Parker's career-high 40 points, 16 boards lead Sparks past Comets in OT

CBSSports.com wire reports

LOS ANGELES -- Candace Parker scored a career-high 40 points and had 16 rebounds, six assists and five blocks to help the Los Angeles Sparks rally for an 82-74 overtime victory against the Houston Comets on Wednesday.

"She's only getting better," Sparks coach Michael Cooper said of Parker, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. "I think she's starting to figure this league out, and she's starting to figure out how our team can function and evolve with her -- not around her, but with her.

"The reason why she's able to do what she does is because 'Smooth' is still a force in this league."

"Smooth" is Lisa Leslie, who had 13 points for the Sparks (12-6), who moved within a half-game of first-place San Antonio in the WNBA's Western Conference.

"Our coaches really emphasize Smooth and I establishing the inside game," Parker said. "When you start hitting inside then crazy, fall-away, off-balance 3-pointers will bank in.

"We have great shooters so it's hard for opponents to come at us."

Parker's career-high 40 points....