9:05 pm
September 17

Sun v. Sparks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Connecticut Sun (10-12)

Los Angeles Sparks (15-7)

 

Current odds:

Connecticut Sun: (+180)

Los Angeles Sparks: (-210)

 

• The line for this game is Sparks by 4.5 points.

• Los Angeles again has some high hopes after going 15-7 during regular season. Though the Sparks did lose their final two games entering the postseason, they’re well aware the playoffs are a different animal that require a much more intense attitude and focus.

• Despite that late-season rut, Los Angeles still rosters some of the game’s best. In addition to Ogwumike, Candace Parker (14.7 ppg, 9.7 rebounds per game, 4.6 assists per game) continues to build on her league legacy and was named Defensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press. Meanwhile, guard Chelsea Gray averaged 14.0 points and 5.3 assists. Gray totaled 42 points while Los Angeles swept its two-game regular-season series against the Sun by a combined nine points.

• Connecticut also dropped its final two games of the regular season, but rebounded nicely with a 94-81 win over Chicago in the opening round of the playoffs on Tuesday. Alyssa Thomas nearly missed a triple-double while posting 28 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. DeWanna Bonner scored 23 and pulled down 12 boards as the Sun overcame the Sky’s 50 percent shooting effort by owning a 40-21 advantage on the glass.

• Bonner (19.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg during the regular season) and Thomas (15.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4.8 apg) are two of the best of the league, and another strong game could potentially help propel the Sun to an upset on Thursday. Bonner scored 34 during an 81-76 loss to Los Angeles on July 30. Thomas had 19 points with nine rebounds in the Sun’s 80-76 defeat to the Sparks on Aug. 28.

6/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Los Angeles Sparks
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