The Los Angeles Sparks (5-10) and New York Liberty (11-5) meet in the WNBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EDT at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The game will broadcast live on FOX5 New York.
Let's get into my Sparks vs. Liberty prediction and WNBA picks for Thursday, July 3.
The Liberty are 9.5-point favorites over the Sparks on the spread (Liberty -9.5), with the over/under set at 168.5 total points. New York is a -575 favorite to win outright, while Los Angeles is +425 to pull off the upset.
Sparks vs. Liberty Prediction, Odds
| Sparks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 168.5 -110o / -110u | +425 |
| Liberty Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 168.5 -110o / -110u | -575 |
- Sparks vs. Liberty Spread: Liberty -9.5
- Sparks vs. Liberty Over/Under: 168.5 total points
- Sparks vs. Liberty Moneyline: Sparks +425, Liberty -575
- Sparks vs. Liberty Best Bet: Breanna Stewart Over 20.5 Points
Sparks vs. Liberty Preview
The Liberty and the Sparks face off in each team's first game since Sunday. They should be coming into this matchup well-rested and ready to compete.
The Liberty have been a dramatically different team without Jonquel Jones (ankle). The biggest swing has come on the defensive side of the ball.
They are surrendering 18 more points per 100 possessions while playing at a significantly faster pace which is shocking considering they are already the fastest team in the league. This is generating more possessions all around.
While Breanna Stewart does not see a significant uptick in Usage without Jonquel, this matchup aligns with her strengths. The Sparks have the third-worst Defensive Rating and play at the third-fastest pace in the WNBA.
This is a spot where Stewie's offensive flexibility can shine with transition opportunities. She is averaging 20.8 ppg this season; however, against the Sparks, she's averaging 25.4 over the past few years.
She's actually exceeded 25 points in 7 of her last 10 head-to-head matchups. I'll ladder her points here to 25+.
Sparks vs. Liberty Pick
The Sparks have been terrible this season.
However, with the Liberty's defensive struggles, they should be able to keep this close enough to avoid a total blowout.
Still, Stewart has thrived in this matchup and I'll back her tonight.
Best Bet: Breanna Stewart Over 20.5 Points (-110, bet365)
