SPARKS REPORT / TONIGHT

Sparks vs. Houston Comets

* 6:30 * Channel 9

Site--Great Western Forum.

Records--Sparks 2-2, Comets 4-0.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Updates--This much hasn’t changed in the WNBA’s early going--the defending champion Comets, who won at Sacramento, 79-68, on Saturday, still appear to be the league’s best team. Some thought the Cleveland Rockers, with the solid early play of new guards Suzie McConnel Serio and Cindy Blodgett, might challenge the league champions. But the Comets defeated the Rockers, 87-73, Thursday. The Comets’ Cynthia Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes together are averaging more than 45 points a game, and Tina Thompson is averaging 16. Inside and out, Cooper and Swoopes rule. Cooper (57%), Swoopes and Thompson are all shooting more than 50% on three-point shots. The Sparks got a league-record 21 rebounds from Lisa Leslie on Friday night in their 78-75 victory over the New York Liberty. The Sparks play Charlotte on Wednesday night at the Forum before leaving on a two-game trip to Houston and Sacramento.