GIQ WNBA Preview — Los Angeles Sparks at New York Liberty

Los Angeles and New York are in next-to-last place in their conferences, even though the Sparks and Liberty were conference finalists last season. (Going further back, they met in the 2002 finals.)

The Sparks, 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS on the road, are figuring things have to improve with the return of league MVP Candace Parker. For what it’s worth, 89 points in a home loss to Phoenix was their biggest score of the season — Parker had 6 — while other trending features might be thought moot.

In three most recent home games, the Liberty averaged 79 points, with wins by 16 and 15. The Liberty win when they shoot treys — in two wins at home and one on the road, New York hit 45.2 percent outside the line. The good news is that Los Angeles doesn’t strongly defend the three while away — their last four road opponents shot 30-for-64 from deep.