Los Angeles Sparks vs Toronto Tempo Point Spread Picks

Marina Mabrey put up 37 points and tied the WNBA single-game record with nine three-pointers in Toronto's win over Connecticut last week, and while that kind of night won't be repeated on demand, it confirmed that the Tempo's primary weapon is playing as well as anyone in the league right now. Toronto has been navigating real injury losses on the perimeter all month, with Brittney Sykes and Kiki Rice both sidelined, and their 8-9 record reflects that. But they've stayed competitive at home with Mabrey carrying the offensive load, and tonight they host a Sparks team that is 8-8 on the road and put up just 58 points in a blowout loss to Golden State nine days ago. The Sparks are physical and capable, but they've struggled to sustain offensive output in recent outings. At this posted price, the market is calling this essentially even. The professional money has landed on the home side tonight. Side with the Tempo.

Toronto has its first revenge game in its short history as it looks to avenge a 99-95 loss to the Sparks on Friday. The Tempo cut a 20-point deficit to two with 2:23 left and they had a 42-10 edge in scoring by reserves. Britney Sykes led Toronto with 27 points. The Tempo are 2-1 ATS while Los Angeles has yet to get the money in three games with an 0-3 ATS mark. The Sparks are 1-9 ATS their past 10 home games dating to last season, 3-13 ATS their past 16 games overall. They have allowed 95.7 points per game this season. Take the Tempo ATS and on the moneyline.

The oddsmaker overrated the Sparks in each of their first two games. That pattern hasn't changed, as the Sparks are overrated again here. LA is 0-2, having lost 105-78 to the Aces and 87-78 to the Fever, both as 1.5-point home underdogs. Now the Sparks are hefty favorites against Toronto. The 1-1 Tempo is not your normal expansion team, though. They are veteran-laden, with one of the best starting backcourts in the WNBA. Their guards are Marina Mabrey, the league's second-leading scorer at 26.5 points per game, and Brittney Sykes, who is averaging 16 points and is one of the league's elite defensive guards. The Tempo also has Nyara Sabally, who won a WNBA championship with the Liberty two seasons ago. The Sparks have star power with Kelsey Plum, Nneka Ogwumike, and Dearica Hamby. Perhaps that is why they have been overrated. But their team chemistry has yet to come together, and their defense ranks 13th out of 15 teams. They are also last in defensive field goal percentage. Take the Tempo.