Lynx Edge Ahead in Playoff Race

Stacey Lovelace scored a career-high 17 points to lead the Minnesota Lynx to a 76-72 victory Tuesday night over the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Vanessa Hayden scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the host Lynx (13-14). Minnesota moved percentage points ahead of Phoenix and the Sparks in the race for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

Bernadette Ngoyisa scored a career-high 17 points for the Silver Stars (7-21).

Seattle 71, Houston 68 -- Lauren Jackson scored 27 points and led the host Storm past Sheryl Swoopes and the Comets.

Swoopes had a career-high 34 points on 15-for-24 shooting. Jackson had nine rebounds and three assists.

Seattle (15-12) is half a game ahead of Houston (15-13) in the race for second place and home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Detroit 71, Charlotte 64 -- Katie Smith scored 21 points for the host Shock (12-14), which moved within a game of New York for the final playoff spot in the East. The Sting is 4-23.