With about a month of play left before we reach the playoffs, now is the best time. The WNBA is heating up with teams getting healthy and starting to jockey for standings. I'll be coming at you once a week with the best bets on the Saturday WNBA slate. Be sure to check out my other articles covering first basket bets and player props as well to help you print some money this season.
We've gone a clean 6-0 in the last two weeks, so why not stay hot? Here are my best bets for the Saturday, August 29th slate.
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Saturday’s Best Bets and Predictions
Last Time: 3-0 | Season: 22-15
Chicago Sky vs. New York Liberty
The New York Liberty host the Chicago Sky to open up the slate today as the Liberty try to elevate from the bottom of the playoff standings. It's been an interesting season for the Liberty with a 13-26 ATS record after dealing with injuries all year. Now Satou Sabally is out, but otherwise New York is running on all cylinders.
Meanwhile, Chicago is out of the playoffs and dealing with injuries, but they've still been battling. In each team's last five games, they actually rank neck-and-neck in net rating, both going 3-2 over the time frame. But New York takes a step up at home, and I think that's going to be one of the biggest X-factors for them. Their defense ranks fourth this year at the Barclays Center, while Chicago's offense drops to 13th overall with just a 5-14 record. I'm not one to usually play the narrative card, but the pressure is on in New York for the former champs to start showing they can make a repeat, and this is a perfect opportunity to make a statement.
Bet: New York Liberty -8.5 (-115 DraftKings)
Toronto Tempo vs. Phoenix Mercury
The other game on the slate is hard to exactly say gets the juices flowing, but it's still hoops. The Toronto Tempo travel to Phoenix to take on the Mercury, also with an 8.5-point spread. Toronto has been absolutely decimated by injuries, with their entire starting five out tonight. Over their last 10 games, the Tempo are 1-9 with by far the worst defensive rating. The difference between them and Phoenix, which is second worst is the same as Phoenix and the fourth ranked Minnesota Lynx. The Tempo are like a turnstile right now.
So while it's interesting to see this Mercury team as such a big favorite, I don't think it's big enough. It originally opened at nearly 10 points, and I think that's a more accurate spread. Phoenix, of course, is dealing with injuries of its own, but Kahleah Copper is probable, so assuming that is the case, that makes me feel much more comfortable backing the second-straight home favorite.
Bet: Phoenix Mercury -8.5 (-110 Caesars)
