TONIGHT

at Minnesota, 5

Channel 9

* Site--Target Center, Minneapolis.

* Radio--KPLS (830).

* Records--Sparks 1-0, Lynx 1-1.

* Record vs. Lynx (1999)--3-1.

* Update--The Sparks’ defensive challenge is a center-guard tandem, just as it was Wednesday, when Los Angeles won its opener against Utah, 69-62, by containing 7-foot-2 center Margo Dydek and 6-1 forward Natalie Williams. Lynx guard Katie Smith scored a career-high 34 points in a 73-62 opening win over Cleveland, then had 18 at Utah. Rookie Maylana Martin, from UCLA, has played only four minutes in each of Minnesota’s first two games. This is a one-game trip for the Sparks.