NEU » all in play.MALIBU, Calif. -- Lam

The Los Angeles Sparks had to work overtime on Friday to beat Connecticut and secure its 20th win in its first 21 games, tying the WNBA record for the best start to a season.Now Los Angeles will look to continue its winning ways when travels to Atlanta for a 3 p.m. EDT tipoff against the Dream at Philips Arena.The Sparks, at 20-1 on the season, have won nine straight games and all nine of their contests on the road this season.The victory over Connecticut allowed Los Angeles to reach the mark of best record through 21 games as set by the Houston Comets in 1998. Houston ended up 27-3 in the regular season in 1998 -- a record that still stands -- on the way to the second of its four consecutive WNBA championships.It took a Herculean performance from Jantel Lavender -- who scored a career-high 25 points and added a season-best 10 rebounds, and Kristi Tolliver (who scored eight of her 24 points in overtime) for the Sparks to tie the record. Los Angeles was down by 16 points in the third quarter before roaring back.No one wants to be down by that much (in the third quarter), said Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, who leads LA in scoring and is fourth in the league at 19.2 points a game. We didnt come out with the focus that we wanted to and hopefully thats the first and the last time that happens. Today was eye-opening for us.The Dream (10-10) have lost two straight games, both on the road, including a 78-72 setback on Friday at Indiana. Atlanta dropped the first meeting of the season at Los Angeles by nine points, so it knows it can play with the leagues top team.Dream forward Angel McCoughtry is the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the period ending July 10, having honor for the second time this season and the 15th time in her eight-year career.McCoughtry is sixth in the league in scoring at 19 points per game but was held to just nine points by the Sparks in the first game this season between the two teams.Preston Smith Super Bowl Jersey . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. Kyler Fackrell Super Bowl Jersey . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. http://www.shoptheofficialpackers.com/Elite-Marcedes-Lewis-Packers-Jersey/ . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Aaron Jones Super Bowl Jersey . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. Kenny Clark Super Bowl Jersey . With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play.MALIBU, Calif. -- Lamond Murray scored 28 points and Pepperdine survived a scare against Life Pacific, winning 85-79 on Thursday night.The Waves (3-0) led by 15 points with 8:34 remaining when the Warriors, a National Christian College Athletic Association team, rallied to tie it at 79-all on Trent Rowsers basket with 1:40 left.Pepperdines Amadi Udenyi made two free throws with a minute to go, a 3-point try by Rowser rimmed out and Murray scored for the Waves for an 83-79 lead. Murray then blocked two shots and Udenyi finished the scoring with two more free throws with 18 seconds to go.ddddddddddddUdenyi scored a career-high 17 points and Chris Reyes (13 points, 10 rebounds) and Craig LeCesne (10 points, 11 rebounds) had double-doubles.Ramez Michail scored 22 points before fouling out with 3:55 to go for Life Pacific, which counted the game as an exhibition. The Warriors made 11 3-pointers. ' ' '