SPARKS TONIGHT

Opponent--New York Liberty.

Site--Madison Square Garden, New York.

Time--4:30 PDT.

TV--ESPN.

Records--Sparks 8-12, Liberty 15-4.

Update--The goal seems to be receding, Coach Julie Rousseau concedes, but she has promised no letup when her Sparks meet high-flying New York today. Openly disappointed with a 1-2 homestand after losing to Charlotte Sunday, Rousseau talked about now having to play the Liberty before another big Garden crowd. “Our goal is still to win the Western Conference title,” she said. “I’m very happy with the effort we showed against Charlotte. If we duplicate that at New York, maybe we can surprise people.” Assignment No. 1 is to stop New York’s Sophia Witherspoon, who made three three-point baskets in her 24-point game against the Sparks in New York last month, when the Liberty won, 69-57. Assignment No. 2: Block out Kym Hampton, who had a game-high nine rebounds last time.