Sparks Tonight

AT SACRAMENTO

7, ESPN2

Site--Arco Center.

Radio--KWKU (1220).

Records--Sparks 17-3, Monarchs 12-8.

Record vs. Monarchs (2000)--2-1.

Update--You would think the Sparks, riding an eight-game winning streak, did not want the All-Star break to interrupt their momentum. But Coach Michael Cooper said the four days off (except for all-stars Lisa Leslie and Tamecka Dixon) were helpful. “We had been pushing hard to get to this point, and the last four games our top six players were logging some big minutes,” Cooper said after Tuesday’s practice. “Players do need a break from the game mentally and physically. This was good for us. I could see it in their eyes; everybody came back refocused.” Despite having three players--Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, Yolanda Griffith and Ticha Penicheiro--start in the All-Star game, Sacramento is third in the Western Conference and trails the Sparks by five games. This is the Monarchs’ first chance to make a statement that they can challenge the Sparks. Sacramento, which lost at Utah on Saturday, is 6-3 at home. Griffith, who had 17 points and seven rebounds in the All-Star game, is averaging 15 points and 11.6 rebounds.