Lynx at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m at Staples Center • No TV, 106.1-FM
Lynx update: The Lynx have lost two in a row, including their first home loss of the season, to Phoenix on Sunday, and three of their past four. The biggest problem, perhaps, is the defense. They have let two consecutive opponents score 50 points and build a 20-plus-point lead in the first half. Forward Maya Moore is in a four-game shooting slump, hitting on a little more than 30 percent of her shots (19-for-61). Center Damiris Dantas is coming off her second career double-double. Point guard Lindsay Whalen scored six points vs. Phoenix Sunday, her first game not scoring in double figures. Monica Wright, who had knee surgery in late April, made her season debut Sunday. The Lynx's 85-72 victory in Los Angeles June 8 broke a six-game losing streak there. Seimone Augustus had 26 points in that game.
Sparks update: The Sparks, who entered the season with big expectations, are in last place in the Western Conference. Their 3-6 record is second-worst in the WNBA. They have lost three straight and five of their past six, most recently a 101-74 drubbing in San Antonio on Saturday. Part of that is playing without guard Kristi Toliver, who is away fulfilling a commitment to the Slovakian national team. Candace Parker is averaging 20.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists, leading the Sparks in all three categories. Nneka Ogwumike is averaging 12.8 points and 7.5 rebounds.
