Sparks Dominate Comets in Victory

Nearly a month into his first WNBA season, and Henry Bibby finally saw a stat sheet worth smiling about.

Because the sheet did tell the story of the Sparks’ 83-64 win over the Houston Comets, in front of an announced 7,529 at Staples Center.

The only Sparks who didn’t score -- Gordana Grubin and Marlous Nieuwveen -- didn’t play. Everyone else contributed at least six points, led by Tamika Whitmore and Chamique Holdsclaw with 17 apiece. The Sparks outrebounded the Comets, 32-18, and held them to 37.7% shooting.

No one was wrapped up tighter than Sheryl Swoopes, the league’s third-leading scorer (19.1), who had just eight points and was scoreless in the second half. Meanwhile the Sparks shot a season-high 65.5%.

There was a milestone. Nikki Teasley, who had nine assists, scored six points to reach the 1,000-point total. She is the fifth player to reach that figure as a Spark, joining Leslie, Mwadi Mabika, Tamecka Dixon and DeLisha Milton-Jones (now with Washington).

Most important, the Sparks (5-4) played two strong halves instead of one and were in control of the contest after the first four minutes.

“We’re getting a little better each day,” Bibby said. “We’ve put a lot of emphasis on some things the past three weeks. It’s been a cram course of philosophy on what we’re trying to do defensively as well as offensively. And it came together tonight.”

The loss was the fourth straight for the Comets, who fell to 4-5.

“We had to get out of the habit of one pass and shoot,” said Whitmore, who made eight of nine shots. Now we’re passing the ball more, getting into the offense more. And it’s a wide-open offense.

“If the defense cheats, you have layups. If they don’t play up on you, you have open shots. Coach said if you don’t take the open shot he’s going to take you out. And no one wants to come out.”

Of course, this has been one of the league’s long-standing rivalries. The Sparks and Comets combined to win the first six WNBA titles, with Houston claiming four of them. But the teams went into Wednesday’s game tied for fourth place.

“We both had those days when we were champions. Now we’re both more even keel,” said Leslie, who had 14 points. “Neither one of us is in first place, and that’s where we’re both used to being.”

After the game, Houston had a lengthy closed-door session with Coach Van Chancellor.

“We have to look in the mirror individually, look, and realize that not one of us can get the job done alone,” said forward Michelle Snow who, along with reserve Sancho Lyttle, led Houston with 13 points.

The Sparks may be getting more good news soon. Mabika, who has been sidelined this season by arthroscopic surgery on her left knee, said she was feeling much better and was hopeful she could be ready to play soon.

Bibby was not ready to say how quickly Mabika could fit into the lineup.

“We’re not having her come back to be ‘the savior’ so to speak,” Bibby said. “She is a part of what we’re doing here, and there are other girls who have been here and worked pretty hard to be here.

“We’ll let her work herself back into playing. She’ll have a spot pretty soon, I’m pretty sure of that.”