SPARKS TODAY at Houston, 11 a.m. PDT

Site -- Toyota Center.

Radio -- 690.

Records -- Sparks 10-9, Comets 12-8.

Record vs. Comets -- 1-0.

Update -- The Sparks’ longest trip of the season -- perhaps with the season on the line -- begins today in Texas. They start an eight-game swing clinging to fourth place in the West, percentage points ahead of Seattle (11-10). This is a better Comet team than the one the Sparks brushed aside in L.A. by 19 points June 15. Elite forward Tina Thompson, who gave birth to a son in May, has returned to action for Houston. She played 20 minutes, scoring four points, in Thursday’s loss to visiting Washington. Lisa Leslie, who strained her left hamstring during the Sparks’ loss to Washington on Tuesday, is expected to play today.

-- Mike Terry