Teams on opposite ends of the standings and with different expectations for the rest of this season face off when the Los Angeles Sparks host the New York Liberty. The Liberty have won nine of their past 10 games. On the other side, the Sparks have dropped nine of 10.
Liberty vs. Sparks Prediction
These teams are going in opposite directions, and nothing about this game says it should be competitive. That said, the Sparks do have something to play for — especially their younger stars. One of them, rookie Rickea Jackson, has been playing with consistency and has seen her offensive role continue to grow.
Liberty vs. Sparks Pick: Rickea Jackson to Score 10+ Points (-380)
Liberty vs. Sparks Odds
| Liberty Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-12.5 -110 | 163.5 -110/-110 | -900 |
| Sparks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+12.5 -110 | 163.5 -110/-110 | +600 |
New York Liberty: New York Looking to Stay Hot
The Liberty are coming off a convincing road win over the Phoenix Mercury and look very much like the elite team they were expected to be.
They are led in scoring by stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, who are averaging 19.7 and 19.4 points per game, respectively. Stewart has averaged 21 points per game in six games since the extended break, but Ionescu has sputtered a bit to the tune of 16.5 points over four games.
Jonquel Jones and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton round out the double-digit scorers for New York, who is second in the league in points per game, but has the top offensive rating.
The Liberty accomplish that with a below-average pace, in large part because they are second in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio and make an average of 10 3s per game, all while allowing the second-fewest points-per-game in the W.
Los Angeles Sparks: The Struggles Continue
It has been more than a month since the Sparks last experienced the joy of victory. They came close in their most recent game, a three-point loss to the Dallas Wings in which they scored a season-high 110 points, but were undone by being outscored 40-18 in the fourth quarter.
Injuries have played a massive role in the Sparks' struggles. Dearica Hamby is having a career year, averaging 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, but hasn't had much in the way of consistent help. Only Jackson and Azura Stevens are averaging double-digit points, with Stevens doing so in just 10 games. For her part, Jackson — the No. 4 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft — has scored no fewer than 13 points in each of her past eight games and is coming off a career-best 25 against Dallas.
Their last game notwithstanding, the Sparks struggle on the offensive end. They are near the bottom of the W in offensive rating and are shooting 42.4% from the field and 32.4% from 3. Their 15.2 turnovers per game are third-worst in the league and their turnover percentage is second from the bottom.
Liberty vs. Sparks: Bet This Player Prop
Everything about this game says the Liberty will not only win, but win big. They are more talented and are playing better basketball. However, Jackson has found her rhythm, scoring in double figures in her past eight games and in 11 of her past 12. She'll do it again Wednesday.
Pick: Rickea Jackson to Score 10+ Points (-380)
