The visitors aim to break their losing streak. Prediction for the Los Angeles Sparks vs Seattle Storm game
Los Angeles Sparks
Seattle Storm
In this WNBA regular season clash, the Los Angeles Sparks will host the Seattle Storm. The game tips off early Tuesday, July 7, at 04:00 Central European Time. I'm offering my pick for the winner of this matchup.
H2H and statistical facts
- The Sparks have won just one of their last five games.
- Seattle has lost nine straight games on the road.
- The Sparks have defeated the Storm in each of their last four meetings.
The Sparks are gradually recovering after a stretch of inconsistent results, but the season remains a mixed bag for the squad. After 18 games, they hold a record of 8 wins and 10 losses, sitting mid-table in the Western Conference standings.
With only a narrow gap to the playoff zone, every victory now carries extra weight. While recent results have been mixed, the team has notably struggled more at home than on the road.
The Sparks' undisputed star is Kelsey Plum, who is once again performing at an All-Star level this season. The guard is the team's top scorer and regularly takes responsibility in crunch time. She's strongly supported by Cameron Brink, who continues to progress after returning from injury, as well as Dearica Hamby, who consistently racks up points and dominates the boards.
The main concern for the home side remains their defense. In terms of points allowed, the Sparks are among the league's most vulnerable teams. If their offense isn't firing at a high percentage, it becomes extremely difficult for them to compete with teams of Seattle's caliber, who are traditionally strong in half-court basketball.
The Storm are enduring a rough patch in the regular season. After 22 games, they have just 5 wins and 17 losses, rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference and still struggling with disappointing results.
Seattle's form remains unconvincing. Over their last ten outings, they've managed only two wins, and those came against teams at the top of the standings. Their road record is especially dismal, with just one away win all season.
The team's leader is Dominika Malonga, who has made noticeable progress compared to last year. However, the lack of balance between experienced veterans and a deep rotation prevents the Storm from sustaining a high level of play throughout the season.
Another negative for Seattle is their head-to-head history: they've lost their last four meetings with the Sparks, including one defeat already this season. If the visitors can't contain Kelsey Plum's impact and limit their turnovers, snapping this losing run will be an uphill battle.
What’s the bet?
Despite losing their last two, the Sparks look like the favorites. They’ve already beaten Seattle this season and have the home-court advantage. The Storm enter the game on a two-game skid and have lost nine straight on the road, ranking among the league’s worst away teams. For these reasons, I’m backing the home side to come out on top.
