Seattle Storm vs Los Angeles Sparks Prediction, Picks, and Odds: Loyd's Scoring Run Continues

The post-Breanna Stewart era is off to a slow start in Seattle, with the Storm still looking for their first win of the season as they face the Los Angeles Sparks as WNBA odds underdogs tonight.

Replacing Stewart’s All-Star numbers has been predictably tough for the Storm and they’re sitting at 0-3 despite Jewell Loyd shining as the team’s go-to scorer.

This is the second night of a back-to-back set for the Sparks, and they’re now 2-2 this season after squeezing past the Phoenix Mercury in a gutsy 99-93 overtime win last night. 

Get the lowdown on this June 3 matchup with our free WNBA picks and predictions for Storm vs. Sparks.

Storm vs Sparks best odds

Storm vs Sparks picks and predictions

It’s no easy task for Seattle to replace the 21.8 points and 7.6 rebounds that Stewart provided last season, but Jewell Loyd is doing her best to soak up the scoring part of that equation. 

Embracing an even bigger role in the offense, Loyd is averaging 26 points over the Storm’s first three games. Her efficiency has been up and down – she’s shooting just under 40% - but the volume is there, with Loyd reaching 25 field goals attempts in two of Seattle’s three games.

I’m expecting more of the same from Loyd tonight, with the Storm enjoying an edge as the fresher team after the Sparks’ OT battle in Phoenix last night. Chiney Ogwumike, Layshia Clarendon and Jordin Canada all played for L.A. last night despite battling illness, and it’s fair to question how much the Sparks will have left in the tank here.

Filling some of the Stewart-sized void, Loyd has made two or more triples in each game this year and has been reliable at the free-throw line, shooting 86% at the charity stripe on seven attempts a game. Even with the rest of the Seattle offense still a work in progress (the visitors have fallen short of the 80-point mark in two of their first three games), she has found a way to get good looks.

With Seattle desperate for its first win of the season, I see the ball being in Loyd’s hands early and often at Crypto.com Arena, and I’m grabbing the Over on this points prop.

My best bet: Jewell Loyd Over 23.5 Points (-115 at bet365)

Storm vs Sparks spread and Over/Under analysis

The Storm are still winless, but they gave the New York Liberty a real test last time out in what was an emotional return to Seattle for Stewart. Even so, the visitors start as clear underdogs tonight, though a 5.5-point line feels a little high given the Sparks’ quick turnaround after last night’s OT victory.

The Storm’s 6-1 ATS mark in their last seven road games adds to the case for taking the points, though they’re 1-6 ATS in the teams’ last seven meetings.

In contrast, the Storm haven’t played since Tuesday and have the offensive talent to attack any defensive dips from the hosts. Loyd is a bucket-getter and I expect her scoring spree to continue here, but the visitors will also need steadier numbers from guard Kia Nurse, who went 2-for-9 for five points against the Liberty.

Seattle has work to do on the defensive end after being shredded at times this season. The Las Vegas Aces torched the Storm on the way to 105 points in the season opener, while the Dallas Wings posted 95 points in their win last week. Seattle was marginally better on that end against the Liberty but still gave up 86 points.

While fatigue may be a factor for the Sparks, their offense looked sharp again against the Mercury last night, as Lexie Brown and Nneka Ogwumike combined for 47 points. L.A. shot 49% from the field and should find favorable matchups tonight.

Dating back to last season, the Over is 10-1 in the Storm’s last 11 games after a SU loss and 5-1 in their last six Saturday games. The Sparks trend in that same direction, with the Over hitting in six of their last seven contests and in four of their last five outings against fellow Western Conference teams.

Storm vs Sparks betting trend to know

The Sparks love to keep the scoreboard ticking over at home — and the Over has been a winning ticket in their last five games at Crypto.com Arena. Find more WNBA betting trends for Storm vs. Sparks.

Storm vs Sparks game info

Storm vs Sparks key injuries

Storm: No injuries to report.
Sparks: Chiney Ogwumike F (Questionable), Layshia Clarendon G (Questionable), Jordin Canada G (Questionable), Azura Stevens F (Out), Jasmine Thomas G (Out).

Find our latest WNBA injury reports.

Pages related to this topic