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The LA Sparks visit the Dallas Wings on Sunday in a battle of struggling teams looking to catch a break and halt their ongoing slide. It will be the fourth and last encounter between the two Western Conference squads, with Los Angeles currently having the upper hand in their season series, 2-1.
Entering the contest, the Sparks (6-23) have lost six straight, stemming from even before the WNBA took a break for the Olympics. The most recent of their losses was on Friday against the Washington Mystics, 80-74.
Meanwhile, the Wings (6-22) have dropped all of their three games so far since returning from the Olympic break, two of which coming at the hands of the New York Liberty.
LA Sparks vs Dallas Wings: Preview, prediction and odds
The game is set to be played at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, with tip-off set for 1 p.m. PT.
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It will broadcast over Bally Sports Southwest Extra and on NBA TV, with live streaming also available on the WNBA League Pass.
Moneyline: LA Sparks (-230) vs Dallas Wings (+184)
Spread: LA Sparks (+5.5) vs Dallas Wings (-5.5)
Total O/U: LA Sparks (o167.5 -110) vs Dallas Wings (u167.5 -110)
Editor's note: It bears noting that the odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed here were arrived at after poring over available information at the time of the writing.
LA Sparks vs Dallas Wings: Preview
The Sparks have had it rough since resuming their campaign following the WNBA break for the Olympics, losing all five of their matches. They have only been averaging 72 points during that stretch while allowing opponents 85.8 points, and losing by an average deficit of 14 points.
That does not bode well against a team like the Wings, who despite their struggles on both ends, have gotten added help with the return of All-Star forward Satou Sabally.
Sabally, who made her return to action on Aug. 16 following a shoulder injury, has been steady for 18 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and two steals in three games so far. Her arrival has shored up the Wings' play, which for the most part relied much on the efforts of veteran guard Arike Ogunbowale (21.9 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.8 rpg and 2.6 spg).
LA Sparks vs Dallas Wings: Predicted Starters
LA Sparks: Dearica Hamby, Stephanie Talbot, Azura Stevens, Rickea Jackson and Crystal Dangerfield.
Dallas Wings: Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan and Jacy Sheldon.
LA Sparks vs Dallas Wings: Prediction
While both teams are currently struggling, expect this game to still be competitive, with the squads going for that skid-busting victory that has proven to be elusive of late.
Dallas is in a better position, though, to come away with the victory here. It is playing at home, where it performs better this season with a 4-8 record, and with the added dimension that Sabally brings to its attack on both ends.
Los Angeles will compete no doubt, led by Hamby and rookie Jackson, but depth, or lack thereof, could be their undoing again in this game.
