Chicago Sky at Los Angeles Sparks (-7, 141.5)
The Sparks finally have found some consistency at just the right time.
Needing to make a charge for the playoffs, the Sparks have won five straight games, going 4-1 against the spread and playing under the total four times. Prior to this streak, they had won consecutive games just once.
Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie both have had to play themselves into shape this season and weren't even on the court together until Aug. 4. During the winning streak, Parker - the WNBA Player of the Week - is averaging 16.4 points and 9.8 rebounds and Leslie is averaging 16.0 and 6.6.
Parker and Leslie may have their way inside as Sky center Sylvia Fowles has missed the last two games with an ankle injury and is not expected to play. Chicago is 0-7 straight up and ATS when Fowles is sidelined.
Pick: Los Angeles
Sacramento Monarchs at Atlanta Dream (-4, 165.5)
The Atlanta Dream are going to have to make part of their playoff push without Chamique Holdsclaw.
The Dream's veteran leader and top scorer has missed most of the last two games with a sore knee and said she would be out for a week. Atlanta (14-12) is tied for second in the Eastern Conference but plays six of its last seven games on the road.
"It’s just really, really sore," Holdsclaw told the Tennessee edition of Scout.com. "(The doctor) didn’t want me to play, because it was really sore in areas that shouldn’t be as tender."
"We’re just not taking any chances with her," Atlanta coach Marynell Meadors told the web site.
The Dream may have a capable replacement in rookie Angel McCaughtry, who has scored in double figures in nine straight games and has totaled 57 in the last two contests, picking up the slack for Holdsclaw. She scored in double figures nine times in the first 17 games.
Pick: Atlanta
