It is not often that we'll see two or three days during the season without at least one game scheduled. But off-days will not be an issue for the next week, giving us seven straight days to examine and enjoy the 'Best WNBA Bets.' For Thursday, the schedule includes a pair of games for your betting pleasure: New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics and Golden State Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury.
The following are our Best Bets for tonight's games.
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Thursday's Best WNBA Picks & Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Liberty (-13) vs. Washington Mystics (+590) | O/U 162.5 (-112/-108)
I am not a big fan of laying double-digit points, but that is the best option for this game. New York just beat Washington by 22 points last Friday in D.C. But 12.5 points? Double digits? Well, New York does have the No. 1 offense and defense in the league. They play great no matter where they are, so back them to intake care of business in the nation's capital.
Washington has some solid young talent, but the Mystics need a few things to go their way to have a chance to win. In their three wins, they had a better shooting percentage and were competitive from the three-point line. In most of their losses, the other team either shot significantly better from the floor and/or destroyed Washington's perimeter defense.
Much like the previous matchup, the Liberty will dominate from three-point range and control this game.
Pick: Liberty -13 (-110)
Jonquel Jones has hit 2+ three-pointers in four of the six games she has played in. In the previous game vs. Washington, she went 1-for-6, an effort she followed up with a 3-for-4 night in New York's next game, which happened to be at home. The Mystics’ defense ranks second in the league in defending the perimeter (27.8%). New York hit 26.3% in the previous game but attempted 38 shots.
Jones will make at least two of hers this time.
Pick: Jonquel Jones Over 1.5 Made Threes (+110)
Golden State Valkyries (+210) vs. Phoenix Mercury (-6) | O/U 156.5 (-114/-106)
Phoenix is 5-3 on the season and 4-1 at home, mostly because they are playing solid defense (76.9 ppg allowed, third best). Yes, they have lost two of their last three, but both losses were to a very good Minnesota team. Golden State is struggling to score points and has yet to establish a clear offensive identity.
Their offensive struggles will likely continue against a solid Mercury defense. On the defensive end, it helps that Kahleah Copper is still out, as is Alyssa Thomas. However, Satou Sabally can and probably will carry the Mercury to a win. But four of their wins were by six points or less, meaning that had just a couple of possessions gone the opposition's way, the outcome could have been different.
That’s enough of a reason for me to pass on taking Phoenix and laying the points. But expectations are low for both offenses in this game. Golden State is averaging 74 ppg and Phoenix 77.9. Against a solid Mercury defense, Golden State may not crack 65 points.
Pick: Under 156.5 Total Points (-106)
She is averaging 12 points per game this season and has scored 11, 10, and 13 points in her last three games, all against solid defenses (vs. Minnesota and twice vs. New York). While the Phoenix defense is good, it is not as good as the Lynx or Liberty. As well as she played against those two units, she can certainly get one more basket against the Phoenix D to go over her total.
Pick: Kayla Thornton Over 11.5 Points (-104)
