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Today is Thursday, July 20th, and there are 3 games left on the WNBA slate today.  The Los Angeles Sparks will matchup with the Minnesota Lynx, The Las Vegas Aces with the Seattle Storm, and the Chicago Sky with the Phoenix Mercury.  In this article, I will break down the odds, stats, and give my best picks for the day.  If you plan to bet and watch the games, each matchup will be aired on Prime Video or NBA TV.   If you are looking for the best betting odds, stats and analysis, here is information to know.

Daily Matchups & Odds

*All odds courtesy of Draft Kings*

Las Vegas Aces -16.5 (-110)

2023 Matchups Aces vs. Storm:
6/15/2023: Las Vegas Aces 96, Seattle Storm 63 (LV -18)
5/20/2023: Las Vegas Aces 105, Seattle Storm 65 (LV -13.5)

*Stats courtesy of the WNBA. All statistics collected and graphed by Sara Jane Gamelli*

Team	Las Vegas Aces	Seattle Storm
Record	19-2	4-16
Record last 10	9-1	3-7
ATS	12-9	10-9-1
ATS Last 10	6-4	4-6
Points Per Game	94 (1st)	79 (9th)
Opponent Points Per Game	78.6 (1st)	86.4 (12th)
Offensive Rating	116.6 (1st)	97.9 (12th)
Defensive Rating	97.4 (1st)	106.9 (9th)

Las Vegas Aces Statistics

The Las Vegas Aces continue their dominance and are coming off a three-game win streak.  The Aces take on the Seattle Storm, who have the worst record in the WNBA.  In addition, the Aces have won three straight against the spread, and in the last three games, Vegas won by 19 points or more. Furthermore, the Aces covered the spread in both their matchups against Seattle this season.  In fact, Vegas had a +35 point differential in both matchups.

Additionally, the Aces covered a 12.5, 17, 11.5, 11, 6.5, and 19 point spread against the Sparks, Mercury, Lynx, Sun, Liberty, and Phoenix again.  It's important to note, Vegas covered two high spreads against a Mercury team, who sit at the bottom of the rankings with the Storm.  Las Vegas most recently beat the Sparks 97-78, and the Mercury, 98-72.  Moreover, they limited their opponents to only 80 points scored in the last five games. In the last 10 games, Las Vegas averaged 94 points and 50 percent from the field.

Las Vegas Aces Analysis 

The Aces sit 1st in the Western Conference Division, led by All-Stars A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, who all rank in the top 6-9 in points averaged.  Those three players alone average at least 19 points a game and are dominant women who play exceptional defense.  Also, Guard Chelsea Gray, is a dime machine, and is fantastic, smooth facilitator.  Overall, Las Vegas holds a +15.4 point differential, signed Ashley Joens to an "Emergency Hardship Contract (According to the Aces PR/Website) with Candace Parker out.  Joens, a former Iowa State player, will provide the Aces with depth and size.  It's important to note, this will be the Aces first game following the All-Star break and are coming off five days of rest.

Seattle Storm Statistics

The Seattle Storm sit last in the WNBA, after losing legend Sue Bird to retirement, and Breanna Stewart to the New York Liberty. The Storm has the worst record in the WNBA and rank last in offensive efficiency.  In addition, Seattle is coming off a seven-game losing streak, in which they covered the spread only once, against a good Liberty team.  It's important to note Seattle not only covered the 15.5 against New York, they covered in their last lost against Atlanta (+14.5).

The Storm rank 9th in Points Scored (79.4) and are averaging only 75.2 points scored in their last five games.  Defensively, the Storm allow the most points.   With that said, Seattle ranks 12th in the league in field goal percentage (39.7), and field goals made (27.5).  To sum up their season, the Storm have the second worst point differential -7.3, and couldn't cover back-to back 10-point spreads against Connecticut and New York.  

Seattle Storm Analysis 

The Seattle Storm, once a very dominant team, are 4-16, and are 6th in the Western Division, Seattle is 2-9 at home, and don't have a ton of offensive or big stars outside of Jewell Loyd.  Jewell Loyd has been a bright spot for both the Seattle Storm and Women's basketball. Loyd, a 2023 All-Star selection, scored 31 points, which is an all-time WNBA All-Star record.  In 18 games, Lord is averaging 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, has a 40.5 three-point percentage.  Loyd's 9.1 three-point attempt ranks first in the league, and also leads the WNBA in points per game. 

Center Ezi Magbegor has been a big offensive and defensive presence for the storm alongside Loyd.  In 20 games played, Magbegor is averaging 13.5 points, 1.9 blocks, 1.2 steals, and 8.4 rebounds. Guard Sami Whitcomb averages 8.1 points per game, however, can be inconsistent in point minutes and points.

Prediction:

Yes, the Las Vegas Aces won their last two matchups against Seattle and has a +35-point differential in the two games.  Las Vegas is too dominant on both sides of the ball and had four players selected to the All-Star game this year.  I expect the Aces to fully dominate this game.  

Minnesota Lynx -3.5 (-110)

2023 Matchups Aces vs. Storm: 
6/11/2023: Minnesota Lynx 91, Los Angeles Sparks 86 (MN -6).
6/16/2023: Minnesota Lynx 77, Los Angeles Sparks 72 (MN -5).
6/20/2023: Minnesota Lynx 67, Los Angeles Sparks 61 (MN -1).

*Stats courtesy of the WNBA. All statistics collected and graphed by Sara Jane Gamelli*

Team	Los Angeles Sparks	Minnesota Lynx
Record	7-13, 2-7 Away	9-12, 4-7 Home
Record last 10	2-8	6-4
ATS	7-12-1	10-10-0
ATS Last 10	2-8	6-4
Points Per Game	79.4 (8th)	78.5 (10th)
Opponent Points Per Game	82.2 (6th)	85.3 (9th)
Offensive Rating	98.5 (10th)	100.5 (8th)
Defensive Rating	103 (T6th)	108.1 (11th)

Minnesota Lynx Statistics

The Minnesota Lynx are coming off an 82-73 loss against the Atlanta Dream and will matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks in their second game coming off the All-Star break.  The Lynx currently sit 3rd in the Western Conference Division at 9-12 and have a sub .500 record at Home.  In addition, Minnesota is on a three-game skid after winning 5 straight games.  In their three-game losing streak, the Lynx couldn't cover the spread, and averaged only 76 points a game.  Also, Minnesota allowed nearly 100 points scored against the Dream, Wings, and Aces.

Overall, the Lynx covered the spread 6 times in their last ten, against the Sparks, Seattle, Mercury, and Fever, who are all sub .500 teams.  Furthermore, the Lynx won all three of their matchups against the Sparks, in which they covered the spread.  Although all games were close, Minnesota won their games by at least 5 games or more against the Sparks.  It's important to note, the Lynx rank near last in defensive rating, and 10th in points per game.

Minnesota Lynx Analysis 

Minnesota is led by All-Star Napheesa Collier, who's having an efficient season.  In 21 games played, Collier averages 22 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks.  After Collier, there is a big drop off in the offensive production from players.  Both Kayla McBride and Diamond Miller average 12 points a game, and Tiffany Mitchell and Jessica Sheppard with 9-10.  Overall, the Lynx are not a great offensive team, and only shoot 31 percent from the three.  Even worse, Minnesota allows opponents to shoot 37 percent from the three, and 45 percent from the field.   I'm looking forward to the matchup between Napheesa Collier and Nneka Ogwumike down in the paint.

Los Angeles Sparks Statistics

The Los Angeles Sparks have a record of 7-13 and 2-8 on the road.  The Sparks have lost six straight games and are failing right in front of us.  Over their six-game skid, Los Angeles couldn't cover the spread, and took losses to the Aces, Mercury, Dream, and Sky.  In fact, the Sparks only covered the spread 2 times in the last 10 games, which came against the Dallas Wings.  Although Los Angeles ranks statistically better in some categories than Minnesota, they have been a complete disaster.

LA averaged 80 points a game, and lost multiple, 1.5, 2, and 5.5 spreads in 6 straight losses.   The largest spread they covered in a total of 10 games was 3, which came against the Dallas Wings.  Overall, this team ranks 2nd to last in 3-Point Percentage (31.1), field goal percentage (41.9), rebounds (32.4), and blocks (2.8).  In addition to everything else, Los Angeles has a negative point differential (-3.6), and allows opposing teams to shoot over 46 percent from the field.  In conclusion, LA's closest point margin came against the Phoenix Mercury) and lost their other 5 games by points or more.

Los Angeles Sparks Analysis

I have a tremendous amount of respect for Curt Miller and the Los Angeles Sparks.  However, they have been a disaster and filled with injuries.  Lexie Brown has been out with an illness, only playing 9 games, and Layshia Clarendon with an injury.  All-Star Forward and Veteran, Nneka Ogwumike is nearly averaging a double-double this season and needs players back to shoot effectively and space the floor.  Zia Cook, the rookie out of South Carolina averages 14 minutes in 20 games played, however, only averages 4.7 points a game.

*I was leaning on the OVER on the Mercury/Sky Game. However, Diana Taurasi is out with an injury, and I don't wish to touch this game. 

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