Minnesota Lynx center Temi Fagbenle, left, blocks a shot by Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Candace Parker had 20 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double, Chelsea Gray added 17 points, and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Minnesota Lynx 81-71 on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles used a 23-4 second-quarter spurt to take a 49-32 lead at the break and opened the second half on a 17-4 run for a 30-point advantage.
The Sparks scored just six points through the first 8 minutes of the fourth quarter as Minnesota pulled to 74-67 on Lexie Brown's fourth 3-pointer of the game. But Parker answered with a 3 and the Lynx did not get closer than eight points from there.
Alexis Jones scored a career-high 15 points - all in the first half - for Los Angeles (16-10). Nneka Ogwumike added eight points and eight rebounds for the Sparks, who have won nine straight at home.
Brown led Minnesota (13-15) with 20 points, and Napheesa Collier added 14. The Lynx have lost three straight.
Minnesota Lynx guard Odyssey Sims blocks Los Angeles Sparks guard Alana Beard during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The Associated Press
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, left, blocks a shot by Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The Associated Press
Los Angeles Sparks forward Chiney Ogwumike, left, vies for a rebound with Minnesota Lynx center Temi Fagbenle during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The Associated Press
Los Angeles Sparks forward Chiney Ogwumike, back, fouls Minnesota Lynx center Temi Fagbenle during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Lynx forward Damiris Dantas shoots over Los Angeles Sparks guard Sydney Wiese during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The Associated Press