SPARKS TODAY

vs. Washington, 12:30

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KWKU (1220).

Records -- Sparks 15-7, Mystics 9-11.

Record vs. Mystics -- 1-0.

Update -- A trademark of Alana Beard’s outstanding college career at Duke was having a stronger second half of the season. That pattern is starting to repeat itself in the WNBA. After scoring in double figures four times in her first 11 games, Beard has been in double figures six times in the last nine games, including a season-high 27 in Sunday’s 81-71 loss at Sacramento. Beard, Chamique Holdsclaw (20.1 points, 8.7 rebounds) and the rest of the Mystics are trying to hang in the tight Eastern Conference race. But Washington has lost three of its last four and fallen to last place, even though it is only two games out of first. The Sparks are coming off their best game of season, beating Indiana, 82-51, on Monday.

-- Mike Terry