AUBURN HILLS, MICH. ? The Cleveland Rockers aren’t quite sure how they just lost two games to the Detroit Shock.

Three days after Deanna Nolan’s jumper beat them in Cleveland, the Rockers blew a lead in the final four minutes and lost, 74-71, Tuesday.

“This is frustrating, because we shouldn’t have lost to them down there and we shouldn’t have lost to them here,” said LaToya Thomas, who led the Rockers with 17 points. “But that’s a good team, and it isn’t easy to pull these games out.”

The outcome extended Detroit’s winning streak to four games and increased its Eastern Conference lead to three games over Charlotte. The Shock and Sting play Thursday afternoon in Charlotte.

“Our biggest goal is to finish first in the East and get home-court advantage,” said Cheryl Ford, who had 14 points and 14 rebounds.

“It’s fun when you are winning games like this.”

Sparks 77, Mystics 73

Los Angeles — DeLisha Milton matched her career high with 23 points, including a tie-breaking layup with 34 seconds to play, leading Los Angeles. Chamique Holdsclaw had 24 points and 17 rebounds for Washington, but she missed two shots in the final 18 seconds.