The WNBA regular season continues Tuesday night, as six teams are in action. We’re going to focus on the pair of 10:00 p.m. ET games, as the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury meet at Mortgage Matchup Center in the Valley of the Sun, while the New York Liberty pay their first visit to the Portland Fire. Let’s build our bankroll with our WNBA best bets and predictions for Tuesday, May 12th.
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Tuesday’s Best WNBA Picks & Predictions
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(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Minnesota Lynx (+164) at Phoenix Mercury (-198) | O/U 168.5 (-105/-115)
The Lynx (0-1) and Mercury (1-1) meet at Mortgage Matchup Center in the first of the 10:00 p.m. ET tip-offs in the WNBA.
These teams met in the postseason last September, with the Mercury pushing past the Lynx in four games, winning and covering each of the final four matchups. The Over cashed in each of the final three meetings, too.
Minnesota opened its season with a disappointing 91-90 loss at home against Angel Reese and the new-look Atlanta Dream, blowing a 19-point lead in the process. The Lynx were still impressive at times, hitting 50% (35-of-70) from the field, but Minnesota was also a dismal 68% (15-of-22) from the free-throw line, which ultimately led to its demise. Minnesota was also without superstar Napheesa Collier (ankle), as she continues to recover from surgery on both ankles during the offseason. She is expected to be sidelined until at least June, so look for it to be a rather slow go for the Lynx in the first month or two. Minnesota was badly outrebounded at a 46-to-25 margin, thanks in large part to the presence of Reese. Minnesota was plus-6 on turnovers, and it was even with points in the paint, so there is hope.
Phoenix also built a gigantic lead in its opener last Saturday, and it won 99-66 on the road against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, as the Merc shot 49% (38-of-77) from the field, and a blistering 46% (11-of-24) from behind the arc. The Mercury were plus-2 in rebounding, too, while posting six more steals and a plus-9 turnover margin. And, even more hard to believe, Phoenix had 46 points in the paint against a team with A’ja Wilson. Of course, the next night, Phoenix was dusted 95-79 at Golden State as a 2.5-point underdog while the Over (159.5) cashed, so the jury is still out. Will we get the team which routed the champs? Or, the team which fell to the second-year Valkyries?
As home, we’ll back the Mercury over the Phee-less Lynx, and let’s go high on the total based on the first games this season, as well as the playoff totals last season.
Picks: Mercury -4.5 (-108) & Over 168.5 (-105)
New York Liberty (-950) at Portland Fire (+625) | O/U 174.5 (-105/-115)
The Liberty (2-0) have fired out of the box, and they’ll look to stay red-hot against the expansion Fire (0-1) at Moda Center at 10:00 p.m. ET.
New York belted Connecticut 106-75 in the opener as 19.5-point favorites, while edging Washington on the road by a 98-93 count in overtime as 5.5-point favorites. The Over has easily cashed in both games for the Lib so far. What’s crazy about New York’s hot start is that they’re doing it without Sabrina Ionescu (foot), who is recovering from a left foot issue, as well as Satou Sabally (illness), sidelined by a cyst. Leonie Fiebich is away from the team due to European commitments, too.
The Fire will be without Karlie Samuelson (foot), while Sug Sutton (knee) is questionable with a right knee injury. New York can withstand losses due to the likes of Breanna Stewart and tremendous depth, while Portland cannot have any options sidelined. That’s the difference.
Marine Johannes was on fire last time out for New York, hitting six triples, exploding for 25 points, while B-Stew had 23 points. Jonquel Jones struggled with her shot, but they still excelled, while she flirted with a double-double. Pauline Astier has filled the boots of Ionescu and/or Fiebich, going for 18 points, seven assists, and two steals across 35 minutes against the Mystics.
We’ll back the Liberty laying the big points on the road, while going Over on the total. It’s just one game, but Portland hemorrhaged points defensively against the visiting Chicago Sky in the opener, falling 98-83 as 4.5-point underdogs. The Liberty should be able to hit double digits here.
Picks: Liberty -12.5 (-115) & Over 174.5 (-105)
