Sparks Fly, but L.A. Keeps Cool

DeLisha Milton says it’s all about defense.

“The secret is the intensity that we put into our defensive game,” Milton said Saturday after scoring 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds during the Sparks’ 62-50 victory over the Washington Mystics at Washington.

“We really try to come out and alter everything that we possibly can--just being everywhere and getting our hands on passes.

“When we’re out there being tenacious and feisty--digging real hard into everything and blocking shots--it really scares teams and makes them think twice. And when we have them thinking twice, they’re playing on our court instead of us playing on theirs.”

Saturday’s matinee was played before a sellout crowd of 19,093 at MCI Center, but the Sparks (17-3) controlled the game from the opening tip against the Mystics (5-13), who lost their second consecutive game without injured star Chamique Holdsclaw, their leading scorer and rebounder.

“Sometimes we don’t have an attitude, but in this game we definitely came out with an attitude,” said Mystic center Murriel Page, who had 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

“Everyone thought this was going to be a cakewalk for L.A., but we came out with an attitude that this is our house and we’re not going to back down.”

The Sparks say they face that everywhere they play.

“We knew there would be a lot of adrenaline pumping because of Chamique’s absence, a lot of players really wanting to show their stuff on TV, and because they were playing the Sparks,” Milton said. “But this team just has so many offensive threats. On any given night, any of us can have 20-plus points and 10 boards. The thing that’s so beautiful about it is we really know how to share the ball and let the ball find the open player.

“We don’t just have one star on this team that we focus on day in and day out. And we not only have the height, we have the agility. We can bang, and we can step out, and that’s a luxury.”

Lisa Leslie posted her 10th double-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks for the Sparks, who have won eight in a row. Guards Ukari Figgs and Tamecka Dixon each scored 10 points, and Latasha Byears had 10 rebounds for the Sparks, who haven’t lost since June 24, when they were defeated by the New York Liberty, 82-69, at New York.

Helen Luz scored 14 points to lead the Mystics, who have lost four in a row.

The competition got heated early in the second half when Leslie and Mystic reserve center Tausha Mills exchanged words, prompting a double-technical. Shortly thereafter, Milton made the second of two free throws to give the Sparks a 52-32 lead with 13:50 to play.

The Mystics then went on a late run. They cut their deficit to 56-50 on Tonya Washington’s three-point basket with 2:29 to play but got no closer.

“If you’re going to have a loss, you should have a loss like that,” Mystic Coach Tom Maher said. “We gave them a game. They are a wonderful team.”

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In other WNBA games:

Charlotte 71, Indiana 58--Allison Feaster scored 17 points at Charlotte, N.C., to lead the Sting (8-11) to its seventh victory in eight games. Nadine Malcolm had 17 points for the Fever (6-13).

Utah 69 Sacramento 57--Jennifer Azzi scored 17 points and had eight assists at Salt Lake City as the Starzz (8-10) ended a two-game losing streak. The Monarchs (12-8) were led by Kedra Holland-Corn, who scored 16 points.

Miami 66, Detroit 51--Sandy Brondello scored 14 points at Miami as the Sol (10-9) extended its winning streak to four games. Deanna Nolan led Detroit (5-13) with 10 points.

Phoenix 80, Minnesota 67--Maria Stepanova matched her career high with 19 points at Minneapolis as the Mercury (7-12) ended a two-game losing streak. Katie Smith, the WNBA’s leading scorer, led the Lynx (6-12) with 27 points.