• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Lynx-Sparks Preview

Aug 19, 2009 - 6:39 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Minnesota (11-13) at Los Angeles (10-13), 10:30 p.m. EDT

A weak Western Conference has kept the Minnesota Lynx in the playoff hunt even with a losing record. The Los Angeles Sparks are hoping they can also be a threat despite some early season struggles.

The Lynx make their first visit to Staples Center this season Wednesday when they'll try to stop the Sparks from winning their season-high third straight.

Minnesota (11-13) is six games behind conference-leading Phoenix but still in the hunt for a postseason spot as it sits tied with San Antonio for third place. Only the Mercury and Seattle have winning records in the West.

The Lynx, though, won't be much of a threat if they don't improve soon. They've lost three in a row, falling 79-76 at Chicago on Saturday, and lead Los Angeles (10-13) by one-half game for the conference's final playoff spot.

Minnesota was held to 10 points in the second quarter Saturday but rallied from a 70-58 deficit to pull within 77-76 with 18 seconds remaining. Chicago, however, hit two free throws to seal the win.

The Lynx hit four 3-pointers in a 29-second span during the rally to finish 12 for 33 from 3-point range. Roneeka Hodges scored a team-high 25, going 5 for 10 from beyond the arc.

"It was kind of daunting," said Candice Wiggins, who added 14 points. "I was trying to get our team to realize that the game wasn't over. Hit some threes and we were right in the game. ... I'm proud of the comeback, but I'm very disappointed it got to that point."

It was the second close defeat during the losing streak for Minnesota, which fell 89-87 to San Antonio on Aug. 9.

"We're trying to find a solution," coach Jen Gillom told the Lynx's official Web site. "There's still a chance and until they say no more, we're going to fight until the end."

Los Angeles is coming off a 72-69 win over Washington on Tuesday, its fourth victory in six games. Lisa Leslie scored 20 and Candace Parker finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

The Sparks led by as many as 11, but the Mystics tied the game at 67 with one minute left. Marie Ferdinand-Harris, who did not play the first three quarters, scored all of her nine points in the final eight minutes, though, including making two free throws with 45 seconds left to lift Los Angeles.

"It was huge," Parker said. "Coming off the bench cold in the fourth quarter when her number was called, she has all the respect in the world."

The Sparks are 14-3 at home against the Lynx, splitting two games there in 2008.