SPARKS TONIGHT

Opponent--Phoenix Mercury.

Site--Forum.

Time--6:30.

Records--Sparks 4-5, Phoenix 5-3.

Update--Cheryl Miller returns to Los Angeles as a coach for the first time since she left USC in 1995. Her team brings the WNBA’s second-best record to the Forum to play the Sparks, who hope to gain on the Western Conference leaders before playing three of the next four games on the road. Miller’s Mercury is led by 6-foot-3 center-forward Jennifer Gillom, who is averaging 14.7 points, 19.5 over the last four games. Her backup, 6-5 Marlies Askamp from Germany, might start for another team. The MVP at this year’s European Championships, she’s averaging six rebounds a game despite playing only 17 minutes a game. Phoenix’s Michelle Timms, who is from Australia, leads the league in steals and assists. Linda Sharp is expected to go with her new lineup, featuring 6-5 Heidi Burge and 6-1 Linda Burgess. Those two were the pacesetters in Friday’s 75-68 win over Utah. More than 10,000 are expected tonight.