SPARKS TONIGHT at Phoenix, 7

Site -- U.S. Airways Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Sparks 23-8, Mercury 13-16.

Record vs. Mercury -- 3-0.

Update -- A weary Sparks squad wanders into the desert, hoping to stop a two-game losing streak in the final regular-season road game. The latest loss was Thursday in Connecticut, 72-63. Phoenix’s playoff hopes are waning as the Mercury trails fourth-place Seattle by 2 1/2 games with five to play, including tonight’s. In its last game, Phoenix routed Charlotte, 112-84. Diana Taurasi (24.2) is closing in on her first league scoring title. Lisa Leslie is one rebound shy of collecting 300 or more regular-season rebounds for the fourth time in her WNBA career. Forward Chamique Holdsclaw, who missed the Connecticut game because of plantar fasciitis in her left foot, is day to day.