Byears, Mapp Help the Sparks Win

Two games into the season, Spark Coach Michael Cooper is already excited about the play of two off-season acquisitions.

Latasha Byears scored 16 points and Rhonda Mapp had five rebounds and four steals as the Sparks beat the Orlando Miracle, 68-62, Friday night.

The Sparks (2-0) also got 21 points from Tamecka Dixon, nine in the final seven minutes. Lisa Leslie had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

“By bringing Mapp and Byears in here, we took a lot of pressure of Lisa Leslie,” Cooper said. “Leslie does not have to take the beating on both ends of the floor, and I’m sure she is happy about that. They are doing what we brought them here to do.”

Orlando (0-1) was led by Nykesha Sales’ 20 points.