Sparks Have Enough Reserve Power, Barely

It hasn’t been that long since Tamecka Dixon went from starter to sixth man -- four games -- but she’s growing into the role. And it’s to the Sparks’ benefit.

On Friday, Dixon came off the bench to score 19 points, including four free throws in the final 10 seconds, to help the Sparks outlast the Phoenix Mercury, 76-74, in front of 9,022 at the America West Arena.

Whether she likes the role change is another question for another day. But she is responding positively so far. The Sparks don’t beat Connecticut on Monday or the Mercury on Friday without her.

“I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help my team. That’s it,” said Dixon, who was six of 10 from the floor and six of six from the free-throw line.

“Tonight the shots were falling and I tried to stay aggressive. Phoenix did a lot of double- and triple-teaming in the post, and I was trying to give us another outlet.”

Still, the Sparks (7-4) almost gave away their fourth consecutive victory by letting the Mercury (4-5) nearly make up a 23-point second-half deficit thanks in part to remarkable rookie Diana Taurasi, who scored 19 of her game-high 25 points in the final 20 minutes. This, after missing nine of her first 10 shots.

But Taurasi’s magic and a season-high 14 points by Adrian Williams weren’t enough to counteract four Sparks in double figures. Besides Dixon, Lisa Leslie had 17 points and 14 rebounds. DeLisha Milton had 13 points, and Mwadi Mabika added 11.

Coach Michael Cooper will take the victory, but he wished the Sparks had started their five-game trip on a stronger note.

“I thought we executed well in the first half and part of the second half,” Cooper said. “But for us to get where we want to we have to play a good 40-minute game.

“I’m happy we got the ‘W’ but I’m not happy how we got it. We’re looking for near perfection here, and that’s what I expect from our team. Granted, we have six new people coming off the bench, and the game can go down sometimes because they’re still getting used to the way we play. But I’d like our bench to play better.”

At least one bench player was effective.

Dixon, who replaced starter Laura Macchi in the first half after Macchi got three early fouls, made all four shots (including a three-pointer) and had 11 points in 13 minutes. She was the catalyst for the Sparks, who shot 51.6% in the first half (16 of 31) and raced out to a 49-34 halftime lead.

But no one expected to keep Taurasi quiet forever. And after the Sparks reached their biggest lead, 60-37, with 14:38 to go, she came alive.

Taurasi helped Phoenix rally with a 23-5 spurt.

“It was simple intensity,” Taurasi said. “We play with some intensity, we play together, more focused and things turn around.”