Connecticut Sun vs. Los Angeles Sparks: WNBA Odds and Prediction
The Connecticut Sun (5-23) visit the Los Angeles Sparks (13-15) on Thursday in the third and final meeting between the teams this regular season. The Sparks are one game outside of the final playoff spot, making this pretty much a must-win home game against the league’s worst. While both teams struggled early, they’ve recently shown signs of life. The Sun have pulled off some surprising wins, going 3-7 in their last 10, while the Sparks have won eight of their last 10. Los Angeles is 2-0 in the season series, winning 92-88 at home and 101-86 on the road.
Check out all of Sports Interaction’s WNBA odds before making your picks.
Connecticut Sun vs. LA Sparks WNBA Odds, Betting Trends
The Sparks are 11.5-point favourites at home with the total set at 174.5, which are both the largest spread and highest total among Thursday’s WNBA games. Los Angeles has won by 12+ points just five times all year and only twice since early July, despite their hot streak. Meanwhile, the Sun are 3-10 against this spread on the road and just 1-12 away from home. Both prior meetings between these teams went over the total, with combined scores of 180 and 187. The Sparks have scored 92+ points in seven straight wins and hit the 100-point mark in four of their last five overall.
Connecticut Sun
Despite their last-place record, the Sun have shown some spark recently, upsetting winning teams like the Liberty, Storm and Valkyries. Offensively, Tina Charles (16.4 ppg) and Marina Mabrey (14.4 ppg) remain their only consistent double-digit scorers, though Bria Hartley has played well against LA (16.5 ppg vs Sparks). The Sun rank last in both offensive and defensive rating and have struggled with turnovers, second-chance points allowed and defending in the paint – all weaknesses the Sparks are well-suited to exploit.
Los Angeles Sparks
The Sparks are surging at the right time. Oddly enough, they’ve been better on the road (9-6) than at home (4-9), though they did just notch a 100-91 win over Indiana in LA. Offensively, they’re hitting their stride, ranking fifth in offensive rating and second in pace. Kelsey Plum is on fire with five straight games of 20+ points and 6+ assists, and in two games against the Sparks, she has totaled 53 points on 18-of-29 shooting, plus nine assists. Rickea Jackson has scored 25+ in two straight and 22+ in five of her last seven. Azurá Stevens, better known for her rebounding, has posted 17+ points in four of her last five and Dearica Hamby has four double-doubles in her last six. LA boasts one of the most balanced scoring attacks in the league right now.
WNBA Prediction: Who Will Win Sun vs. Sparks?
With both teams at full strength and the Sparks’ offence clicking, this game sets up as another high-scoring affair. Both defences are extremely porous, ranking bottom three in the league, especially when it comes to fast-break points, opponent points in the paint, second-chance points and points off turnovers. The Sun have proven pesky but unreliable on the road, and the Sparks’ recent scoring consistency should be enough to pull away late, even if the spread is a bit too wide to back. Expect another Over to cash and the Sparks to complete the season sweep, although they might not have enough to cover the lofty spread. Kelsey Plum is, of course, the player to watch for the Sparks, but the team’s deep supporting cast, including Stevens’ and Hamby’s work down low, should be problematic for the Sun’s defence.
Expect a score in the region of 96-87 in favour of the Sparks.
