SPARKS TONIGHT vs. Seattle, 7, ESPN2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KPLS (830)

Records--Sparks 20-5, Storm 14-13.

Record vs. Storm--1-1.

Update--Put aside the hoopla about Lisa Leslie’s dunk: The Sparks are trying to avoid their first consecutive losses of the season after a poor performance against Miami, and they’re clinging to a one-game lead over Houston in the Western Conference race. Seattle is fighting for the final Western Conference playoff spot. Add to that the fight both teams showed in Seattle’s 79-60 victory July 11, when the Sparks’ Latasha Byears and Seattle’s Michelle Marciniak were ejected after Byears threw the ball at Marciniak and Marciniak charged her in a tiff that started with a hard foul by Marciniak. “No, I’m not trying to get back at her,” Marciniak said. “We’re trying to make the fourth playoff spot, so our motivation is extremely high.... I think it’s a healthy rivalry. I don’t think they liked losing by that margin. I know Michael Cooper doesn’t like losing, period.” Byears and Marciniak say they’re friendly. “Yeah, I know her,” Byears said. “She’s a great actor, too.”

Tickets--(877) 962-2849, (213) 480-3232.