SPARKS TONIGHT

vs. Indiana, 7:30

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Sparks 14-5, Fever 12-6.

Record vs. Fever (2005) -- 2-0.

Update -- The Fever is third in the Eastern Conference but only half a game out of first. A big reason for that, besides perennial All-Star Tamika Catchings, has been the play of eight-year veteran Tamika Whitmore. The ex-Spark and former New York Liberty forward, who signed a free-agent deal with Indiana in the off-season, is averaging a career-best 16.2 points. She and Catchings (16.1) are giving Indiana its best offensive tandem since the franchise entered the league in 2000. In six of the Fever’s last seven games, Whitmore has led the team in scoring. The Sparks have won all five meetings between the teams in Los Angeles and lead the all-time series, 8-1. Sparks center Lisa Leslie turns 34 today.

Tickets -- (213) 480-3232.

-- MIKE TERRY