Los Angeles Sparks vs. Atlanta Dream WNBA preview and prediction

Brian Burden
Last Updated: 26 hours ago

The Atlanta Dream look to stop a disturbing slide in the WNBA standings when they host the Los Angeles Sparks Monday at 7 p.m. ET.

The Dream started out 12-4, but have lost six of seven and are just 1-2 on their current four-game homestand. That includes a 102-92 setback to the Portland Fire on Saturday. Allisha Gray had 20 points, and Madina Okot added 19 points and eight rebounds, starting in place of the injured Angel Reese, who injured her right foot in a win over Seattle on Thursday.

Los Angeles has righted the ship somewhat, winning two straight after dropping five of six, even as leading scorer Kelsey Plum continues to be sidelined with a lower left leg injury. Nneka Ogwumike had 25 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, and Dearic Hamby contributed 17 points and seven rebounds in a 102-87 victory over Chicago on Friday.

This is the first of three meetings between the teams this season.

Los Angeles Sparks vs. Atlanta Dream WNBA Odds and Betting Trends

Despite their current rut, the Dream are solidly entrenched as 7.5-point home favourites on the WNBA odds, with a -350 moneyline. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is at +275.

The Sparks are 2-4 straight up and 1-5 against the spread in their last six road contests, while Atlanta is 1-5 against the spread in their last six home games. The Dream have won six straight against the Sparks, sweeping the season series each of the past two seasons.

The over/under for this contest is 180.5. Los Angeles, which is allowing 93.2 points per game, has played to the Over in four of five road games. The Dream have played to the Over in eight of their last 12.

Los Angeles Sparks

With Plum out for at least a while longer, Ogwumike and Hamby are the top two offensive options for the Sparks. Ogwumike is averaging 16.8 points this season, but she is going for 20.2 a game since Plum went out of the lineup.

The 25 against the Sky were a season-high, and came two days after she had 24 in a 14-point victory over the Fever. Hamby is averaging 14.8 points per game, but she has gone for 18.2 points per game since Plum went out.

Ariel Atkins had 17 points and six assists, Rae Burrell added 17 points, and Erica Wheeler chipped in with 15 points and eight assists while the Sparks had 32 assists and just 11 turnovers as a team against Chicago.

Those are the kinds of individual and team numbers that will get Los Angeles back over .500 and into the playoff race.

Atlanta Dream

Reese is questionable on Monday, and the team could use her league-leading 11.7 rebounds back in the lineup. Okot did a splendid job in Reese’s absence, but it would be better for the rookie to come off the bench in support right now.

Nas Hillmon had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Jordin Canada added 10 points and 12 assists in the loss to the Fire. Disturbingly, Rhyne Howard had 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting, just the fourth time this season Howard (18.5 ppg) has scored 10 points or less.

She also made just 2-of-8 from long range as the Dream fell to 4-5 this season when Howard made two or fewer 3-pointers.