Minny forces decider

Sylvia Fowles scored 22 points and the visiting Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks, 80-69, on Sunday night to force a decisive Game 5 in the WNBA Finals. Maya Moore and the Lynx will try for their fourth championship in seven years on Wednesday night at home.

The Sparks won Game 5 at Minnesota last season to take the crown; Candace Parker and Co. are hoping to become the league’s first repeat champion since Los Angeles in 2002.

The Lynx, aggressive from the start, dominated the glass. Minnesota trailed 10-8 before scoring 11 straight points in the first quarter. After never leading in Game 3, the Lynx built a 19-point lead in the third quarter. The Sparks rallied, but could never get closer than eight points late in the fourth quarter.

KYLE BUSCH TAKES DOVER

Kyle Busch spoiled Chase Elliott’s run at his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory, taking the lead with two laps left to win at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.

Elliott led 138 laps and seemed poised to break through and reach victory lane for the first time in 70 career starts. But Busch gave a ho-hum race a thrilling ending and won for the second straight week. Ryan Newman, Austin Dillon, Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne were eliminated as the playoff field was cut from 16 to 12.

STANTON STAYS AT 59

Giancarlo Stanton came up short in his quest for 60 homers in the host Marlins’ 8-5 loss to the Braves Sunday. Stanton finished with ML-bests of 59 home runs and 132 RBI. His final chance came in the ninth, and the crowd of 25,222 saluted him with a long ovation after he struck out swinging. He then came out for a curtain call, followed by hugs from teammates.