Los Angeles at Minnesota

What many believe will be a prelude to the WNBA Western Conference Finals, the LA Sparks travel to Minnesota for a heavyweight bout. The Sparks have lost two straight to losing teams, and look to be vulnerable here. But they have stepped-up vs. winning teams where they are 6-0 in their last six, and I look for the real Sparks to show up for this one. One of those wins was a 6-point verdict vs. Minnesota at home. The Lynx have pounded the scoreboard for 80+ in each of their last 12 games, but this one should be an intense playoffs-like battle, so I expect the defense and pace to be slowed. Despite the pair of losses to lesser teams, the Sparks are still an under-the-radar 9-2 ATS over their last 11 games, and have played four of their last five to the under on a single day of rest. The Lynx own the third best defense in points allowed, so they can certainly play at a playoffs level. The points and total are just too high for an intense battle for superiority, so play on LA and take the UNDER.