Up next for Sparks: Tuesday vs. Chicago

VS. CHICAGO

When: 7.

Where: Staples Center.

On the air: ESPN2.

Records: Sparks 13-13, Sky 13-14.

Record vs. Sky: 0-1.

Update: The Sparks are 8-3 in August and have won five consecutive games, their longest winning streak since they won eight in a row in the 2006 season. From July to August, the Sparks have improved their rebounding (from 15.3 to 17.1 per game) and shot blocking (from 4.3 to 5.6 per game). The Sky lost its last two games, but Chicago is the league’s best three-point shooting team (40.1%). Forward Candice Dupree is 15th in the league in scoring, averaging 15.3 points a game. With eight games remaining in the season, the Sparks have a 2 1/2 -game lead over the San Antonio Silver Stars and Minnesota Lynx for the Western Conference’s third playoff spot.

-- Mark Medina