Both of these 6-22 teams, the Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics, are on five-game losing streaks, but the Sparks are 9-5 ATS on the road this season and have covered in both of their games since the return from the Olympic break.
These teams also rank 10th and 11th in offensive rating and turnover percentage, which means points may be hard and ugly to come by, so I’ll take the under here in my Sparks vs. Mystics predictions for Friday, as I have three picks for tonight's game.
This is the third time these teams are playing each other this season, and both of the previous games were decided by two points, with each team winning one. Recently, the Mystics switched up their lineup with the return of Brittney Sykes and Shakira Austin, but it hasn’t been enough to get them back in the win column.
Sparks vs Mystics Prediction
Shakira Austin is primed to go over in points and rebounds in this matchup against a struggling Sparks team. I’ll also be on the under for the game, which has hit in seven of the last 10 matchups between these teams, including three straight most recently. Both games this season between these teams were decided by two points. Neither team has anything left to play for as far as playoffs, but the Sparks are the slightly better team here and should be able to cover on the road.
Sparks vs. Mystics Picks:
- Under 164 | Bet to 161
- Sparks +5.5
- Shakira Austin Over 20.5 Points and Rebounds (-120, FanDuel)
Sparks vs Mystics Odds
| Sparks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -112 | 164 -110o / -110u | +180 |
| Mystics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -108 | 164 -110o / -110u | -225 |
Sparks vs Mystics Preview
Los Angeles’ defense is giving up 85.6 points per game, as the Sparks sit at 10th in the league in defensive rating.
Their offense hasn’t been much better. In their return from the Olympic break, the Sparks were able to score 86 points in a loss to the Sky. Then they had to go through both the Sun and Aces, which resulted in paltry offensive production. Luckily, If ever there were a team for the Sparks to bounce back against offensively, it would be this Mystics team.
The once-mighty Mystics defense has become unrecognizable and now sits at eighth in opponent points per 100 possessions.
In their most recent loss to the Storm, the Mystics were down 14 at the half before slicing the margin to four by the end of the third quarter. They even brought it within one point with 1:38 to play but couldn’t close out.
One Washington bright spot to focus on is Shakira Austin, especially in this matchup. Since the break and on the season overall, the Sparks are allowing the second most points in the paint, which is where Austin scores most of her points. I’m on Austin over 20.5 points and rebounds. Austin went over those marks in two of her last three games, all of which were played against the top-three defenses of Minnesota and New York.
My Sparks vs Mystics Prediction
Sparks vs Mystics Best Bet
You can find this total as low as high as 164 as we get close to tip off, which is now a few points higher than the 161 where it opened. The spread has dropped to five in some spots, but I wouldn't take the Sparks at less than that.
Sparks vs. Mystics Picks:
Under 161
Sparks +5.5
Shakira Austin Over 20.5 Points and Rebounds (-120) FanDuel
