SPARKS TONIGHT

vs. Detroit, 7:30

* Site--Great Western Forum.

* Records--Shock 11-14, Sparks 17-7.

* Season series--Sparks lead, 1-0.

* Radio--KEZY-AM (1190).

* Update--Into the home stretch go the Sparks, trying to finish in a rush and clinch home-court advantage for a probable first-round playoff game against the Sacramento Monarchs. The second-place Sparks hold a 1 1/2-game lead over the Monarchs in the Western Conference race. Los Angeles, which trails the division-leading Houston Comets by three games, has eight games to play, including a Tuesday night game at Sacramento and a Thursday night game at Houston. Tonight’s game gives Detroit a chance to atone for its July 2 second-half collapse at Auburn Hills, Mich., when the Sparks pulled away in the stretch to win, 91-81. The Sparks staged a similar rally Friday night at Minneapolis, where Coach Orlando Woolridge’s team put together a spectacular second half that resulted in a 77-59 victory over the Minnesota Lynx. Trailing by five points at halftime, the Sparks outscored the Lynx, 42-19, in the second half. The Sparks have won seven of eight and 14 of 17. Detroit is getting sizzling three-point shooting from Jennifer Azzi (55.6%), but not much else. The Shock has lost six of seven.