LOS ANGELES — The Sparks turned up their defensive intensity in the fourth quarter as they tried to overcome a 13-point deficit.

They pulled within a point with 3:44 to go but came up short in an 88-82 loss to the Atlanta Dream at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night.

Sparks forward Dearica Hamby scored 20 of her game-high 28 points in the second half. She also had eight assists and six rebounds.

Sparks guard Kelsey Plum scored 19 of her 27 points in the second half. Azurá Stevens finished with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Plum’s three-point play cut Atlanta’s lead to 51-45 with 4:47 left in the third quarter. However, Atlanta scored seven straight points to go up 58-45 with 3:45 left in the third.

The Sparks trailed 66-53 heading into the fourth quarter. However, the home team began the fourth on a 10-0 run and cut it 66-63 with 7:42 left.

Sparks rookie forward Liatu King’s jumper cut it to 69-67 with 5:20 to go. Plum’s 3-pointer got L.A. within 71-70 with 4:22 to go.

However, Atlanta pulled away late and secured the six-point victory.

Atlanta (4-2) was led by its trio of All-Stars. Allisha Gray had 25 points, six assists and five rebounds. Rhyne Howard posted 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Brionna Jones added 13 points.

Meanwhile, Sparks forward Rickea Jackson was held scoreless in 12 minutes off the bench. Jackson checked in with 4:30 left in the first quarter after missing three straight games while recovering from a concussion that she suffered May 18.

Both teams hoisted freely from beyond the arc.

The Sparks went 8 of 19 (42.1%) from 3-point range, including 4 of 10 in the first half.

Atlanta finished the game by going 11 of 30 (36.7%) from beyond the arc, including 4 of 18 in the first half.

“We kind of believe in a similar philosophy in terms of shot selection,” Atlanta coach Karl Smesko said.