WNBA Predictions Today: Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm on July 16

The Los Angeles Sparks and the Seattle Storm look to extend their winning streaks as both teams clash this Tuesday afternoon, July 16, 2024, at the Crypto.com Arena.

(Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm Predictions: WNBA Team Analysis

After dropping two consecutive home games, the Sparks bounced back in a big way on Saturday with an 87-81 road win against the Dallas Wings.

Forward Dearica Hamby unleashed a 27-point explosion while rookie Rickea Jackson added a career-high 23 points to help the Sparks snap its two-game losing skid.

1. The Sparks aim to sustain its winning momentum when it battles old tormentors Seattle Storm, which is coming off two consecutive wins, including a 28-point massacre of title-contenders Minnesota Lynx.
2. After a close 84-79 loss to the Las Vegas Aces last week, the Storm immediately returned to its winning ways beating the Lynx 91-63 on Friday and the Atlanta Dream 81-70 over the weekend.

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Both teams have faced one another this season with the Storm coming up on top 95-79. But with three games between these two teams, the Sparks have a chance to right the wrong and tie the season series.

Can the Sparks do it in front of their home fans or will the Storm continue its dominant run? That remains to be seen but this is how the current Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm betting lines stand.

Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm FanDuel WNBA Odds for July 16

Moneyline

• Los Angeles Sparks: +360
• Seattle Storm: -500

Spread

• Los Angeles Sparks: +9.5 (-108)
• Seattle Storm: -9.5 (-112)

Over/Under (Total)

• OVER 159.5 (-112)
• UNDER 159.5 (-108)

Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm Injury Report

Los Angeles Sparks Injury Report

1. Li Yueru – International Duties – Out
2. Lexie Brown – Out
3. Cameron Brink – Out

Seattle Storm Injury Report

1. Skylar Diggins-Smith – Ankle – Day-to-Day

Best odds for Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm

• The Los Angeles Sparks have covered the spread in two of their last three matchups with the Seattle Storm. The best Los Angeles Sparks odds to cover the +9.5 spread are on FanDuel at -112.
• The Seattle Storm holds an impressive 6-4 Against-The-Spread (ATS) record when playing away from Climate Pledge Arena. Bet365 offers the best odds for Seattle to cover the -9.5 spread at -110.
• Both teams have hit the over in three of their past five meetings. The best Los Angeles Sparks vs. Seattle Storm odds for the over market total is on DraftKings at -112.

Why will the Los Angeles Sparks cover the spread?

The Los Angeles Sparks opened as 6.5 underdogs across multiple bookies but the line has increased to +9.5 as of press time. Some might say the line should even be wider especially since the Sparks are taking on a Seattle Storm squad that dealt them a 16-point beatdown the last time they faced.

• However, it’s worth noting that this same Los Angeles squad has actually covered the spread and beat the Storm in two of their last three matchups.

Even if their last victory against the Storm was in the preseason, the Sparks have enough firepower to frustrate the high-octane Seattle offense, which ranks third in the league.

• It is also worth noting that the Storm will likely be without one of its key players in Skylar Diggins-Smith in this game.

The 33-year old Diggins-Smith left the game late in the first half against the Atlanta Dream after a collision with Allisha Gray and did not return.

It can be recalled that Diggins-Smith was among Seattle’s main offensive producers in their last matchup against the Sparks, recording 19 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

With Diggins-Smith likely out of commission, the Sparks will have one less woman to worry about.

• That being said, backing the Sparks to cover the +9.5 spread at home at -112 is something worth thinking about.

However, for the Sparks to do so, forward and team leading scorer Dearica Hamby will need every help she can get to go toe-to-toe with a potent Seattle offense. A few players that could potentially help the 30-year old Hamby on the offensive end of the floor are Azura Stevens and Rickea Jackson.

Stevens did not play in their last match up with the Storm due to a left arm injury while Jackson was only limited to three points on one-for-eight shooting from the field.

Why will the Seattle Storm cover the spread?

An injury to speedy point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith late in the first half did not stop the Seattle Storm from completely dominating the Atlanta Dream 81-70 on Sunday.

1. Lanky center Ezi Magbegor spearheaded the short-handed Seattle attack with 18 points while Jordan Horston and Jewell Lloyd added 16 and 14 points respectively.
2. Guard Sami Whitcomb also added 13 off the bench while Nneka Ogwumike contributed 10 points and 12 markers for the Storm who will travel on the road next game for the first time since June 19.

While the injury to Diggins-Smith is certainly a massive blow for Seattle, the Storm has enough depth should the All-Star guard decide to sit this one out. The 34-year old Ogwumike is expected to play with a chip on her shoulder after being limited in their last game against the Dream.

• It is worth noting that Ogwumike led Seattle’s offense the last time they faced the Sparks with 26 points and eight rebounds.

Another thing worth recalling is the impressive ATS record of the Storm.

• The Seattle Storm is 15-9 overall and 6-4 ATS when playing away from home. This is much more impressive than the Sparks dismal 3-7-1 ATS home record.

Besides their ATS records, the Storm is also better than the Sparks on both ends of the floor, ranking first in steals and blocks.

• So, even if Diggins-Smith chooses to sit this one out, backing the Storm to cover the -9.5 spread at -108 odds offers significant value considering the current state of these two teams.

Final Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm Prediction: Over 159.5 (-112)

If Skylar Diggins-Smith was healthy, I would pick the Seattle Storm to cover the spread easily since they are by far the more talented squad.

But with Diggins-Smith questionable and the Sparks playing at home, I am having second thoughts on backing the Storm to walk away with a comfortable victory.

That being said, I am leaning towards the over for this game. In two of their past three matchups, both teams have hit over 170 points.