New York Liberty at Connecticut Sun (-5, 143.5)
Looking for their seventh straight playoff berth, the Sun will be without All-Star forward Asjha Jones for at least two weeks.
Jones, Connecticut's leading scorer at 16.7 points and second-leading rebounder at 5.9 boards, scored 23 points in Friday's double-overtime loss at Washington but on Monday was diagnosed with recurring soreness in her left Achilles tendon.
Stepping in for Jones probably will be Tamika Whitmore, who has managed just 10 points and four rebounds in 30 minutes over three games since returning from a 10-game absence due to a knee injury. She is averaging 6.2 points and 2.6 rebonds.
The Liberty have covered four straight as road underdogs, including three straight-up wins. The teams play again in New York on Friday.
Pick: New York
Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks (-5, 152)
It is impossible to figure out the Sparks.
In their last five games, the Sparks have notched home wins over Seattle and Indiana, two of the best teams in the WNBA, for their first winning streak of the season; followed that with home losses to New York and Sacramento, the two worst teams in the WNBA; and followed that by going to Sacramento and rolling to a 78-61 victory Saturday.
During that five-game stretch, Los Angeles averaged 74.4 points. In its three prior games, it averaged 60.3.
Next up are the Lynx, whom the Sparks beat in Minnesota on July 28. The Lynx have lost three in a row straight up and against the spread.
Pick: Minnesota