Los Angeles Sparks vs. Atlanta Dream WNBA Preview and Prediction
The Atlanta Dream are in the midst of the best season in franchise history. The Los Angeles Sparks are battling to avoid missing the playoffs for the fifth straight year. The teams meet up for the second time this season, Wednesday night in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles is 19-20, 1.5 games behind the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever for the final two playoff spots. Meanwhile, Atlanta has set a franchise record for wins in a single season, and the Dream’s 26-14 record has them tied for second in the league.
This is the second of three meetings this season, with the third also coming in Atlanta on Friday. The Dream took an 88-82 decision in Los Angeles in May.
Los Angeles is a seven-point underdog in this game, and their moneyline odds sit at +240 on the WNBA odds. Meanwhile, Atlanta carries a -310 moneyline price, and the total sits at 168.5.
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Atlanta Dream WNBA Odds and Betting Trends
The Dream are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games. Atlanta is 11-8 ATS at home and 4-1 straight up and ATS in its previous five games against L.A. The Sparks are 1-7 against the spread in their last eight contests. They are also 2-6 ATS in the latest eight meetings with Atlanta.
Atlanta has played to the under in nine of its previous 11 games. Los Angeles has played to the Under in four of its last five games, but has also played to the Over in eight of nine on the road.
The Dream covered as a two-point underdog in its 88-82 triumph over Los Angeles in May. The teams easily went over the 160.5-point total.
Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles has won 13 of 19 to revive its season after a 6-14 start, but the team is still in danger of missing the playoffs yet again. Kelsey Plum is among the league leaders in scoring (19.9 PPG), assists (5.8 AST), and 3-pointers made (2.3) per game.
Veteran Dearica Hamby is again having a stellar season for the Sparks. The 11-year forward, a three-time All-Star and two-time WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Award winner, is on pace to set a career-high in scoring (18.2 PPG) and leads the Sparks in rebounding (7.9 REB) and steals (1.6 STL).
Atlanta Dream
The Dream are battling the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury for the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. They have won 10 of 13 to emerge into the league’s top tier after finishing as the No. 8 seed a year ago. Atlanta has lost in the first round each of the past two seasons and has not won a playoff game since 2018.
Allisha Gray (18.7 PPG) leads a balanced attack, with Rhyne Howard (16.6 PPG, 4.6 AST), Brionna Jones (12.9 PPG, 7.2 REB), and Jordin Canada (12 PPG, 5.7 AST) all averaging in double figures. Howard (2.9) leads the league in 3-pointers made per game, with Gray (2.4) tied with Plum close behind.
WNBA Prediction: Who Will Win, Sparks or Dream?
As hot as the Dream have been overall, they’ve only gone 7-5 at home after a 6-1 start at Gateway Center. Three of their final four games are there, so they need to regain that early form in front of their home fans.
The Sparks may miss the playoffs again, but they are closing the season well. Look for Atlanta to pull this one out, but in a tight matchup, 93-89.
