Sparks Meet a Rising Mercury

PHOENIX —  The Sparks’ vaunted defense, the decisive element in so many of their 26 victories, will get a major test tonight in America West Arena against the re-energized Phoenix Mercury.

In what shapes up as a preview of the WNBA’s Western Conference playoff opener here on Friday, the Sparks have two new problems in matching up with the Mercury, both familiar names to Southland followers of the women’s game:

* Adrain Williams. The 6-foot-4 former USC player, who was the Mercury’s second-round draft pick in April, has quickly emerged as a force. In Thursday’s 83-65 victory over Seattle, she registered her first career double-double: 10 points, 10 rebounds.

* Nicole Kubik. The 5-10 rookie from Nebraska earned a dubious distinction during the Sparks’ training camp: She became the WNBA’s first first-round draft pick to be cut before the opening game. But Phoenix Coach Cheryl Miller signed her last week to shore up her depleted backcourt.

The Sparks have defeated Phoenix twice, 76-57 and 74-68 two weeks ago, but on neither occasion was the Mercury shooting 63.6%, as it did Thursday.

The playoff format has the Western Conference winner, most likely the Sparks, playing the fourth-place finisher, most likely Phoenix. Probable second-place finisher Houston would play Sacramento, winner of the tie-breaking series with Phoenix.

All playoff rounds are best-of-three, and the conference finals begin Aug. 17.

The Sparks are coming off two road victories, at Minnesota and Detroit, that went to the final minute. Both were raggedly played, yet Spark Coach Michael Cooper liked the creative pathway his players followed, as well as their end result.

“We’re digging and scratching, finding ways to win on the road--and that’s where championships are won, on the road,” he said.

The Sparks’ six-game trip continues at Seattle Tuesday and ends at Utah Wednesday.