SPARKS TONIGHT

Opponent--Sacramento Monarchs.

Site--ARCO Arena, Sacramento.

Time--7.

Records--Sparks 4-6, Sacramento 4-5.

Update--The Sparks can’t seem to hold a lead. That was the main topic at team meetings and practice Monday, after the team blew another big lead and lost in the last second to Phoenix on Sunday, 57-56. Coach Linda Sharp said her team needs a confidence-booster, and Sacramento seems as good a place as any to get one. In a 28-game season, the Sparks could be out of the playoff race very quickly if they don’t find a formula to play a full game. The Monarchs’ Ruthie Bolton-Holifield is the league’s scoring leader at 21.1 per game. Sacramento, a loser of two consecutive games, has had a lift recently from three-point shooter Mikiko Hagiwara, who has raised her average from beyond the arc to 38%.