Struggling Sparks look to halt slide against Aces

Two teams with opposite trajectories will meet Friday when the Los Angeles Sparks, looking to end an eight-game winless streak, host the red-hot Las Vegas Aces.

Las Vegas (12-6) won its sixth straight Thursday with a 98-77 victory over the Washington Mystics, continuing to build on what coach Becky Hammon has emphasized is the team’s approach.

“We’re trying to teach them how to play the right way offensively and be determined defensively – intentional, physical,” she said Thursday.

Las Vegas has scored at least 85 points in every game during its winning streak. Over the last six games, the Aces have averaged 91.3 points per game, compared to 77.2 points per game for their opponents.

Kelsey Plum followed up her season-high 34 points in an 88-69 win over Indiana on Tuesday with 28 points against the Mystics, highlighted by a 6-of-9 performance from 3-point range.

Jackie Young added a double-double of 20 points and 10 assists. A’ja Wilson scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds against the Mystics.

On Tuesday, Los Angeles (4-15) squandered a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter of a heartbreaking 82-80 loss, also to Washington. The Mystics outscored the Sparks 30-16 in the fourth quarter.

Dearica Hamby was one of four Los Angeles starters to score double-digits. Her 16 points and 11 rebounds marked her 12th double-double of the season and first since June 14.

Forward Stephanie Talbot, who has played a larger role since rookie Cameron Brink suffered a season-ending ACL injury, scored a season-high 17 points to tie Aari McDonald’s team record.

“We did a lot of good things at times. It’s not going to be a good thing because of the fourth quarter,” coach Curt Miller said after Tuesday’s loss. “It’s never as good as you think it is and it’s never as bad. … In the fourth quarter, we did some decent things.”

Miller pointed out that the team’s 61.1 percent free throw shooting percentage contributed to the loss to the Mystics. At 75.4 percent on the season, Los Angeles ranks second-to-last in the 12-team league in free throw shooting, compounding the Sparks’ overall struggles in scoring.

They average 78 points per game, while the Aces lead the league with 88.3.

Los Angeles’ last win came on June 9, in a penalty shootout against Las Vegas (96-92). The away loss is part of a three-game losing streak for the Aces, who have a 7-1 record since the end of the season.