Dearica Hamby and the Sparks aren’t getting nearly enough credit as they take on the Aces, who are on the second half of a back-to-back, as our WNBA betting picks explain.
The Las Vegas Aces will look to rebound quickly from a Saturday loss when they host the floundering Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena on Sunday night.
The Aces (16-9) became the latest victim of the New York Liberty last night but are heavy favorites to bounce back against the Sparks (6-20), who have lost three straight.
Los Angeles has played Las Vegas tough this season, and I’ll take a look at what bettors should take away from those previous games in my free Sparks vs. Aces predictions and WNBA picks for August 18.
Sparks vs Aces predictions
My best bet
Sparks +16.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
My analysis
Bookmakers seem to love putting huge spreads on WNBA games between the most talented teams and the basement-dwelling squads, and the underdogs never seem to get tired of covering them. That’s the case tonight where the Las Vegas Aces are spotting the Los Angeles Sparks an incredible 16.5 points despite the fact that Los Angeles is 2-1 against Las Vegas straight up this year and 3-0 against the spread.
Obviously, handicapping a game isn’t as simple as looking at three previous matchups, and the Aces have an overwhelming talent advantage here. But like many teams in the WNBA, Las Vegas hasn’t consistently been able to cover as a huge favorite. The Aces may not be as bad as some, but they have only gone 5-9 ATS when they’ve been a double-digit favorite this year. That includes all three games against the Sparks.
The Sparks aren’t at their best, having lost rookie forward Cameron Brink earlier this year to an ACL tear. Yet that wasn’t enough to change the dynamic between these teams in their last meeting on July 6. In that game, Dearica Hamby scored 18 points and collected 14 rebounds in a 98-93 overtime win for Los Angeles, a game they won despite shooting just 37.2% from the field. Once again, the Sparks proved that they are simply a tough matchup for the Aces.
Its not as though Las Vegas has been hot lately, even dating back to before the Olympic break. The Aces have lost two straight and are 0-4 ATS in their last four games. While they remain a potent offensive squad, the Aces rank just fifth in defensive rating this season, and Los Angeles has been able to take advantage of that when these two teams have met, averaging 92 ppg.
Just because the Sparks are 2-1 against Las Vegas this year doesn’t mean I think they’ll beat them outright again. The Aces are the better team, and should expect to win comfortably tonight. But there is nothing about this game that justifies a 16-point spread. I’m taking Los Angeles to cover.
Sparks vs Aces same-game parlay (SGP)
Sparks +16
Over 172
Dearica Hamby Over 18.5 points
The Sparks are getting way too many points to pass up tonight, and betting on them to cover also makes a good centerpiece for our same-game parlay tonight even if we give up the hook. I’ll also take the Over, as these two teams have combined for at least 171 points in each of their first three meetings this year, hitting the Over each time.
With that many points on the board, Los Angeles will have to get their fair share, and that means that Hamby should fill up the stat sheet. She’s averaging 25 ppg in her three meetings with the Aces so far this season and should be the focal point of the Sparks’ offense again tonight.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Sparks vs Aces odds
Sparks vs Aces live odds
Get the latest Sparks vs Aces WNBA odds for tonight.
Sparks vs Aces opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +15.5 | Las Vegas -15.5
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +1,035 | Las Vegas -1,479
- Over/Under: Over 168.5 | Under 168.5
Sparks vs Aces spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Aces are 10-14 against the spread this season, while the Sparks have gone 11-12-1 ATS on the year.
- Los Angeles has covered the spread in all three head-to-head meetings this season.
- The Sparks are averaging a total of 165 points per game in 2024. The Aces are playing to the second-highest average total in the WNBA this season, coming in at 170.7 ppg.
- The Over is 3-0 in the three meetings between Los Angeles and Las Vegas this season.
Sparks vs Aces trend
The Sparks are 4-0 ATS (and 3-1 straight up) in their last four matchups with the Aces. Find more WNBA betting trends for Sparks vs. Aces.
Sparks vs Aces game info
| Location: | Michelob Ultra Arena, Paradise, NV |
| Date: | Sunday, 8-18-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Fox 5 Vegas, NBA TV |
Sparks vs Aces latest injuries
Sparks: L. Brown (Out), C. Brink (Out), J. Allemand (Out).
Aces: None.
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
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