SPARKS TONIGHT

vs. Detroit

5, Channel 9

* Site--Great Western Forum.

* Radio--KPLS (830).

* Records--Sparks 12-2, Shock 7-7.

* Record vs. Shock (1999)--0-1.

* Update--First assignment for Coach Michael Cooper’s Sparks today: Wendy Palmer. Detroit Coach Nancy Lieberman-Cline had waited a dozen games for the 6-foot-1 veteran from Virginia to register a breakout game and it happened Wednesday night at Seattle, where Palmer had a career-high 32 points on 14-of-21 shooting and pulled down 12 rebounds in an 82-78 victory over the Storm. Said Seattle Coach Lin Dunn: “She’s one of the top post players in the league--at times she schooled our young post players.” Palmer, who’ll be guarded by Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton tonight, is averaging almost 14 points and six rebounds a game. Detroit, despite losing its two top scorers from last season, Jennifer Azzi and Sandy Brondello, has adjusted nicely.

* Tickets--(310) 419-3181.