SPARKS TONIGHT

* Opponent--Utah Starzz

* Time--6 p.m. (Pacific)

* Radio--KLAC 570 AM

* 1997 records--Sparks 14-14, Starzz 7-21

* Site--Delta Center, Salt Lake City

* Update--Margo Dydek, at 7 feet 2 the world’s tallest female basketball player, makes her American debut tonight against the Sparks, a team bent on a major improvement over last season’s finish. Dydek, 22, from Poland, was thought to be 6-6 when the WNBA invited her to the league’s combine several months ago, then she was measured at eight inches taller. She was a sensation at the combine, showing herself to be agile and a major shot blocker, and Utah made her the league’s first draft pick. She’s matched with solid front-court players Wendy Palmer, Elena Baranova and rookie Olympia Scott from Stanford. The Utah problem area is the perimeter, where shooting guard Tammi Reiss has yet to show she’s a premier pro. At point guard, Chantel Tremitiere comes from Sacramento in a trade, but veteran Dena Head has started in the exhibition games. The Sparks’ home opener in the Great Western Forum is June 19 against the New York Liberty.