As WNBA returns for yet another weekend, the matches are queued up to excite the ardent supporters.
On Friday night, the Atlanta Dream is set to face some heat from Los Angeles Sparks at the Gateway Center. After facing an unexpected slump in the recent time for the hosts, the Dream is hopeful of recovery here while the Sparks need some big wins to avoid drifting away from a post-season spot.
The head-to-head, as well as the odds, paints a clear picture of the Atlanta side dominating the upcoming proceedings with their opponents having a humongous task ahead of them.
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Atlanta Dream vs Los Angeles Sparks: Odds
| Platform | Dream | Sparks | Predicted Winner |
| FiveThirtyEight | 67% | 33% | Dream |
Atlanta Dream vs Los Angeles Sparks: Recent Form
The Atlanta Dream who looked to have sorted out their shortcomings aren’t looking like going deep this season after poor returns in the recent past. If they must close the gap to Liberty who are in 4th place, they got to win the next couple of encounters. They have won 13 matches and lost eighteen, with a home record of 7-9 and a slightly adverse away record of 6-9. In the last 5 outings, apart from that odd victory against Fever, they have not lived up to their potential losing to Sparks, Storm, Lynx, and Wings.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Sparks haven’t had the best of the seasons after finding themselves in a muddle. It is important to note that their key players haven’t fired in crunch situations which have in turn pushed them to the 5th spot. They have managed 12 victories in 31 matches but a home record of 7-8 and an away record of 5-11 hasn’t done any good to their playoff prospects. In their last game against New York Liberty, they went toe-to-toe but failed to finish the job as they lost by a 64-61 margin.
Atlanta Dream vs Los Angeles Sparks: Head to head
Sparks and Dream have clashed about 31 times, out of which 13 matches were won by Dream. Sparks won 12 and 6 matches have been draws.
It’s a pretty decent matchup featuring equal teams.
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Atlanta Dream vs Los Angeles Sparks: Best Picks
Tiffany Hayes
The 2017 WNBA All-Star, Tiffany Hayes is also an incredible pick for today’s matchup. This shooting guard has incredible control over the ball and shoots with a flair only rarely possessed. She’s averaged a solid 17 points per game, stringing along 4 rebounds and 2.3 assists this season.
Brittney Sykes
Despite being 5’9, Sykes is a formidable defender. She can guard anyone full court without any problems, and once she has the ball in her hands she shoots and passes with a smoothness not every player possesses. She’s leading the Sparks’ defensive side, and loves the roles she plays for the team.
This season, she is averaging 10.8 points per game along with 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds. She has been consistent with her performance throughout.
Nneka Ogwumike
This Sparks’ small forward is definitely someone people will have their eyes on. Excelling at close range shooting and interior defense, getting around her will be a massive task for her opponents.
This season, she is averaging 18.6 points, 2.1 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game.
Atlanta Dream vs Los Angeles Sparks: Possible Lineup
Atlanta Dream:Â Guard-Â Erica Wheeler |Â Guard-Â Aari McDonald |Â Forward-Â Cheyenne Parker |Â Forward-Â Monique Bilings |Â Center-Â Rhyne Howard
Los Angeles Sparks: Guard- Kristi Toliver | Guard- Jordin Canada | Forward- Nneka Ogwumike | Forward- Chiney Ogwumike | Center– Olivia Nelson-Ododa
Atlanta Dream vs Los Angeles Sparks: Prediction
It is daylight clear that both sides are struggling to make it to the playoffs given their recent failed exploits. Despite that, the Atlanta Dream are carrying a significant edge with their opponents scrambling to find their feet.
Looking at the predictions by Oddschecker, the Atlanta-based side is the hot favorite to bask in the glory with the best odds of 11/20 while the away men are the second-best team with odds of 6/4.
On the other hand, Oddspedia has also given the pole position to the home club with odds of 1.58 while their opponents have got odds of 2.55. FiveThirtyEight dhas been very liberal in giving the hosts a huge chance whereas the Sparks are expected to up the ante to secure a win.
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