LOS ANGELES, June 24 (Ticker) -- Chamique Holdsclaw matched a season high with 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Tamika Whitmore added 16 and eight as the Los Angeles Sparks posted a 76-65 victory over the Seattle Storm.

In her first season with the Sparks, Holdsclaw's layup at the 7:47 mark of the first half gave the Sparks the lead for good, 24-23.

On-Demand Video from Sparks-Storm: Play

Holdsclaw also started a 9-0 run that ended with a free throw by Lisa Leslie, giving the Sparks a 35-25 cushion with 4:27 left before the break.

Leslie, who scored 14 points on 4-of-17 shooting, was outshined by Seattle center Lauren Jackson, who scored 21 points. Jackson and Leslie are the last two WNBA MVPs.

The defending champion Storm got as close 54-47 with 12:59 remaining after a free throw by Alicia Thompson. However, Holdsclaw countered with a jumper and Tamecka Dixon connected on a three-point play as Los Angeles controlled the game threreafter.