Lynx at a glance: The Lynx (19-6) can clinch a spot in the WNBA playoffs by beating the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night. A victory also would give them a franchise record 20 victories in a single season -- they won 19 in 2003, counting a playoff win over L.A. -- and improve their chances of having the best record in the league. With the best mark goes home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. ... The Lynx tied a season high by shooting 57.1 percent from the field in beating Washington 81-62 on Thursday.
Sparks at a glance: Los Angeles (10-14) is 21/2 games behind fourth-place Seattle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. But the Sparks, with Candace Park back in the lineup after being out seven weeks because of a knee injury, are dangerous. On Thursday, they beat East-leading Indiana 75-70. Parker, a 6-4 post, played 39 minutes and 30 seconds and had 18 points and five assists. Ebony Hoffman, a 6-2 forward, had 21 points and seven rebounds off the bench. ... L.A. is 1-3 vs. the Lynx this season
ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ
