Los Angeles Sparks vs Washington Mystics Point Spread Picks

Los Angeles is 2-0 on this road trip, off wins at Phoenix (97-88) and defending champion Las Vegas (101-95) as underdogs of +2.5 and +9.5. Kelsey Plum had 38 points against Las Vegas, with Los Angeles third in the WNBA in points scored (91.5 ppg), second in field goal shooting (50.3%), and No. 1 from 3-point land (37.1%). Washington has lost two of three and is in a difficult spot, coming home from a long four-game road trip, with the last two in Seattle on Sunday and Wednesday. The offense is 12th in points scored, ninth from the charity stripe (75.7%), and last from long range (25.5%). Washington has lost nine of its last 12 at home, including 0-4 when they were favored (-4.5, -2.5, -7.5, and -6). Play Los Angeles on the moneyline.

Los Angeles has won and covered both meetings this season and the Sparks have won seven of 10 overall, including a thrilling 97-96 victory over Dallas on Friday night. Kelsey Plum led five double-figure scorers with 28 points and Dearica Hamby added 20 points for the Sparks, who have covered six of seven against the Eastern Conference and eight of 12 overall. Los Angeles is on a 13-2 OVER run overall and it has gone OVER six of seven road games. The Sparks have gone OVER five straight following an ATS loss and they are 6-1 OVER playing with one day of rest. Washington has sailed OVER three in a row. The Mystics have lost six of nine and they are 2-8 ATS their past 10 against teams with losing records. The Mystics are 1-5 ATS their past six following an ATS win. Take the Sparks and the OVER.

The Sparks crushed Washington in Los Angeles in the last game, 99-80, shooting 53.5%. Newcomer guard Kelsey Plum (20.1 ppg) has upgraded the L.A. offense alongside forwards Dearica Hamby (17.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and Azura Stevens (14.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg). The Sparks are fourth in the league in field goal shooting (45%), sixth in scoring (83.2 ppg), and third from 3-point land (34.7%). They have a losing record, however, because the defense is soft, 12th in the 13-team league in points surrendered (86.9 per game), 11th in defensive rebounds, and 11th in field goal shooting allowed. Los Angeles is on a 16-5 run OVER the total. Washington's defense is eighth in points given up (80.4 per game), on an 8-6 run OVER the total. Look for another game with more offense than defense.  Play Los Angeles/Washington OVER the total. 

Washington is 7-3 at home but 4-7 on the road. They're on a 3,000-mile road trip after playing at Seattle on Sunday. Washington's offense is 12th in the 13-team league in scoring, seventh in shooting (43%), 10th in 3-point shooting (32.2%), and last from the free-throw line (73.7%). They've lost two of their last three on the road, including a 79-71 loss at Dallas as a 7.5-point favorite. Los Angeles plays its third consecutive home contest, off a 92-88 victory over Connecticut. Kelsey Plum had 23 points and Azurá Stevens chipped in 21 points and 11 rebounds. They're sixth in the league in field goal shooting (44.5%) and fifth from long range. The wagering value is on the home team to win the game. Play Los Angeles on the moneyline.