Sparks vs. Fire Prediction: WNBA Picks for Sunday, Aug. 2
My Sparks vs. Fire prediction attempts to make the most of game with a lot of question marks ahead of tipoff at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday at Moda Center in Portland, Ore. on NBC.
With both teams outside the WNBA championship odds picture, it wouldn't surprise me if either squad made a trade before Sunday's deadline. Sparks star Kelsey Plum is the big name to watch, especially since she is expected to return from injury. Portland is a short home favorite in this coin-flip matchup.
🏀 Sparks vs. Fire prediction: WNBA picks
See all of our experts' WNBA picks based on the latest WNBA odds.
| 💰 Pick | ⚖️ Bet size (units) | 🧠 Why I bet this |
|---|---|---|
| Fire -1.5 (-102 via FanDuel) | 1u → 0.98u | Los Angeles has lost six in a row and might be selling some key players before tipoff. |
| Under 184.5 (-110 via FanDuel) | 0u → 0u | This is more of a lean, as I don't trust my total projection for this game. |
| Bridget Carleton Over 13.5 points (-114 via FanDuel) | 1u → 0.87u | Bridget Carleton has cleared this line in three of her last four games, averaging 19.8 points. |
Total wagered: 2 units | Max profit: 1.85 units
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🏆 Who will win Sparks vs. Fire?
I predict the Fire to win by four points against the Sparks on Sunday. Both teams are on losing skids, but Portland has typically performed better at home this year. The Fire are 6-8 at the Moda Center compared to 5-10 on the road. I expect Portland to end its slide on a day where Los Angeles might be saying goodbye to some key players.
Score prediction: Fire 92, Sparks 88
💰 Sparks vs. Fire prediction & best bet
Fire -1.5 (-102)
As of this writing, Plum hasn't been dealt, and she's expected to return from injury on Sunday. But I think there is a real chance the Sparks move her. Even if they don't, I'd be surprised if Plum sees extended minutes.
The Sparks have ranked 14th in net rating and defense rating since losing Plum in late June, going 3-9 over that span.
With those factors in mind, I prefer the idea of backing Portland, especially at -1.5 or better.
🔥 Best Sparks vs. Fire player prop bet
Bridget Carleton Over 13.5 points (-114)
I prefer to stay away from the Sparks' side until we get a better sense of the Plum sweepstakes. However, I like the value of Bridget Carleton's scoring line anyway.
Carleton is averaging 14.1 points per game in her first season with the Fire. She's playing with even more confidence in recent weeks, averaging 19.8 points and clearing this scoring line in three of her past four matchups. She also reached the finals of the 3-point contest during that stretch.
The Sparks struggle at defending players like Carleton. They are 10th in defending spot-ups and 14th in defending players off a screen. Carleton gets 45% of her scoring production from spot-ups or off a screen, per Props Madness.
🚀 Sparks vs. Fire same-game parlay
Given some unknown variables, this is the type of game where it's better to take some shots. That's what I'm doing by backing Carleton to score 15-plus points at a favorable price in the alternate market. I've also added Portland's moneyline to this parlay, as I could see a world where this leg gets some closing line value if any moves are made before tipoff.
💵 Sparks vs. Fire SGP picks
- Fire -1.5 (-102)
- Bridget Carleton 15-plus points (+118)
Best odds: +237 via FanDuel (0.1u -> 0.24u)
💵 My betting record for WNBA picks
All WNBA picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since May 9.
| Bet type | Record | Net profit | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 80-103-1 | +7.14 units ✅ | 5.6% ✅ |
| Player props | 29-19 | +8.75 units ✅ | 18.3% ✅ |
| Parlays | 5-40 | -2.18 units ❌ | -48.4% ❌ |
📊 Live Sparks vs. Fire odds
📺 How to watch Sparks vs. Fire
- Date: Sunday, Aug. 2
- Tipoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Moda Center (Portland, Ore.)
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
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