SPARKS TONIGHT

vs. Seattle, 7:30

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Sparks 11-3, Storm 8-8.

Record vs. Storm -- 0-1.

Update -- Seattle pummeled the Sparks by 23 points in the season opener May 21. Lately, though, the Storm has struggled while the Sparks have taken off, using an eight-game winning streak to move into first place in the Western Conference. No doubt the Storm has been affected by the loss of veteran forward Wendy Palmer, who has sat out the last 10 games because of a tear in her left Achilles’ tendon. But Seattle still has plenty of firepower with Lauren Jackson (19.9 points per game), Betty Lennox (13.9) and Sue Bird (9.7). Sparks center Lisa Leslie earned her third player-of-the-week honors this season and second in a row for averaging 21.9 points, nine rebounds, and shooting 60% in the last three wins, against Houston, Sacramento and San Antonio.

Tickets -- (213) 480-3232.