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Sparks-Mystics Preview

Jul 10, 2009 - 6:21 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (4-6) at Washington (5-5), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Sparks continue to adapt to a roster in flux. Their surroundings won't be very consistent for a while, either.

Continuing a seven-game road trip, the Sparks hope Candace Parker can continue to work her way back into form as they face the Washington Mystics on Saturday night.

Parker has played two games since a layoff due to the birth of her daughter in May. On Thursday night, she finished with eight points and six rebounds in 23 minutes as Los Angeles (4-6) opened its trip with a 69-60 win over New York.

Last year's No. 1 overall draft pick and league MVP helped the Sparks win for the third time in five games following a poor start.

"We're still in that stage of trying to find each other," Los Angeles coach Michael Cooper said. "It's going to take us some time before you really see our team play the way we're supposed to be playing when everybody's healthy."

Though Parker is back, the Sparks remain without three-time MVP Lisa Leslie, who sprained her right knee in a loss to Phoenix on June 19. She isn't expected to rejoin the team until later this month, when Los Angeles will still be on a road trip that won't end until Aug. 1, against Sacramento.

Parker's progress during this stretch will be crucial for the Sparks, who entered the season as championship favorites. She averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.3 blocks last year.

"I just know that I can take a step forward every game and I feel like I did take a step forward this game from last game," Parker said. "My legs are getting a little bit under me and things are working out that way. I'll probably start to measure that maybe in two or three weeks."

Tina Thompson, starting at center for Leslie, continues to lead the Sparks while Parker returns to form. The veteran is averaging 13.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals.

Thompson will match up with Washington's Chasity Melvin, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds in a 96-94 overtime loss at Minnesota on Tuesday.

The Mystics (5-5) have dropped four of five after winning four of their first five, but hope to get back on track as they open a six-game homestand. Washington is 2-1 at the Verizon Center after going 6-11 there last year.

Alana Beard continues to carry most of the scoring burden for the Mystics, with 18.4 points per game. On Tuesday, though, Washington got a 27-point effort from Lindsey Harding.

Harding, in her first year with the Mystics after two seasons with Minnesota, is averaging a career-high 11.9 points and ranks among the league's leaders with 5.4 assists per game while complementing Beard in the backcourt.

Beard had 17 points in Washington's 77-74 win at Los Angeles on June 26, 2008 - the last meeting between these clubs. The Sparks won last season's matchup in the nation's capital, 70-59 on May 31, 2008.