Sparks Tonight

AT PORTLAND, 7

Site--Rose Garden; Portland, Ore.

Radio--KWKU (1220).

Records--Sparks 20-3, Fire 11-12.

Record vs. Fire--1-0.

Update--Although she accepted the decision to sit and rest her injured right knee, Lisa Leslie had a hard time watching the Sparks squeak past Sacramento on Wednesday. Coach Michael Cooper says Leslie’s return to the lineup is a “game-time decision”; in all probability she will play tonight. Los Angeles, which has clinched a playoff berth, seeks its 12th consecutive win, which would tie the franchise record. The Sparks need to maintain their lead over Houston in the Western Conference (now 4 1/2 games) and stay ahead of Cleveland for the overall best record. (They have a 2 1/2-game lead on the Rockers, who lost to Indiana on Friday.) Portland, which lost to Sacramento, 85-62, on Friday, is battling Phoenix and Utah for the fourth and final West playoff slot. The Fire had its biggest win of the season Tuesday, upending New York at home. Jackie Stiles continues her bid for rookie-of-the-year honors, leading the Fire in scoring (15.6).