WNBA Picks & Predictions: Thursday (8/6)
It is going to be an exciting night for WNBA fans with three great matchups on the schedule, starting with the Indiana Fever hosting the Las Vegas Aces, followed by the Los Angeles Sparks visiting the Minnesota Lynx, and concluding with the Toronto Tempo vs. Portland Fire.
As for what the WNBA Best Bets are for these games-keep reading for my picks.
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Thursday’s Best WNBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever
This should be fun to watch as we have two of the top three offenses in the league on the court tonight (Indiana-109.6 ppg over their last five; Las Vegas-98.6 ppg over their last five). Between the two teams, we'll see three of the top five scorers in the league in action: A'ja Wilson, 26.6 ppg (first); Kelsey Mitchell, 24 ppg (second); and Caitlin Clark (21.5 ppg).
Neither team has been stellar on the defensive end; Vegas has allowed 90+ ppg over the last five (sixth-best in the league), while Indiana has allowed 95+ ppg (No. 12). Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark are on the injury report for Indiana, but both are considered "probable."
While I'm a huge A'ja Wilson fan, Indiana has more players contributing at a solid rate at the moment. Vegas has been playing solid defense, but I don't think the Aces will be able to slow all of Indiana's weapons down enough. It will be a more competitive game than the other two, but one the Fever will win.
Pick: Fever Moneyline (+100)
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota is by far the better team of the two. Still, the Sparks have been solid on the offensive end, scoring 93.4 points per game over their last five. However, the Lynx have averaged 100.6. Going up against a defense as bad as LA's, it is not hard to see them doing so again. So, the question becomes whether Minnesota can cover a massive 15.5-point spread.
With how well things are clicking on the offensive end, it becomes a matter of how well they are playing on the other end.
Minnesota is a great team that is only going to get better as Napheesa Collier works her way back into shape. However, I'm not super confident in their defense right now. Yes, it has held teams to 88.6 ppg over the last five (fourth best). But the LA offense is good enough to at least match that number. The Sparks will lose, but don't count on them to lose by more than 15.5 points.
Pick: Sparks +15.5 (-110)
Toronto Tempo vs. Portland Pride
Portland has lost five in a row; Toronto has lost seven. So, someone's losing streak will have to come to an end tonight. But who's? Both teams have allowed opponents to score 100+ points a game over their last five. However, while Portland has averaged 94+ points, the Tempo have managed to score just 81.6 points.
If Marina Mabrey was healthy and active, I'd lean towards taking a chance on the Tempo Moneyline. But she is listed as questionable, and even if she does play, she will not be 100%. Without Mabrey at her best, don't count on Toronto beating or being competitive with anyone.
Pick: Fire -2.5 (-115)