Stephen Nover's WNBA Game of the Year
(WNBA) Dream (ATL) vs. Sparks (LA),
Point Spread: -3.50 | -105.00 Dream (ATL) (Away)
Result: Win
The Dream are much improved since the Olympic break thanks to getting Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada healthy again. Atlanta is 3-4 following the month-long break. However, those four losses have all come in a row and they've been against stronger competition than Los Angeles.

The Dream lost those four games by an average of five points to the Mercury, red-hot Fever, Storm and Aces. Now Atlanta drops all the way down in class facing Los Angeles, which has the worst record in the WNBA at 7-24.

Atlanta is in must-win mode playing the worst team in the league and being one game out of the final playoff spot with nine games left.

A big key for the Dream is getting veteran Tina Charles back. She missed Atlanta's last game because of personal reasons, but is expected to play here. Charles is averaging 18.5 points and 12.8 rebounds since the Olympic break. She's the No. 2 scorer in WNBA history. Her presence is huge.

Atlanta has covered 10 of its 15 road games. The Sparks are 5-9-1 ATS at home.

The Dream are a top-five defensive team. The Sparks are giving up an average of 92.8 points in their last seven games discounting a 69-61 loss to Connecticut.

Unlike the Dream, the Sparks aren't healthy. They are without their star rookie center Cameron Brink, which has negatively impacted their defense in a big way. The Sparks also have been missing several role players, including Lexie Brown.

The Sparks surprisingly are in a letdown spot. They are coming off their most shocking win of the season. The Sparks upset the Liberty as a 12 1/2-point home 'dog this past Wednesday.

So everything lines up for an Atlanta victory and cover.