It is the final day of the regular season. The playoffs are set, the seeds have all been decided, and there is nothing to play for other than the love of the game and the fact that fans have paid for tickets. Lots of players will not play. But that doesn't mean these WNBA games are not worth betting on.
You just have to be a bit more mindful of the circumstances. We did our best to do just that while coming up with our best WNBA picks & predictions for Thursday, September 11th.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Thursday's Best WNBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky
As the No. 5 seed, the Liberty have a date with the Phoenix Mercury (No. 4 seed) in the first round. New York was 1-3 versus Phoenix this season, so the Liberty know they have a fight on their hands and will undoubtedly not want to risk an injury knocking out Breanna Stewart or Sabrina Ionescu.
Last season, Stewart played for about 16 minutes in the regular season finale; Ionescu played 22. Since both have dealt with injuries this season, it would not be shocking if neither played. As poorly as Chicago is playing, that may not matter.
I certainly wouldn't trust the Liberty to cover the spread (-12.5). There are too many variables that we just can't account for. However, with Stewart and Ionescu likely not playing much (if at all), don't count on the Liberty lighting up the scoreboard. Chicago will probably score somewhere in the 60s, like their last two games. Take the under.
Pick: Under 156.5 Points (-110)
Las Vegas Aces vs. Los Angeles Sparks
The Sparks were one of the worst teams in the league last season, missing the playoffs then as well, but still managed to beat Minnesota in their regular-season finale 68-51. Las Vegas sat people in the regular season finale last year, but still put up 98 points against a dismal Dallas Wings team.
Las Vegas is not the same team as last year. A'ja Wilson will probably not play, making it unlikely they score 90+ points like last year; 80, maybe. As for Los Angeles, their offense had dipped back down to averaging in the low 80s the last couple of weeks, which is probably what will happen on Thursday night.
Pick: Under 167.5 Points (-110)
Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx
At full strength, both teams are among the best defensive squads in the league. On the offensive end, Minnesota is one of the league's best - Golden State is not. Minnesota rested people last year and will undoubtedly do so again. The Lynx scored 51 points in the regular season finale last year.
It is probably best to keep expectations low. Golden State has never been an offensive threat and will be even less of one for this game. Preseason games are more competitive than this probably will be.
Pick: Under 153.5 Points (-108)
