(Sports Network) - Candace Parker scored a season-high 24 points and had 14 rebounds, as the Los Angeles Sparks got by the Phoenix Mercury, 81-78, in the regular-season finale for both teams at US Airways Center.

Tina Thompson contributed 16 points and Betty Lennox went for 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Los Angeles, which won three straight to close out the season at 18-16. The Sparks will open the playoffs on Wednesday at home against the Seattle Storm.

It marked the final regular season game in the illustrious career of Lisa Leslie, who announced prior to the season that she would retire following the campaign. The 37-year-old spent her entire career -- dating back to 1997 -- with the Sparks, winning three MVP awards and two WNBA titles in her tenure up to this point.

Temeka Johnson had 14 points and Cappie Pondexter donated 13 for the Mercury, who had a three-game wining streak halted. Phoenix, which ended the regular- season with a league-best 23-11 record, earned home-court advantage throughout the WNBA playoffs. The Mercury will start their postseason at San Antonio on Thursday.

Trailing 80-76 in the final minute of the fourth quarter, Nicole Ohlde's layup with 31.5 seconds remaining got the Mercury to within two. Parker was fouled on the next trip down the floor and converted 1-of-2 from the free- throw line to put the Sparks ahead by three. Kelly Mazzante's three-pointer with under a second left was off the mark and Los Angeles held on for the 81-78 win.















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