Chicago Sky (12-17) at Los Angeles Sparks (20-10)

When: 9:30 p.m., today

Where: Staples Center

TV: Comcast CN100

Last time: On Tuesday, the host Sky defeated the Minnesota Lynx, 83-70; on Sunday, the visiting Sparks lost to the New York Liberty, 73-71.

Skinny: These two teams are headed in different directions. The Sky has won three of its last four games, starting with an 85-74 victory over the Sparks on Sept. 2 at the Allstate Arena and most recently coming up with an upset of the defending WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx. The Sparks, meanwhile, have lost four of their last five games. This home game, the first for Los Angeles since Aug. 25, should be a reprieve as all five of those games were on the road…In the Sky’s home win against the Sparks, six Sky players scored in double-figures and the team finished with 25 assists. Guard Epiphanny Prince, who is coming off a 26-point game against Minnesota, had 17 points and 9 assists against Los Angeles. Center Sylvia Fowles added 14 points and 9 rebounds, but she has missed the last two games with a calf injury…Former Sky guard Kristi Toliver had 19 points against the Sky at Allstate while Naperville native Candace Parker added 15 points in front of her hometown fans…The Sky is still alive in the playoff race, fighting with the New York Liberty for the fourth and final spot in the Eastern Conference.

Next: Sky at Phoenix Mercury, 5 p.m. Sunday, Comcast CN100

— Patricia Babcock McGraw