Set to face a leaky Los Angeles defense on Tuesday night, Douglas Farmer anticipates Kayla McBride’s shooting ability to reign supreme for the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Lynx. See more below in our latest WNBA handicap.
The Minnesota Lynx are without their MVP candidate these days, as Napheesa Collier has no timetable to return while fighting plantar fasciitis.
Some may see that and ponder the value in the Los Angeles Sparks, but the correct adjustment is more obvious and specific than that. Minnesota has more than one superstar, and my Lynx vs. Sparks predictions will trust the other on Tuesday night.
Find out more in our WNBA picks for July 9.
Lynx vs Sparks predictions
My best betKayla McBride Over 16.5 points (+105 at BetRivers)
My analysisBoth Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier played in all 20 of the Minnesota Lynx’s games before Collier missed action on Saturday.
McBride did not exactly shine in Collier’s absence, going 6-of-12 from the field for 17 points against the Washington Mystics. But even on an off night, the Lynx guard cleared her upcoming scoring prop of 16.5 points.
Since June 8, the Los Angeles Sparks defense ranks second-worst in the WNBA, more than two buckets per 100 possessions worse than Washington’s. McBride struggling against the Mystics does not mean she will do so against the Sparks, not by any means.
With a month-long WNBA break coming up in a week, logic expects Collier to miss these next four games in hopes of recovering in time to play in the Olympics. A greater chunk of the looks should go to McBride, enjoying a preposterous shooting season, hitting 43.8% of her threes while averaging 6.9 attempts per game.
If even one of Collier’s 2.9 attempts from deep per game ends up in McBride’s hands, then this points prop is decidedly too low. The Sparks may focus their defense more on McBride than if Collier was available, but the Sparks’ defense lacks bite, even if focused, and McBride’s shooting is too reliable to doubt her in Collier’s absence.
Lynx vs Sparks same-game parlay (SGP)
Kayla McBride Over 16.5 points
Kayla McBride Over 2.5 threes
Lynx first half moneyline / Lynx full game moneyline
McBride has made at least a pair of 3-pointers in her last four games and in nine of her last 12 games across the last month.
Tailing McBride logically coincides with tailing the Lynx. Knocking their power ratings without Collier makes sense, but diminishing them aggressively against a woeful defense is rash.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Lynx vs Sparks odds
Lynx vs Sparks live odds
Get the latest Lynx vs Sparks WNBA odds for tonight.
Lynx vs Sparks opening odds
Spread: Minnesota -7.5 (-110) | Los Angeles +7.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Minnesota -375 | Los Angeles +280
Over/Under: Over 156.5 (-105) | Under 156.5 (-115)
Lynx vs Sparks spread and Over/Under analysis
The Lynx opened as 7.5-point favorites when this market hit the board and has since seen the spread slightly juiced in favor of the Sparks at -120.
The total opened at 156.5 and ticked down to 155.5 by Monday afternoon.
Six of Los Angeles’s last nine games have gone Under their totals, as have Minnesota’s last four contests.
Lynx vs Sparks trend
The Sparks have lost outright in nine of their last 10 games, the one exception needing overtime. Find more WNBA betting trends for Lynx vs. Sparks.
Lynx vs Sparks game info
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date: Tuesday, 7-9-2024
Tip-off: 10:00 p.m. ET
TV: Spectrum Sportsnet, Bally Sports North
Lynx vs Sparks latest injuries
Lynx: Napheesa Collier F (Out), Olivia Epoupa G (Out). Sparks: Azura Stevens F (Out), Lexie Brown G (Out), Cameron Brink F (Out), Julie Allemand G (Out). Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
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