WNBA Best Bets (July 13): Dream vs. Sparks, Lynx vs. Mercury Odds & Picks

Just two games on the WNBA card tonight, both nationally televised, and both in the spotlight with Major League Baseball enjoying All-Star festivities. The Los Angeles Sparks visit the Atlanta Dream in a 7 p.m. Eastern tip, with the game being shown on USA Network.

The Sparks are currently sitting in ninth place, one game back of the playoff chase behind the Washington Mystics. There's actually a bottleneck between fifth place and 11th, with just four games separating the two spots and five teams in between. If there was a right spot for the Sparks to grab a much-needed win, it's against the recently struggling Dream.

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Mercury visit the Minnesota Lynx in the second game, as last year's runner-up continues to make a run toward the playoff conversation despite an 8-16 start to the season. The Lynx look to hang on to the No. 1 spot in the WNBA standings. With the Las Vegas Aces losing last night, the Lynx can move one full game in front of the champs with a win.

The Mercury, meanwhile, are still trying to muddle their way through the bottom half of the standings and arrive with a 5-8 road mark while sitting 4.5 games back of the Mystics. The game tips at 9 p.m. ET and will be on Peacock.

WNBA Best Bets for July 13

If you're searching for further sports and WNBA betting promotions, Ballislife Bets has put together a list of the best sports betting offers here.

Let's take a look at the odds and my best bets for Monday (odds via FanDuel):

Los Angeles Sparks at Atlanta Dream

• Spread: Los Angeles +8.5 (-112) | Atlanta -8.5 (-108)
• Moneyline: Los Angeles (+270) | Atlanta (-355)
• Total: O/U 180.5 (-115/-105)

The Sparks are still without Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink, but arrive in Atlanta riding a two-game win streak after knocking off the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky with an average of 104.0 points per game in the wins. But now they're on the road for the first time since late June, after a three-game homestand. The Sparks are mired in 0-3 SU and ATS road slides.

And despite their recent offensive outburst, the Sparks still rank dead last in the WNBA by allowing 93.2 points per game. And when the Sparks hit the road, there is an uptick of 94.8 points allowed. Their opponents' shooting percentage of .475 is the second-highest in the league. That couples perfectly for the Dream, who are outscoring guests by an average final of 92.1 to 85.5. Atlanta is scoring the second-most points at home this season.

My Prediction: Atlanta -8.5 (-110)

• I realize the Sparks aren't the only ones dealing with injuries, with the Dream listing Brionna Jones (knee) and Angel Reese (leg) as questionable. But, of the top 10 five-player lineups the Sparks have put on the floor, the only one without Plum and Brink has seen them outscored by 17.6 points per 100 possessions. The Dream are on winning runs of 8-2 SU and ATS in this series, with an average point differential of 10.1.

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Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx

• Spread: Phoenix +12.5 (-114) | Minnesota -12.5 (-106)
• Moneyline: Phoenix (+490) | Minnesota (-750)
• Total: O/U 169.5 (-110/-110)

The Phoenix Mercury arrive in the Twin Cities saddled on a three-game slide, including two double-digit losses. Most recently, the Mercury were in Las Vegas on Saturday for a 48-point beatdown. For July, the Mercury are scoring the third-fewest points (75.8). Still missing Natasha Mack, the Mercury are going to struggle against a Lynx team that has bounced back from consecutive losses with revenge wins over Connecticut and New York.

The Mercury have All-Star talent, but they can't match what the Lynx bring with rookie sensation Olivia Miles (18.7 ppg), Natasha Howard (16.9), Kayla McBride (16.2) and Courtney Williams (15.8). The Lynx, who have won seven of their last nine in Minneapolis, are the only team in the league beating their guests by an average of double digits, with a league-high +10.4 point differential. And when they're facing the Western Conference this season, they've scored 93.9 points while allowing just 80.4 per game.

My Prediction: Minnesota Lynx -12.5 (-106)

• Minnesota is 2-0 in the season series, and both wins came in Phoenix. First, a four-point squeaker in May, and then a 34-point demolition in June. Now the Mercury head into Minneapolis, where the Lynx have dominated this series with eight-straight victories by an average of 15.0 points per win. And, every victory came by double digits, including a double-OT game in 2022.

Bonus WNBA Over/Under Bet for July 13

My Prediction: Under -169.5 (-110)

• Yes, the past five meetings have gone over, with the average final tally coming in at 171.8 points. But let's stick with the Lynx's eight-game home win streak, as the average final has been 151 points per meeting. And at home this season, the Lynx are allowing the league's fourth-lowest 81.0 points per game. The Mercury have been one of the worst road teams in the league this season, scoring just 79.7 points per game away from Phoenix. And in their last six trips to Minneapolis, they're averaging just 66.5 ppg.

W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Senior Staff Analyst at Ballislife Bets. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez.