Tuesday’s WNBA slate has many matchups between teams fighting for the same territory. The Lynx and Storm are fighting for top playoff seeds. The Wings and Sun are fighting for their first win. Then, the Los Angeles Sparks and Atlanta Dream are having a battle for the middle of the standings.
These Sparks are looking to put a brutal 2024 behind them. Their eight-win campaign was punctuated by a knee injury to their top pick, Cameron Brink, who remains out. Now with Kelsey Plum in tow, they’re looking to make a rapid jump into the playoff picture, and may do just that.
Meanwhile, the Dream hope to repeat last season’s playoff appearance, and then some. They’re experiencing a breakout from Allisha Gray, who is on pace to make her third straight All-Star appearance. Rhyne Howard is struggling early, but won’t shoot 30% forever. The Brionna Jones-Brittney Griner frontcourt tandem looks like a good match in their debut Atlanta seasons. With the star backcourt and imposing frontcourt, Atlanta could make some noise in the East.
The Sparks are 1.5-point favorites at home and are -130 on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is set at 162 points. Let’s look at the best bets and predictions for this contest.
Prediction for Dream vs. Sparks
These two teams can get BUCKETS. Both are in the top five in offensive rating to start the year, and conversely, haven’t done much in the way of stopping.
Plum has shouldered the Sparks offense, to the surprise of nobody, with her 24.8 PPG. However, the contributions of Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens to this offense cannot be understated. Allisha Gray has shown the way for Atlanta, but Rhyne Howard is waiting to explode at any moment. And with Brittney Griner out for tomorrow, it could be a track meet with many points. I’m expecting a high-scoring affair that the Dream should pull out.
Pick for Dream vs. Sparks
Atlanta Dream Moneyline (+110)
Atlanta is flat-out the better team in this contest. Even without Griner, who is essential, I think they have the talent and depth edge in this one.
Their backcourt has a license to cook for the entire game. Plum is excellent, but with her offensive burden, there’s not much left for defending. Rickea Jackson seems unlikely to return for this one. Odyssey Sims is a good defender but the size and skill of Howard and Gray is a lot to compete with. And without Cameron Brink, I’m not sure if the Sparks have an answer for Brionna Jones either. Yes, the Plum/Stevens/Hamby trio has the talent to pull this one out, but the pace of this game may wear them down. I’ll always take the better team at plus money.
Total Over 162 (-110)
As I said, we could be headed for a track meet in this one. Neither team will have its primary rim protectors due to injury. There’s not a lot of perimeter defense to be had on either side. In total, there are five players scoring 15+ PPG between the two teams, and some serious offensive juice.
Everything in this one adds up to an over. I’m surprised the total isn’t closer to 170, but I’m not complaining.
