The Seattle Storm visit the Los Angeles Sparks for the final game to tip-off before the WNBA season pauses for the All-Star break in Chicago.
Thursday’s 10:30 PM EDT game features a team battling for the Western Conference’s top seed and another fighting for a playoff spot.
Storm Is Behind the Aces
The Storm sit one game behind the Las Vegas Aces (15-7) out West. It would be quite the feat to unseat them after a 13-2 start for the Aces. It would also add to the legacy of Sue Bird, who announced she will retire at the end of the season.
The Sparks are in the playoffs as of now but are one of four teams grouped in the middle of the league table within one game of each other. One of those four won’t make the playoffs, and there are several others within striking distance.
Storm vs. Sparks Series Recap
The Storm were dominant with a 95-73 victory over the last-place Indiana Fever on Tuesday. They covered the 11-point spread with ease, and the over of 160 hit by eight points.
Jewell Loyd had 25 points to pace all scorers, including being one of five in double figures, to improve to 14-8.
The Sparks (10-11) are coming off a 78-75 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Monday. They covered the spread as underdogs; the total was well under 167.5.
The defense was excellent as Nneka Ogwumike scored 23 points, with Liz Cambage adding 19 as two of five scorers in double figures.
Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks
Storm vs. Sparks Betting Analysis
The WNBA odds show the Storm are favored by five points on the road with an over/under of 161. Seattle’s Moneyline is -215 with a lucrative option on the Sparks, who are underdogs at +175.
WNBA picks vary, but public bets show 61% of the majority are on the Storm moneyline, and 52% are on the over.
WNBA Betting Trends for Today
Trends show the Sparks have won the last six meetings against the spread, despite Seattle going 4-2 straight up in those meetings.
- The Sparks are 21-8-1 against the spread in the last 30 meetings with the Storm in Los Angeles.
- The under is 23-10-2 in the last 35 meetings in Los Angeles, and it’s 36-14-2 in the last 52 meetings, regardless of location.
Storm Analysis
Bird has been a great ambassador for women’s basketball, even appearing on television broadcasts in the postseason after the Storm have been eliminated.
It seems as if she’ll be around the game even after she finishes playing, which she still does well. She picks her spots to score, averaging 8.3 points per game but is leading the team at 5.9 assists per game.
Storm Offense
Offensively though, the Storm have ways to improve, so it’s remarkable they are at the top of the league standings.
They are ninth in scoring at 79.5 points per game and converting 42.2% of field goal attempts. They are capable on the perimeter, converting 35.3% of 3-pointers (third) and 81.3% of free throw attempts (second).
Breanna Stewart Performance
Breanna Stewart has been great, averaging 20.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Loyd adds 16.5 points per game, and they bolstered the front court.
Tina Charles came over from Phoenix to provide a lift and depth alongside Ezi Magbegor. The Storm are 3-1 since Charles joined the team.
Defensively, the Storm are second at allowing 76.5 points per game and force opponents into 32.8% from 3-point range (third) and 43.1% from the field (fifth).
Sparks Analysis
Los Angeles is the reverse of Seattle in that the Sparks are better offensively. They are fifth in scoring at 82.0 points per game.
Their interior presence is felt with a 45.7% conversion rate from the field. Their perimeter struggles are shown with the second-worst 3-point percentage of 33.2%.
Nneka Ogwumike Performance
They also are ninth at free-throw shooting, making 77.1% of charity shots. Ogwumike has starred, averaging 18.8 points and 7.2 rebounds.
The fit alongside Cambadge, who came over from Las Vegas, has worked out. Cambage is averaging 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Sparks Defense Struggle
Forward Katie Lou Samuelson is averaging 10.5 points per game and converting 40.5% of 3-pointers to provide some spacing.
Still, defensively is where they struggle, surrendering 85.0 points per game for the third-worst rate. Opponents shoot 44.6% from the field (ninth) and 36.8% from 3-point range (11th).
Los Angeles Sparks Injury Report
Mercedes Russell is out for the Storm till after the All-Star break. Los Angeles guards:
- Kristi Tolliver (calf)
- Kennedy Carter (knee)
- Brittany Sykes (illness)
Are all listed as out for Thursday’s game. Forward Rae Burrell remains out, too.
Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks Betting Preview
The Storm have more talent and depth in the backcourt and have enough in the frontcourt to match up with the Sparks, especially since Charles was added.
Still, it will be on the Seattle guards to win perimeter matchups. The pick and roll game could be effective to draw out Ogwumike and particularly Cambage to open up the paint area.
Los Angeles’ Poor Defense
Los Angeles’ worries should be on the offensive end and how their depleted backcourt will create opportunities for their star frontcourt tandem.
The Sparks could be much easier to defend because of how Seattle matches up with Ogwumike, Cambage, and even Samuelson. Or if there is a smaller lineup from Seattle, how will that impact the Sparks?
Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks Betting Prediction
The Storm are appropriately favored, but it could be low scoring. Even against inferior competition, the Storm, who are wrapping up a three-game road trip, have struggled to score. The pick is Storm -5 and under 161.
Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks Betting Pick
Unlike betting on baseball, WNBA spreads tend to be around three-six points. Betting against the spread means a bet on Storm -5 will cash if Seattle wins by six or more points, and conversely, a bet on the Sparks +5 cashes if LA loses by four or wins outright.
The over would cash with team totals being 162 points or more, or the under if it is 160 or less. Moneyline bets are sometimes worthwhile.
A bet on Seattle -215 means it would take $215 to profit $100 for a total payout of $315. A bet of $100 on the Sparks +175 would profit $175 and pay out $275. Moneyline bets are simply for that team to win the game.
The $100 value is used for easy math to explain the situation. Only bet what you can afford to lose and assure you still can cover living costs.
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