With a three-time league MVP in the post and a rookie phenom at her side, the Los Angeles Sparks boast perhaps the most productive frontcourt in the WNBA. Coach Michael Cooper wishes he could say the same about his backcourt.

After losing in overtime despite strong performances from Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker, the Sparks look to bounce back Tuesday night when they host the New York Liberty.

Los Angeles center Leslie - the WNBA MVP in 2001, '04 and '06 - had 16 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks Thursday night, and rookie forward Parker added 17 points, five boards and three blocks. However, starting guards Kiesha Brown and Marie Ferdinand-Harris combined for seven points and four turnovers while shooting 3-for-12 from the field as the Sparks fell 77-74 in overtime.

"It was a horrible game by us," said Cooper, whose team was held scoreless on 0-for-8 shooting in the extra period. "We've got to get us a point guard, somebody who can handle pressure and do all the things that we need her to do. We've just got to rebound from this."

The Sparks (10-4) will try to do that and protect the best record in the Western Conference as they host a Liberty team entering the second game of a season-high five-game road trip.

New York (7-7) dropped the opener 82-78 in Sacramento on Saturday night, due in large part to its struggles at the free-throw line. The Liberty shot 48.4 percent from the field but 45.8 percent (11-for-24) from the line in falling to 1-5 away from Madison Square Garden.

"I thought we got the shots we wanted to get (from the floor)," said Liberty coach Pat Coyle, whose team is 11th in the league in foul shooting at 73.8 percent. "We just didn't knock down the free throws."

Despite their problems on the road, the Liberty remain optimistic about the rest of their trip.

"We still have four games to go," said forward Shameka Christon, the team leader with a career-high 15.1 points per game. "This is definitely one we could've had, but now we have to focus on getting the next one."

This will be the first meeting of the season between these clubs, who split their season series in 2007.

New York guard Loree Moore made five 3-pointers and had 20 points, five assists and six steals as the Liberty beat the Sparks 80-68 at Staples Center last June 29. However, Los Angeles played that game without Parker - then a college star at Tennessee - and Leslie, who missed all of last season while on maternity leave.