L.A. establishes its strong inside game, outscores Phoenix

The L.A. Sparks have one of the best 1-2 inside combinations in the league.

The Lynx found that out Thursday and now Phoenix has learned its lesson, too. The Sparks beat Phoenix 99-88 on Saturday night as 6-4 Candace Parker scored 27 points and 6-2 rookie Nneka Ogwumike had 22. They also combined for 18 rebounds.

The Big O is playing like a lock for the rookie of the year. She has 20 points in a loss to the Lynx.

Guard Kristi Toliver popped for 18 points for L.A. Those three all had 20 or more at Target Center two nights ago. Somehow the Sparks lost anyway.

Not this night. L.A. (3-1) outrebounded the Mercury 53-41 The Sparks' first two wins were over Seattle. On Saturday, both teams shot just slightly under 50 percent.

Candice Dupree led Phoenix with 24 points, Diana Taurasi after her team's first game and playing about a quarter in the second, had 18 point. She was out with a hip flexor.

Ex-Lynx Charde Houston looked good at times in the fourth quarter for Phoenix on the offensive ended and had 10 points. She had a scoop layup that was highlights material. Seems to be a much better fit for Mercury, which emphasizes scoring and a fast pace so much.

LYNX TRAVEL PLANS

After Sunday's game against Seattle, the Lynx will be gone most of next week. They travel to Washington on Tuesday for a game against the Mystics on Wednesday. From there, they will head to Connecticut on Thursday afternoon for a game at Connecticut on Friday. They will return home on Saturday of next week.

So are the Lynx going to the White House to play hoops with President Obama this week, so he can congratulate them on their WNBA title? Not this trip, Lynx PR staff say.

* Amber Harris, a 6-5 forward injured in the Lynx's first exhibition game on May 10 at Connecticut, participated in her first practice on Saturday since then. She is recovering from a sprained left ankle.

Harris participated in the shoot-around and pre-game warm-ups on Thursday. So she is making progress but is still questionable for the Lynx's Sunday game against Seattle at home.

SOMEBODY HAD TO WIN, RIGHT?

Tulsa had lost seven games in a row going back to last season, Washington had lost five consecutive games and 14 of the last 15. So their "showdown" was big for both of them.

And the Mystics, the home team, won. Just barely. Washington beat the Shock 64-61 despite a whopping 32 turnovers (55 total in two games).

Guard Matee Ajavan had 19 points off the bench for Washinton. Crystal Langhorne had 15 points and 10 rebounds -- the Mystics owned the boards 40-27. Monique Curry had 15 points, too, for the home team before 11,866 at tge Verizon Center.

The Mystics had a seemingly safe lead of 58-43 before nearly collapsing. The Shock went on a 14-0 run to get within 68-57 and also were within 63-61.