Lynx-Los Angeles game preview

Lynx update: How many times has Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said a version of this? A stagnant offense results in defensive problems, which turn into opponent runs. That happened in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to L.A., when the Sparks used a bunch of Lynx misses and a few turnovers to outscore Minnesota 29-12. It was the most points the Lynx have allowed in a second quarter this year, the second most allowed in any quarter this year. The Lynx have been outscored 50-23 in the second quarter in the two games in this series. F Maya Moore has scored 60 points on 22-for-43 shooting — 8-for-16 on three-pointers— and has averaged 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. But she had five turnovers Sunday. After scoring 17 points on 7-for-15 shooting Friday, G Seimone Augustus had 14 Sunday but shot 5-for-15. C Sylvia Fowles has taken just 12 shots, gotten 16 rebounds and turned the ball over five times in two games. She was a team-worst minus-18 Sunday. G Lindsay Whalen is 4-for-10 for 12 points in two games.

Sparks update: The Sparks cut back on their turnovers and turned up the defensive pressure Sunday, building a lead as big as 22 points in the second quarter before holding on for a 10-point win. It was a win that came in large part from F Candace Parker (25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals) and G Ana Dabovic. Coming off the bench, she scored a career-high 19 points, hitting on three of four three-pointers and posting an amazing plus-29. She has averaged 10.1 points and has made eight of 15 three-pointers in five games vs. Minnesota this season. One question mark for the Sparks for Tuesday is the health of F Nneka Ogwumike, who left Sunday's game in the third quarter because of a neck strain and did not return.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD