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Storm-Sparks Preview

Jun 5, 2010 - 6:43 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Seattle (6-1) at Los Angeles (1-5), 11:00 p.m. EDT

For the second time in league history, the WNBA will take its game outdoors.

The best and worst teams in the Western Conference will meet at the Home Depot Tennis Center on Saturday night when the Seattle Storm visit the Los Angeles Sparks.

The first outdoor game in WNBA history was held at New York's Arthur Ashe Stadium on July 19, 2008, as the Liberty lost to Indiana, 71-55.

The Sparks (1-5) decided to hold this one as part of their campaign to promote health through outdoor exercise. The Storm (6-1) agreed, and their players are excited about playing outside.

"I'm looking forward to it," star forward Lauren Jackson told the Storm's official website. "I think it's exciting for the WNBA. I think it will be a lot of fun."

Jackson claimed she has played with professional players outdoors in Brazil with the Australian national team. She appears to be the only one with such experience.

"It will be a unique experience, one I have never had," Seattle point guard Sue Bird said. "Your guess is as good as mine. I have no idea what to expect. I don't know what the weather is going to be like, don't know what the wind is going to be like."

This is a rematch of the Storm's season opener, an 81-67 home win over Los Angeles on May 16. The Sparks held a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter before falling, and Jackson finished with 23 points and 10 boards for Seattle.

Jackson was also credited with excellent defense against Sparks star Candace Parker, who scored a season-low 10 points.

Los Angeles has had trouble holding late leads throughout this year, and that's a big reason why it's in last place in the West. That problem occurred Friday in a 90-89 loss at Phoenix as the Sparks fell after leading in the final quarter for the fourth time.

Parker scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 15 of her 20 points in the first half. Parker is averaging 29.7 points in her last three games.

Seattle has not played since handing Atlanta its first loss, 90-72 on Tuesday. Jackson made five 3-pointers and scored a season-high 32 points.

"Lauren is playing tremendous right now," coach Brian Agler said. "She's playing at a real good speed for herself. You don't see her trying to rush things. Her shot is smooth, she can set, and she's reading it."