Lynx 3-0 after dousing Sparks

Nicky Anosike, the 6-3 second-year starting center for the Lynx, was in sixth grade when Lisa Leslie broke into the WNBA.

But there was Anosike, matched up against the three-time league MVP and Olympian on Wednesday night.

And in this game, at least, Anosike was the better player. She had a strong all-around effort as the Lynx defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 87-76 at Target Center before an announced crowd of 7,444.

The Lynx, who started last season 5-0 but missed the playoffs, are now 3-0 and looking much improved.

Anosike had 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, five blocks and four steals. She was one steal shy of becoming the second player in WNBA history to have at least five of each of those key stats in one game. Sparks star Candace Parker, still out after having a baby last month, did it last season.

"[Anosike] is playing like a beast right now," Lynx coach Jen Gillom said. "We got some key stops by Nicky Anosike, some key blocks. She definitely was the difference in the game defensively. And I thought Seimone [Augustus] made some crucial three-pointers to help keep that lead in the second half."

Augustus led the Lynx with 30 points; she was 4-for-5 from behind the arc.

Leslie got her sixth foul trying to stop Anosike inside.

"Oh, of course, I was looking forward to the game against her," Anosike said. "She is one of the top post players going. Her and Jen Gillom, and I can't play against Jen anymore. I tried to take the ball at [Leslie]. Maybe someday I will get all those accolades Lisa has."

Leslie fouled out as the Lynx were on a 14-0 run. It began with Los Angeles ahead 55-50. The Lynx were up 62-55 when Leslie fouled out. Anosike, who had four points in that run, later scored on a layup to make it 64-55. Tina Thompson, another of the Sparks' Olympians, finally answered with a three to break the Spark's cold spell.

"[Leslie] didn't play the last 12, 14 minutes so that's tough," Thompson said. "We're used to having her out there. She has a presence. It definitely deters our offense a little bit because a lot of our plays go to her. Even still, we could have played better. We turned the ball over way too much."

Los Angeles had 20 turnovers, the Lynx 17.