Sparks’ losing streak is now at five, 100-83

PHOENIX -- Penny Taylor had 28 points and seven rebounds, Cappie Pondexter scored 21 points and the Phoenix Mercury defeated the Sparks, 100-83, Saturday night for its third victory in a row.

Tangela Smith had 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Mercury (21-11), which set a franchise mark for victories -- topping the 20-12 record in 2000. Phoenix has won nine of 10 and remained a game in front of second-place San Antonio in the Western Conference.

Rookie Sidney Spencer had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Sparks (9-21), who have lost five in a row and eight of nine and have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Phoenix led by 13 in the third quarter until L.A. scored 10 points in a row, the last eight by Spencer, to pull within 57-54 with 5:23 left.

However, Taylor made a three-point basket, Pondexter made four free throws in a row and the Sparks never got closer than eight the rest of the game.

Phoenix shot 40% (30 for 76) from the field and 28 for 31 from the line.

The Mercury made its first 27 free throws.

Diana Taurasi had 12 points, making only four for 14 shots, but had eight assists, including two early in the fourth quarter to help Phoenix open a 19-point advantage.

In the first half, Phoenix made four of its first six shots, then missed 17 of the next 20, allowing L.A. to stay within 25-22 with 8:56 left.

However, the Mercury scored six consecutive points and extended the lead to 38-26 on Tangela Smith’s layup with 4:32 left.

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TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota 6:30, FSN Prime Ticket, NBA TV

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Sparks 9-21, Lynx 8-22.

Record vs. Lynx -- 1-2.

Update -- With the Sparks in sixth place and the Lynx in seventh in the Western Conference with four games to play, each team has been eliminated from playoff contention -- the Sparks for the first time since 1998. The Sparks have dropped two of three previous meetings with the Lynx. L.A. won the first meeting, 90-87, in now-retired star Chamique Holdsclaw’s last game on June 8, but lost, 83-58, on June 16, and again, 85-76, on July 27. Center Christi Thomas has given the Sparks a lift off the bench, averaging just over 10 points in recent games against Washington, Phoenix and San Antonio.

Tickets -- (877) 447-7275.

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LAUREN PETERSON