SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Sparks usually don't need much help, but Lauren Jackson gave it to them anyway.

Sparks-Storm highlights: 56k | 300k

Jackson mistakenly put a shot in her own basket to help fuel a second-half run by the Sparks, who overcame the absence of Lisa Leslie for their fifth straight triumph, an 80-68 victory over the Seattle Storm.

With Leslie, the reigning WNBA MVP, out of the lineup with flu-like symptoms, Jackson had a big game with 23 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. But she lost her bearings for a brief second, helping Los Angeles during its pivotal spurt.

Mwadi Mabika scored and was fouled with 11:14 left, giving the Sparks a 55-52 lead. She missed the free throw and Jackson rebounded before inexplicably putting the ball back in her own basket.

Milton's Sparks flew past the Storm. Jeff Reinking WNBAE/Getty Images

The hoop was credited to DeLisha Milton, who made a three-pointer on the next trip to cap the 11-0 surge and give L.A. a 60-52 advantage with 10:32 to go. Milton started for Leslie and had 20 points and nine boards.

The Storm closed to 65-62 on two free throws by Jackson with 5:22 left, but the Sparks scored the next seven points. A free throw by Milton made it 72-62 with just under four minutes remaining.

Mabika had 23 points and nine rebounds and Tamecka Dixon scored 16 points for the Sparks (8-1), who shot 44 percent (26-of-59) from the field and improved to 5-1 on the road.

Rookie Sue Bird scored 12 points and Kamila Vodichkova added 10 for the Storm, who shot just 37.5 percent (24-of-64) and committed 18 turnovers in losing for the fourth time in five games.

Los Angeles improved to 6-1 all-time against Seattle.