SPARKS TODAY

at Houston, 1 p.m. PDT, Channel 7

Site -- Toyota Center.

Records -- Sparks 3-3, Comets 3-4.

Record vs. Comets (2003) -- 3-1.

Update -- This been one of the league’s most intense rivalries the last several years. But the light won’t shine as brightly on this meeting because both teams are stumbling. The Sparks’ loss Thursday in Sacramento dropped them to fifth place in the Western Conference. But they’re still looking down at Houston, sixth after consecutive losses to Phoenix and New York. Comet forward Tina Thompson is averaging 21.4 points -- nearly six more than her career average -- to lead the league.