Sparks come up cold in loss to Mystics

The Sparks have preached the value of controlling their own destiny in the WNBA playoff picture. But after Thursday, Los Angeles is going to need some help if it is to get a double-bye into the semifinals.
The Sparks lost to the Washington Mystics on Thursday, 80-72. L.A. came within one possession a couple of times in the final two minutes, but Washington center Myisha Hines-Allen hit two late 3-pointers and found Emma Meesseman for a dagger transition layup with 34.7 seconds to play.
With the