Los Angeles Sparks vs. Indiana Fever Preview, Prediction and Odds - 8/31/21
It’s an interconference battle of teams on the outside looking in for the WNBA playoff picture on the hardwood in the Hoosier State. The Los Angeles Sparks are on the road as they make the trip to face the Indiana Fever Tuesday night. Los Angeles was swept in a two-game road set by Connecticut as they fell 76-61 in their most recent contest Saturday night. Indiana was dropped 87-71 at home by Las Vegas in their most recent contest Saturday afternoon. The Sparks have won nine of the last 10 meetings, including each of the last seven, between the teams. That includes a 75-70 home victory in the most recent matchup on August 15.
Los Angeles Sparks Looking to Regroup
Los Angeles suffered their third straight loss as they were swept in a two-game road set by the league-leading Sun. The Sparks enter this game 10th in the WNBA standings, half a game behind the Liberty for the final playoff spot. Against Connecticut, Los Angeles hung in the game for two and a half quarters before seeing Connecticut take control of the game. The Sparks led by five after the opening quarter, trailed by three at the half and were within two with 6:47 to play in the third quarter. Los Angeles then went ice cold, giving up a 21-5 run to trail 65-47 with 7:40 to go and that told the tale. The Sparks shot 37.7% from the field, including eight of 21 from three-point range, and were wiped out 38-18 on the boards. Erica Wheeler had 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists to lead the team in the loss.
On the season, Los Angeles is 12th in the league in scoring offense as they average 73.2 points per game. The Sparks are last in rebounding (29.7 boards per game) and 12th in assists (15.4) this season. Los Angeles is 2nd in scoring defense as they give up an average of 78.6 points a night. Nneka Ogwumike leads the team with 13.8 points plus six rebounds a game this season. Chiney Ogwumike (7.8 points, 4.8 boards) and Kristi Tolliver (9.4 points) are solid secondary scoring options. Derek Fisher hopes to get more from role players like Brittney Sykes, Nia Coffey (8.3 points), Erica Wheeler (13.6 points, 4.6 assists), Te’a Cooper (8.3 points), Amanda Zahui B. (10.4 points, 5.5 boards) and Arella Guirantes. Los Angeles is 12th in field goal percentage on the season as they shoot 40.4% from the field as a team on the year. The Sparks are tied for 8th in three-pointers per game (6.8) and 9th in three-point shooting as they convert 32.8% from beyond the arc this season. Los Angeles is 11th in success at the charity stripe as they cash in 76.3% of their attempts on the year. Jasmine Walker was lost for the season with a torn ACL that she suffered against Las Vegas May 21. Chiney Ogwumike missed 19 games with a knee injury before returning against the Liberty August 22. She, along with Toliver (hand) are questionable for this contest.
Indiana Fever Stuck in WNBA Cellar
Indiana suffered their third loss in their last four games as they were dumped by Las Vegas at home Saturday after more than a week off. The Fever are in the basement of the WNBA standings, 4.5 games behind the Liberty for the final playoff spot. Against Las Vegas, Indiana led by two past the midway point of the opening quarter before getting outscored 15-3 over the final 4:07 of the stanza to trail by 10. The Fever then gave up the first seven points of the second quarter to trail by 17 and never recovered. Indiana shot 40.3% from the field, including four of 15 from three-point range, and lost the rebounding battle 38-31. Tiffany Mitchell and Kelsey Mitchell each had 15 points to lead the Fever in a losing effort.
The Fever comes into this game 11th in the league in scoring offense with 75 points per game. Indiana is seventh in the league in rebounding (34.7 boards per contest) and is 11th in the league in assists with an average of 16.7 dimes per game. The Fever are 10th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 84.4 points a night. Kelsey Mitchell is one of three players for the Fever averaging in double figures with 16.3 points a night. Teaira McCowan (11.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks) and Danielle Robinson (9.9 points, 3.7 assists) are good secondary options. Tiffany Mitchell (11.7 points), Jantel Lavender, Bernadett Hatar, Victoria Vivians, Jessica Breland, Lindsey Allen, Kysre Gondrezick and Chelsey Perry are looked at to contribute for coach Marianne Stanley. Indiana is 10th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 41.4% as a team on the year. The Fever are 12th in threes per game (4.6) while standing 12th by hitting 27.7% of their long-range attempts. Indiana is 10th in free throw shooting as they sink 78.5% of their chances at the stripe this season. Hatar is out indefinitely with an ankle injury while Gondrezick is taking a personal leave and has no timetable for return. Perry (knee) also has been ruled out for the year. Robinson (ankle) is questionable for this contest.
Pick: Los Angeles Sparks
We’re looking at a matchup of the two worst scoring offenses in the league in this contest. Los Angeles has owned Indiana in the last couple of seasons with seven straight wins on the books, including a pair at home this year. Indiana is dealing with some injury issues that are going to take a toll on them at this point in time. The Fever doesn’t do a ton of damage from the perimeter and they have sputtered on the defensive end of the floor. On the flip side, Los Angeles is very good on the defensive end of the floor. The Sparks are the better team when you get right down to it and that carries them to an eighth straight win over the Fever in this one.
Total: Under
Los Angeles saw the under hit for the 17th time in their 26 games on the year in Saturday’s contest against the Sun. The Sparks are dead last in the league on the offensive end of the floor, which, coupled with their solid defensive work, has helped keep numbers down. Los Angeles has seen the under hit in seven of their last 10 games. Indiana has seen the under hit in 14 of their last 24 games but they’ve been under machines of late. After splitting their first 14 games in regards to the total, seven of their last 10 have fallen under the mark. Three of the last four meetings between the teams have stayed under the mark. With the way Los Angeles is struggling offensively, this one ends up short of the total.