The WNBA playoff race is getting much more interesting as the Los Angeles Sparks enter the fray. And the Las Vegas Aces aren’t going to be happy about that.
Riding a five-game winning streak, LA has suddenly thrown itself into the playoff chase. They’re only a game behind the Mystics for the eighth seed in the WNBA playoffs. A win tomorrow night could tie them up if Washington falls to the Sky, and put the Sparks only a half game behind the Aces. Excellent timing for Cameron Brink’s return.
Pressure is building in Vegas. At 13-13, it can rise in the playoff race with a strong week, or fall out of it entirely with a bad one. That pressure is showing, as the Aces made lineup changes on Sunday against the Wings. It resulted in a key victory, one that could shape the rest of the season. Vegas will be hoping its new-look lineup can carry it to postseason safely.
The Aces are 2.5-point favorites on the road and -142 on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is set at 173 points. Let’s look at the best bets and predictions for this contest.
Aces vs. Sparks prediction, pick
The major change for Las Vegas centers around its big offseason acquisition. Jewell Loyd, the two-time scoring champ, has struggled all season long. Head coach Becky Hammon opted to move her to the bench, starting Kierstan Bell in her place. It worked to a T; Bell scored 19 points, and Loyd recorded 20 off the bench. It’s safe to assume Hammon will run with the same lineup on Tuesday.
But I’m dubious of their success against a scorching Sparks squad. LA has scoring at an elite level; Kelsey Plum has been leading the charge with Dearica Hamby and Rickea Jackson right behind. And they got the best news of the season today: Cameron Brink is returning to the lineup.
Los Angeles’ defensive anchor has been sorely missed. The Sparks have the third-worst defensive rating in the league going into Tuesday’s game. Her return enhances their paint defense and adds more dimensionality to the offense. It’s unlikely she gets a full complement of minutes in her first game back, but it gives me newfound confidence in the Sparks that I haven’t felt all year. Compared to my confidence level in the Aces, this is an easy choice for me.
