Can McBride Continue Insane Pace For Minnesota?
Sparks vs Lynx Betting: Los Angeles Is Terrible Analytically
The Minnesota Lynx will look to continue their hot start to the season with a home game against the Los Angeles Sparks tonight. The Sparks vs Lynx betting odds have Minnesota favored by a whopping 13 points at home. The total is 159.5
The Lynx are already 9-3 on the season and have won four of their last five games. Furthermore, the one loss was to the Phoenix Mercury on the road, 81-80. On the other hand, the Sparks have found their footing.
While Los Angeles lost its last matchup against Seattle, the Sparks still added back-to-back victories over Dallas and Las Vegas at home. Still, the Sparks have struggled on the road, losing their last two road games by at least 16 points.
Ultimately, these WNBA predictions and odds won’t be so surprising when we’re done with this Sparks vs Lynx betting preview below.
Sparks vs Lynx
Records: Los Angeles Sparks (4-8), Minnesota Lynx (9-3)
Day/Time:
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Streaming: ION
Sparks vs Lynx Betting Trends
No team has performed above expectations than the Minnesota Lynx. While the sportsbooks are catching on, the Lynx are still 10-2 against the spread (ATS) this season and have evenly hit the over and under through 12 games.
On the other hand, the Sparks are just 4-7-1 ATS but have also evenly split the over and under in their first 12 games of the season.
This will also be the second meeting between the Sparks and Lynx. The Lynx added an 86-62 victory over Los Angeles on the road on June 5 and have ultimately won nine of the last ten games head-to-head against Los Angeles.
Expert Pick: Subscribe below to get our Premium Insights!
Expert Pick: Subscribe below to get our Premium Insights!Meanwhile, the Under has hit eight of the last ten meetings between these two teams, including the earlier matchup this season.
Dearica Hamby’s Extension
The Los Angeles Sparks have extended Dearica Hamby‘s contract through 2025.
Hamby currently leads the Sparks in scoring with 20 points per game. She’s also averaging a double-double with 11.4 rebounds per game.
In addition, she’s added 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Ultimately, Hamby has been one of the best WNBA players this season.
Therefore, the Sparks had to do whatever they could to keep Hamby around.
Kayla McBride’s Historic Start
Kyla McBride has been in the WNBA for nearly a decade. But through the first 11 games of this year’s season, McBride is putting up historic Lynx stats.
McBride is known for being a scorer, especially from downtown. With that said, she’s gone 14-for-27 from the right wing, 11-for-23 at the top of the arc, and has drilled 15-for-28 from the left wing.
Her 43 threes are the most for any player in the first 11 games of a season in WNBA history. The Lynx have a real chance at being the WNBA champions this season, thanks to McBride.
Los Angeles Won’t Have It On The Road
The Minnesota Lynx have scored 86.7 points per game this season. They’ve also added 10.7 net points per game. Both of those numbers rank No. 1 in the WNBA.
In addition, the Lynx have allowed just 89.3 points per 100 possessions to opponents and have given up a margin of just 14.6 per 100 possessions.
Beyond those numbers, Minnesota ranks No. 1 in field goal percentage and have shot 49% from two and 41.8% from 3 points. They’re not nearly as good from the foul line, but the Lynx aren’t getting there often anyway, thanks to their 3-point shooting.
After all, with McBride leading the way, the Lynx have scored 38.1% of their points from 3-point range this season.
On the other hand, the Sparks are the opposite. Los Angeles has only scored 78 points per game, which is just 9th in the WNBA. The Sparks have also had a margin of 10.2 per 100 possessions and have allowed 102.6 points per 100 possessions. Both are 11th in the WNBA.
With Hanby and Cameron Brink, the Sparks are better on the glass. They’ve added 7.4 offensive rebounds, but that’s still only 10th-best in the WNBA. It’s just better than the Lynx, who are 11th-best in grabbing offensive rebounds.
The difference though, is the Lynx make many more shots and have less opportunity to grab offensive rebounds. The Sparks have more opportunities and earn about the same rate.
Los Angeles has also given up 17.1 turnovers per game and has the 11th-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the WNBA.
After looking through these stats, it’s amazing that the Sparks have won four games this season. They’ve given up the most turnovers per game and earned the fewest turnovers per game on the other side. That’s typically a recipe for disaster, especially with the Lynx being so good at forcing turnovers and adding assists.
Therefore, we’ll back the Minnesota Lynx at -13 (-110) at home to close out our Sparks vs Lynx betting preview.
For WNBA betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
