WNBA Picks & Predictions: Thursday (9/17)
After a break for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, the WNBA regular season resumes tonight with a busy five-game slate. Teams should be unusually healthy for this time of year thanks to the break, which should make picking the best WNBA bets just a little more interesting. The following are my top three WNBA picks for tonight.
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Thursday’s Best WNBA Picks & Predictions
Connecticut Sun vs. Atlanta Dream
Connecticut has been absolutely dreadful this season on both ends of the court, but especially on offense. For the season, they have averaged just 79 points per game. That number slightly dips to 78.2 points per game on the road.
In their first two games against the Dream, they scored 75 and 69 points. Now, in those two games, their combined score was 166 and 173. Because of the lengthy break, both teams are likely to have some rust to shake off, which should slow both offenses down a touch. That will be enough to keep the final score under 168.5 points.
Pick: Under 168.5 Points (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky
I’m not sure why the spread for this game is so small. Washington is playoff-bound; Chicago was never really in contention for a playoff spot.
Neither team is great on offense, but the Mystics have one of the league’s best defenses. Washington averaged 86.7 points per game in August, while the Sky averaged 84.2.
Washington has a lot more to play for. They are tied with two other teams at the bottom of the playoff bracket with a 24-16 record. They could still be seeded as high as six (or better if the Fever or Dream struggle down the stretch).
I don't have high expectations for either offense in this game, but Washington's defense should be good enough to help them secure a much-needed win against a lackluster Chicago team.
Pick: Mystics -1.5 (-108 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Dallas Wings
Dallas had one of the league’s best defenses in August, allowing 84 points per game. They weren't too explosive on the offensive end, averaging 88 points per game. But the Sparks have struggled defensively, are one of the league’s worst rebounding teams and are mediocre on the offensive end on their best days (87.3 points per game).
Coming off a break like the league just had, I'd expect it to take some time for offenses to get back in sync. While teams need to be in sync on the defensive end as well, individual effort can make up for that in the short term.
Neither team will blow the other out; both will need to score in the high 80s to low 90s to go over this total. But with L.A. not generating second-chance points, the under is the best bet.
Pick: Under 177.5 Points (-110 at FanDuel Sportsbook)