Change Is the Byword for Spark Second Half

If the WNBA playoffs began today, the Sparks would be seeded third in the Western Conference and gearing up to face Houston in the first round.

But the playoffs don’t start until Aug. 30. So beginning today, the Sparks have 18 games in which to defend their Western Conference regular-season title or be left fighting for the remaining three playoff spots.

The second half of the 2005 regular season is more, though, than just playoff posturing. It’s also a challenge -- overcoming the adversity the Sparks have faced, primarily injuries, that has kept them from competing at full strength.

And full strength is not yet at hand.

The Sparks will, however, welcome back guard Mwadi Mabika, who missed the first 16 games while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. Roster space was opened when rookie center Marlous Nieuwveen was waived.

Another space became available when veteran guard Gordana Grubin was waived.

Team officials are considering several players to fill that spot, but it will depend as much on salary-cap room as need. For now, the roster stays at 10 players.

“I’d say I’m 90-95%,” Mabika said Monday. “It’s been tough, having to watch. It’s the first time I’ve had surgery, the first time I’ve had to be on the bench this long. But I feel I can do everything I did before.”

That good news, however, was offset by the probable loss of Tamecka Dixon, who has been playing despite fluid buildup in her left knee. The knee has already been drained twice, but Dixon is experiencing increased soreness and has been told to rest. She could be out from a week to 10 days.

“I had hoped [the All-Star break] would be enough rest,” a disappointed Dixon said.

Coach Henry Bibby has gotten used to working with a short roster. Laura Macchi is not yet ready to return, and Christi Thomas, Chamique Holdsclaw, Nikki Teasley and Lisa Leslie -- spectacular dunk in the All-Star game aside -- have all been playing hurt.

Bibby does not see that as an excuse, however, for the Sparks’ up-and-down first half. “The girls have to play,” Bibby said. “Everything is in place. The girls have to understand that they can be as good as they want to be. Yes, we haven’t been healthy ... but we have to play defense every night. We have to rebound. [There’s] no Xs and O’s involved in playing defense. It’s about effort and energy.”

The players had their thoughts on how to improve in the second half.

“We need to get some consistency,” Dixon said. “We’ve played well in spurts. We’ll put together two good games, then look like we’ve never played a game. And when we take those days off from defense, we don’t know always know which way our offense goes.”

Added Leslie: “Team ball. I hope we continue buying into the team concept. I know we’re getting better, but some days we play really well and some days we don’t. We’re all wanting the same thing, we have to find a way to do it.”

Said Mabika: “We have to know how to pull out a game, no matter what kind of game we’re having. We have to be mentally tough enough to know how to win. We don’t always have to win by 20. Even if we’re playing bad, we have to know how to pull the game out.”

Other factors loom for the Sparks:

* They have to win on the road. They are 3-4 away from Staples Center, and 10 of their final 18 games will be on the road -- eight in succession from July 23 to Aug. 10.

* The Sparks are giving up 69.4 points a game, which is right at the pace of last year’s team. But they are scoring two points fewer a game, which leaves little room for error.

To put it another way, when the Sparks give up 50 to 59 points, they are 3-0. When they give up 80 or more, they are 0-3.

*

Monday, the Sparks added former NBA player Joe Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s father, to the coaching staff. Joe Bryant, who played eight seasons with Philadelphia, San Diego and Houston, had worked on and off with the Sparks in an unofficial capacity. He is signed through the season.

*

TONIGHT

vs. Charlotte, 7:30

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 690.

Records -- Sparks 9-7, Sting 3-12.

Record vs. Sting -- 0-1.

Update -- Charlotte has given the Sparks plenty of trouble. Since 2002, the Sting has won four of five meetings against Los Angeles, including an 84-75 victory in Charlotte on May 28.

Before the All-Star break, the Sting made a couple of roster moves, adding free agents Caity Matter and Ayana Walker and waiving Tynesha Lewis and Jessica Moore.

Tangela Smith has begun showing the talent the Sting expected when they traded for her, averaging 16.8 points in the last five games.

Tickets -- (213) 480-3232.