SPARKS TONIGHT

at Minnesota, ESPN, 4:30 PDT

* Site--Target Center, Minneapolis.

* Radio--KPLS (830).

* Records--Sparks 24-3, Minnesota 13-13.

* Update--The Lynx, who had lost eight in a row, have quickly won three straight and pulled to .500 but remain 3 1/2 games out of a playoff berth with six games left. Minnesota hopes the Sparks show up today a bit flat after their emotional first win at Houston on Saturday. The Sparks have won seven in a row. Michael Cooper’s team must contend with Minnesota’s long-range bombers, Katie Smith and rookie Betty Lennox. Those two made nine of 15 three-pointer shots in a win at Washington on Saturday. Lennox had 31 points. Smith ranks sixth in three-point shooting at 40.3%, but has taken 57 more shots than anyone else in the WNBA. Smith is also close behind Houston’s Sheryl Swoopes for scoring leadership, 20.5 to 20.7. Former UCLA standout Maylana Martin has started the Lynx’s last six games. From Minneapolis, the Sparks go to Detroit for a Wednesday game.