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Las Vegas Aces at Los Angeles Sparks (+1.5, 157.5)
The return of WNBA superstar Candace Parker was supposed to “spark” Los Angeles – not plunge the team to the bottom half of the Western Conference.
The Sparks are 0-3 since the former MVP joined the lineup (and on a four-game losing skid entering Thursday) after missing the start of the schedule with a hamstring injury, but Parker finally showed shades of her veteran talent with a 12-point effort through 28 and a half minutes (3-for-10 shooting) in Sunday’s loss at Phoenix. That came on the heels of a collective five points on a combined 2-for-18 shooting in her first two games back.
Parker gets a big challenge in the talent-rich Las Vegas Aces Thursday. However, the Aces are another WNBA team not meeting its lofty expectations. Las Vegas has been terribly inconsistent, most notably on the road where it owns a 1-3 mark against the spread despite playing some of the league’s weakest defenses. The Aces have allowed an extra 7.2 points against when in the role of visitors, which makes a big difference to those laying the points with Vegas as a road favorite in each of those four away games.
The Sparks have had some time to rest (played three games - two on the road - in six days) and reflect on their poor start to the year since losing at Phoenix last weekend and entered this week’s practices with the largest number of healthy bodies they’ve had all season. That time should help with the chemistry that’s been lacking in Derek Fisher’s new offense, which has stumbled during this losing skid – averaging 69.5 points during those four losses.
Those quality practice reps and a sense of desperation on their home floor will evoke a spirited effort from L.A. – at least in the opening 20 minutes. Things may fall apart after the break, so keep this one to the first half.
PREDICTION: Los Angeles first-half +1
Wednesday’s picks: 2-0
Season to date: 26-16
The return of WNBA superstar Candace Parker was supposed to “spark” Los Angeles – not plunge the team to the bottom half of the Western Conference.
The Sparks are 0-3 since the former MVP joined the lineup (and on a four-game losing skid entering Thursday) after missing the start of the schedule with a hamstring injury, but Parker finally showed shades of her veteran talent with a 12-point effort through 28 and a half minutes (3-for-10 shooting) in Sunday’s loss at Phoenix. That came on the heels of a collective five points on a combined 2-for-18 shooting in her first two games back.
Parker gets a big challenge in the talent-rich Las Vegas Aces Thursday. However, the Aces are another WNBA team not meeting its lofty expectations. Las Vegas has been terribly inconsistent, most notably on the road where it owns a 1-3 mark against the spread despite playing some of the league’s weakest defenses. The Aces have allowed an extra 7.2 points against when in the role of visitors, which makes a big difference to those laying the points with Vegas as a road favorite in each of those four away games.
The Sparks have had some time to rest (played three games - two on the road - in six days) and reflect on their poor start to the year since losing at Phoenix last weekend and entered this week’s practices with the largest number of healthy bodies they’ve had all season. That time should help with the chemistry that’s been lacking in Derek Fisher’s new offense, which has stumbled during this losing skid – averaging 69.5 points during those four losses.
Those quality practice reps and a sense of desperation on their home floor will evoke a spirited effort from L.A. – at least in the opening 20 minutes. Things may fall apart after the break, so keep this one to the first half.
PREDICTION: Los Angeles first-half +1
Wednesday’s picks: 2-0
Season to date: 26-16
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