WNBA Picks & Predictions: Saturday (5/30)
We have settled into the WNBA season, where teams are showing their identity as the storylines shape and the excitement plays out. There are three games on this slate with a lot to consider. The Tempo are off to a decent start in their expansion era as they host the Storm, the Connecticut Sun are trying to figure out their season after a 1-8 start and the Fire, despite a winning record, sit as double-digit underdogs against the Indiana Fever. We are back to even after a winning day last week, and I plan on continuing that trend today. I'll be here once a week to provide the best WNBA picks for the Saturday slate. Let's get to it.
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Saturday’s Best WNBA Picks & Predictions
Last Time: 2-1 | Season: 3-3
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Connecticut Sun
Los Angeles travels across the country to take on the Connecticut Sun, where they sit around 5-point favorites with a total just shy of 170 points. This is the fourth straight road game for L.A., who have won the previous three after starting the season 1-3. The Sun, meanwhile, returned home after going 1-4 on their road trip, but at least they got their first win.
Obviously, the elephant in the room is Kelsey Plum. After suffering a sprained ankle, she missed Friday's win over Washington, and now the Sparks are playing in consecutive games without their leading scorer, as the veteran guard has averaged 27 points per game this season.
Against the Mystics, Erica Wheeler and Nneka Ogwumike stepped up, providing a combined 41 points, but their second-ranked team offense is going to take a hit.
But the question remains, how much will that even matter? The Sun have really struggled this year with the league's worst offense and third-worst defense. They've been hit with the injury bug, and while Aaliyah Edwards will still be out, it does appear that Brittney Griner is cleared to play. She will be a boost to the defense.
It does feel a little scary to go against an amazing offense versus a terrible defense, with L.A. going 6-1 to the over this year. But the Sparks’ offense will take a hit, while the Sun’s defense should at least get a slight boost, leading me to take the under.
Pick: Under 169.5 Points (-112 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Indiana Fever vs. Portland Fire
We close tonight with Indiana heading West to take on the Portland Fire. This is the second matchup between the two squads this season as Indiana handled business by 17 points back at home, without Caitlin Clark. For tonight, it may be the same deal as Clark remains questionable with a back injury.
Portland has found some wins of late, going 3-1 in their last four games, with road wins against the Tempo and Liberty and a win over the Sun. They have three players scoring in double digits, but their underlying metrics leave more to be desired.
The Sun ranks in the bottom half of the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency and is last in rebounding. They will have to keep up with the Fever's breakneck pace, which they clearly struggled with last time out.
The Fire rank sixth in percentage of points coming from beyond the arc, but this Fever team allows the fewest three-pointers per game in the entire WNBA. The Fire turns the ball over at the third-highest clip, and Indiana can capitalize on that with its transition offense.
This line is baked in that Clark will play, and I assume she does. Obviously, monitor injury news, but this could be another drubbing, so don't be afraid to bet some alts.
Pick: Fever -10.5 (-108 at DraftKings Sportsbook)