Sparks heat up, calm Storm

Sparks starters all finish in double digits to defeat Seattle for the fourth time in four meetings this season.

SPARKS 83 SEATTLE 59

Kristi Toliver scored 23 points to lead all five starters in double-digit scoring, and the Sparks defeated the injury-depleted Seattle Storm, 83-59, on Saturday at Staples Center.

Toliver, coming off a career-high tying 29-point game, went nine for 14 from the field to lead an excellent game by the starters. Candace Parker scored 17 points and added 14 rebounds, DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 15, Nneka Ogwumike 13, and Alana Beard 10.

The Sparks did not get any points from their bench until Jantel Lavender scored with under three minutes remaining.

The Sparks (12-6) improved to 4-0 this season against the Storm, who finished the game with seven healthy players after Tina Thompson left with a leg injury in the fourth quarter.

The Storm was led by Camille Little’s 12 points, and Shekinna Stricklen and Alysha Clark each added 11.

The Sparks made 14 of 15 free throws and shot 52.9% (making nine of 17) on threepointers.

Seattle was already without Sue Bird, its leading scorer and a member of the U.S. Olympic women’s team, because of a hip flexor, and starting center and top rebounder Ann Wauters, who missed a second straight game because of a strained calf. The Storm (7-9) had won six of seven and were coming off a win against Connecticut on Sunday.

But without Bird outside and Wauters inside for Seattle, the Sparks took full advantage and built off a win Thursday against defending champion Minnesota. They improved to 8-1at home.