• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Parker's layin lifts Sparks to 92-91 win

Jun 9, 2010 - 5:41 AM LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Candace Parker made a layup with 3.4 seconds left to give the Los Angeles Sparks a 92-91 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night.

Parker finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds, DeLisha Milton-Jones added 18 points and nine rebounds, and Betty Lennox had 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Sparks (2-6), who broke a three-game losing streak.

"I'm so happy that it went in," Parker said of her winning shot. "We needed this win so bad."

Diana Taurasi had 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Mercury (3-5). Tangela Smith added 18 points and nine rebounds, and Penny Taylor had 17 points and seven assists.

Temeka Johnson put the Mercury ahead 91-90 by driving for a layin with 8.8 seconds remaining.

After the Sparks called a timeout, Parker fought through a double-team and drove the lane for the winning basket.

"I posted up and the lane was clogged," Parker said. "So I was most worried about them hitting the ball and knocking it away. That's why I went to the step-through move (against the double-team)."

Tina Thompson passed to Parker after receiving the ball from Noelle Quinn on the inbounds play.

"It was too easy," Thompson said of her assist. "Usually they pack the defense in but they were playing behind Candace. It was a clear play."

Taylor tried to take a jump shot but one of the Sparks knocked the ball away as time expired.

Phoenix used a 13-0 run to turn a 50-48 deficit into a 61-50 lead with 5:20 left in the third quarter. Taurasi made two 3-pointers during the surge and Johnson had a steal and three assists.

"Games are runs," Taurasi said. "They made theirs and we made ours."

All three games between the teams have been decided by one point, with Phoenix winning the previous two.

"I think the difference this time was that we had the last defensive stop," Parker said. "We had the toughness to fight back. Every possession matters."