Shock Does Exactly That in Ending Sparks’ Streak

Playing much of the game without Lisa Leslie, the Sparks had the longest winning streak in WNBA history ended by the Detroit Shock, which delivered on Coach Bill Laimbeer’s promise to beat the two-time defending champions.

Swin Cash scored 20 points to lead Detroit past the Sparks, 87-78, in overtime Tuesday night before a crowd of 5,411 to end a streak that spanned two seasons at 18 games.

“Coach put himself out there by saying we were going to win, so we had to back him up,” Cash said of Laimbeer’s promise beforehand.

The Sparks won their last nine games last season and started this one 9-0. That tied their own two-year-old mark for the best start in league history.

Tamecka Dixon led the Sparks with 22 points as their leading scorer Leslie was limited to 13 points in 19 minutes because of foul trouble.

Leslie fouled out with 34.8 seconds left in the game after being called for a fifth foul with 13:36 to go, and having three fouls only five minutes into the game.

“I don’t really feel like I played a game,” Leslie said. “We finally got our loss and that’s over with. We look forward to seeing them again.”

The only way the Sparks and Shock will meet again this season will be if they play in the WNBA finals in September.

“Detroit ought to be glad because we gave them the game,” Spark Coach Michael Cooper said. “This is a good present for them, but I guarantee you that there will not be another one.

“They came to play, but you know what? We are the champions and we are still the champions until beaten.”

Meanwhile, Detroit (4-1) maintained its lead in the Eastern Conference with what might have been its biggest win.

The Shock has won four in a row and has been atop the conference for three days -- the longest stint in team history -- after starting 0-13 last season.

“This is a really big win for our franchise because it lets our community know we’re for real,” Cash said.

The Shock overcame a 16-point deficit early in the second half and scored the first seven points in overtime en route to the victory.