Atlanta Dream vs Los Angeles Sparks

Atlanta expects to be better this year, but the Dream still will be fortunate to be playoff contenders even though they made the postseason for the first time since 2018. The Dream acquired three veterans, which means last year's two first-round picks, Haley Jones and Laeticia Amihere, might struggle to get more playing time. Atlanta appears to be gathering as much talent as it can without much chemistry. Los Angeles doesn't have Nneka Ogwumike anymore, but the Sparks had a decent draft taking Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. Brink was the National Defensive Player of the Year at Stanford. It may take awhile for things to gel with the Sparks, who have a very young team. Atlanta is 14-3 UNDER as a favorite, 7-2 UNDER its past nine road games and Los Angeles was 14-3 UNDER its last 17 home games. Take the UNDER.

Los Angeles has gone UNDER three straight and eight of its past 10 games as the Sparks have turned up its defensive intensity. The Sparks have allowed only 38.7 percent shooting its past three games and they have won five in a row. Atlanta is 15-2 UNDER its past 17 games mostly due to a stagnant offense, but the Dream exploded for 100 points against Las Vegas while still  losing on Tuesday. The only meeting this season went UNDER by five points and Los Angeles is 6-1 UNDER following a win and 6-2 UNDER versus the Eastern Conference. Atlanta has stayed UNDER seven of eight home games and the Dream are 8-0 UNDER following a loss. Play the UNDER as a Max Play.

Atlanta is tied with Dallas for the fourth-best record in the WNBA. They've won 10 of 16 with the defense improving on a 12-1 run UNDER the total. They come off a 68-67 loss at Seattle, losing despite allowing just 33.3% shooting. Atlanta is 14-7 UNDER versus teams that allow 77+ points per contest. Los Angeles is the third-worst offense team in the league on a 7-4 run UNDER the total. They're also 11th in field goal shooting (42.1%) and ninth from long range (32.5%). Los Angeles is 113-80 UNDER the total at home against teams that average 77+ points and this total is too high. Take Atlanta/Los Angeles UNDER the total.

Atlanta has won and covered two straight after routing Los Angeles 112-84 on Sunday, and now they meet again with the Sparks a slight favorite even though they have lost three in a row and six of eight. Rhyne Howard exploded for a career-high 43 points as the Dream shot 54 percent, but the oddsmaker figures they'll cool off. However, the Dream is #3 in the league averaging 86.7 points and #5 in 3-point shooting with 36.0 percent. Atlanta has covered four of five following a win and the Dream are 14-4 ATS the past 18 meetings at Los Angeles. The Sparks are just 4-10 ATS playing with two days rest and 1-7-1 ATS their past nine games versus teams with losing records. Take the Dream as a Max Play.