Candace Parker’s strong first half helps Sparks top Storm

LOS ANGELES — Candace Parker scored 14 of her 17 points in the first half, Nneka Ogwumike had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and the Sparks beat the Seattle Storm, 68-60, on Tuesday night at Staples Center.
Ogwumike hit a baseline jumper at the end of the shot clock to extend the Sparks’ lead to 65-54 with 2:06 left and Seattle didn’t get closer than seven points the rest of the way.
Jantel Lavender added 14 points for the Sparks (15-6).
The defending WNBA champion Sparks started t