Los Angeles at Dallas

Los Angeles is 15-25 and out of the playoff picture, but Dallas needs this game more than the standings suggest. The Wings are fighting to climb out of the 8-seed, and their remaining schedule is stacked with teams like the Sparks that have nothing left to play for, which is exactly the kind of spot where a number gets squeezed too far. Dallas is 15-18 against the spread this season, a number that argues against trusting tonight's line, and the Wings are doing this without Alanna Smith, a key forward ruled out with a leg injury. Los Angeles has actually been the better side of this argument all year, sitting at 18-16 against the number despite the ugly overall record, an offense that can still put points on the board even when the wins aren't there. Paige Bueckers and the Wings are live, but this line asks Dallas to be markedly better than it's proven to be as a favorite. Los Angeles is the right side on the spread tonight.