Los Angeles at Phoenix

The Phoenix Mercury have shown to be the team to beat in the WNBA playoffs, so it is a tough draw for the Los Angeles Sparks. The one thing that this team has going for them is that they played better down the stretch. Another thing is that this is a team rich in talent, but underachieved during the regular season, and we have not seen the best of their upside. They closed the rgular season with three straight covers, which included a win vs. Minnesota and just an 8 point loss to Phoenix. They played Phoenix five times, and lost three of those by 5, 5, and 8 points, so they certainly can stay with this team. I don't think we have seen the best of this team, and the line looks too big. And, the Sparks have carried themselves well on the road at 6-2 ATS in their last eight. The Mercury have not been good with a long layoff, having gone just 16-35 in their last 51 on three or more days rest. LA hangs tough here, so take the ample points and make the play on the Sparks.