Los Angeles ends Portland's seven-game win streak

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The matchup Friday night between the WNBA's best team and the league's hottest team exceeded its pregame potential.

With an announced Rose Garden Crowd of 10,185 chanting ''Beat L.A.,'' DeLisha Milton converted a three-point play with 26 seconds remaining in overtime as the Sparks ended Portland's franchise-record seven-game winning streak with an 82-76 victory over the Fire.

Mwadi Mabika scored a career-high 32 points and had six rebounds and six assists for the Sparks (15-3), who bounced back after being blown out in Seattle on Thursday.

Milton finished with a career-high 23 points and 13 rebounds and Marlies Askamp had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Los Angles outrebounded Portland 44-31.

''The thing that Pat Riley used to say when I played with the Lakers is, 'No rebound, no ring.' We understand that that is the key,'' Sparks coach Michael Cooper said. ''Both teams played an exceptionally good basketball game.''

Said Milton: ''That's one of our strengths as a team -- rebounding on both ends of the floor. When you're on the road, it's of the utmost importance to rebound.''

Sylvia Crawley and DeMya Walker each scored 18 points for the Fire (11-9). Walker added eight rebounds and Crawley had five blocks.

''We played well enough to win it,'' Portland coach Linda Hargrove said. ''We had a chance and it's disappointing that we missed it.''

Said Walker: ''They know we aren't going to back down. We played well from top to bottom and we have the confidence to beat them.''

The game was close throughout, with neither team leading by more than six points. There were 17 ties, 29 lead changes and the intensity of a postseason game. If the playoffs started now, the Sparks would play host to Portland in the first round.

''It took everything that we had to pull this one out,'' Cooper said. ''It's part of becoming a team to be reckoned with, you have to take some ups and downs in the process of winning.''

Los Angeles was able to force overtime despite the loss of star Lisa Leslie, who fouled out with 6:40 remaining in regulation. Leslie had seven points.

''I've always said that this team is not a one-player team,'' Cooper said. ''This is a good, solid team we have here.''

Both teams had opportunities to win it in regulation. With the scored tied 71-71, Mabika lost the ball near the free throw line with 24 seconds left.

After Portland called a timeout, Walker was called for traveling with 12 seconds left. The Sparks worked the clock for a final shot, but were unable to get an open look before time expired.

Crawley attempted to become the first WNBA player to dunk in a game in the early minutes of the second half. She had a clear path to the hoop, but had the ball knocked away from behind on the way up.

The Sparks were without reserves Latasha Byears and Tamecka Dixon.

Dixon missed her second consecutive game following the death of her grandmother. It is not known when she will return to the team.

Byears sat out while serving the first game of a two-game suspension for fighting with Seattle's Michelle Marciniak on Thursday. Byears also was fined $1,000, Marciniak got a one-game suspension and a $500 fine. Both players were ejected with 9:51 left in the Storm's 79-60 victory.

The game was a homecoming for Los Angeles guard Sophia Witherspoon, who played for the Fire the last two seasons. Witherspoon was traded to the Sparks on draft day along with the rights to Nicki Teasley for Ukari Figgs.