Tonight’s game has been hyped ever since the Sparks and Sky found out they would have the first and second picks in this year’s WNBA Draft. The game is finally here, and Sylvia Fowles and Candace Parker meet again. The two last met on the court in April in the NCAAW Final Four. Parker and the Tennessee Volunteers defeated Fowles and the LSU Tigers 47-46. Fowles had 24 points and 20 rebounds in the game; Parker had 13 points and 15 rebounds. The L.A. Sparks are off to a 3-1 start and playing the final game of a five-game road trip before heading home for the team’s late home opener.

Fowles will be tested tonight against one of the league’s all-time greats in Lisa Leslie. Fowles had her most productive game as a pro this past Sunday against Connecticut, scoring a season-high 17 points and pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds for her second straight double-double. Jia Perkins is also coming off a season-best performance, scoring a game-high 21 points in the Sky’s 2-point loss to the Sun. Candice Dupree posted her first double-double of the season as well against the Sun, scoring 14 points to go along with her 11 rebounds. All three will need to have similar performances tonight, and Dominique Canty and Armintie Price will have to rebound from disappointing performances against the Sun, to out-score the high-powered Sparks offense.

Candace Parker has yet to disappoint this season. She has scored in double figures in each of her four games, and has recorded three double-doubles. The Sparks’ front line is among the league’s best, with Leslie continuing to shine after ten years in the WNBA. She is averaging 16.8 points and 9 rebounds this season.

Marquee Matchups

Dupree vs. Parker
Both Dupree and Parker are smooth and steady. Their respective teams will look for them all night long. Do not be surprised if one of these players has the ball with the fate of the game in their hands.

Fowles vs. Leslie
One of the league’s legends, 10-year veteran center Leslie, will square off against the league’s next great post player, rookie Fowles. The two played together in an Olympic warm-up tournament in April, with Leslie playing mentor and teacher to Fowles. Tonight we’ll see how much the student learned.