SPARKS TONIGHT

at Houston, 5:30 PDT

Site -- Toyota Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Sparks 13-9; Comets 10-12.

Record vs. Comets -- 1-0.

Update -- Despite receiving a career-high 38 points from DeLisha Milton-Jones, the Sparks were unable to keep up with the Phoenix Mercury in a 99-92 loss Thursday. Milton-Jones made five of eight three-point attempts, but the team’s two best shooters, Sidney Spencer and Raffaella Masciadri, seem to have fallen out of favor with Coach Michael Cooper, as each played season-low minutes. The play of Sparks center Lisa Leslie has also dropped off, as she has averaged just under 11 points in the last five games, dropping her scoring average from 17.1 points on July 8 to 15.5. Comets forward Tina Thompson scored 25 points off the bench Thursday in a 96-88 victory over Minnesota, ending a three-game losing streak.

-- Dan Arritt