Unrivaled is back after a small break following the 1-on-1 tournament finals and NBA All-Star weekend. In case you missed it, I accurately predicted Napheesa Collier to run away with it all for -115 odds. In what was an exciting first-ever 1-on-1 tournament, Unrivaled is back in action for another month!
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Tonight's matchups will feature Rose (3-4) vs. Vinyl (3-4) and Phantom (2-5) vs. Laces (4-3). As teams gear up for the playoffs, the Laces remain 3.5 games behind the Lunar Owls for first place. Given that four teams will advance to the playoffs, the Phantom remains one game behind the Vinyl for the No. 4 seed.
Before we dive into my top picks and best bets, here are today's DraftKings odds and schedule.
- Rose (-1.5) (-125 ML) vs Vinyl (+1.5) (-105 ML): O/U 142.5
- Phantom (-2.5) (-135 ML) vs Laces (+2.5) (+105 ML): O/U 137.5
Unrivaled Odds Are Current As of February 18 at 10 A.M. ET
If you're looking to bet on Unrivaled and women's basketball in general, welcome!
Bettors and fans, the Rose vs Vinyl matchup will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET. For the late-night matchup, the Phantom and Laces will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET.
To increase visibility, all games will air on TNT, Max, TSN+, and YouTube Live. Let's stay hot, given we cashed out big on the Unrivaled 1-on-1 tournament on Valentine's Day!
Let's take a look at my two best bets for the Tuesday, February 18 Unrivaled matchups.
Are you looking to bet on Unrivaled and basketball? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here.
Unrivaled Moneyline Bet #1: Rose vs Vinyl
- Vinyl ML (-105 DraftKings)
After a tough start, the Rose are coming off a two game win streak. First defeating the Mist 71-63, and Laces, 83-69. Given the Rose are led by the one and only Chelsea Gray (AKA Point Gawd), Gray is the Unrivaled assists leader with 44. However, there's been a change with injuries, and the Rose will be without Kahleah Copper tonight.
There's no doubt the Rose have a strong front court, led by Angel Reese and Azurà Stevens. There's reason why the Rose lead Unrivaled in offensive rebounds per game (9.8), and rank no. 2 in total rebounds per game (35.8). As we've seen over the last week, Stevens is an extremely underrated player who not only has a great length defensively, but moves like a guard.
Second offensively in the league (69.4 PPG), losing Copper will be monumental tonight. No. 10 in Unrivaled in points per game (16.6), we know Copper is crucial to the teams success. No. 5 in field goals made per game (6.86), there's no doubt she's a massive contributor on both ends of the court.
- Averaging nearly 23 percent of the teams total points, Copper has scored 10+ points in every game but one.
Vinyl Defeated Rose 79-73 In Week 1 Of Unrivaled
Their second matchup of the season, we saw the Vinyl defeat the Rose, 79-73 back on January 17. It was Vinyl's Rhyne Howard who exploded for 33 points, and Dearica Hamby with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
While this was both team's first game of the season, it's hard to take it at face value. However, that was a game where Arike Ogunbowale was limited to 10 points on 0-4 three-point shooting. After the 1-on-1 tournament, we saw Arike light up Skylar Diggins-Smith and Satou Sabally to reach the semi-finals. One of the best iso-guards in the league, she gets another matchup with Rose tonight.
Although it was a close first matchup, it was personal fouls and turnovers that determined Rose's fate. And in that first meeting, Copper went off for 24 points. Now shortened to a five player rotation, it will be difficult for Gray, Angel Reese, Brittney Sykes, Stevens, and Lexie Hull to replace that. I will say, it's possible.
Can Vinyl Break A Four-Game Losing Skid?
After starting out with a 2-0 record, Vinyl haven't played well, and have dropped four straight. -105 moneyline underdogs, it's been Hamby that's led the Vinyl with 21 points per game. One of the best two-way players, there's no doubt the Vinyl have the talent on the both sides of the ball.
Overall, the Vinyl struggle to put up points, ranking dead last with 343. Ranking last in total rebounds, the Vinyl hold a -3.33 points margin. Now compare that to the rose -2.29. It's not that far off.
- With Copper out, the Vinyl get a Rose team, who ranks no. 4 in field goal percentage (44.6 %).
Coming off a brutal 85-68 defeat vs the Lunar Owls, the Vinyl have a -41 point differential over the last four games. With such a talented roster, this team is capable of putting up a ton of offense. Scoring 84 points vs the Phantom on January 20, there's too much talent to keep this losing streak alive.
Final Unrivaled Best Bet Pick and Prediction Today: Vinyl ML (-105 DraftKings)
Overall, we've seen the Vinyl get the best of Rose in their one lone matchup. With 10 days rest as a unit, Vinyl has been limited to 67.8 points per game over the four game losing streak. With that, the Rose are averaging 70.25 points over the same span. Now, take away Copper, who's ability to score and get down hill is unmatched.
- Give me Vinyl money line. It's time for them to break the skid and for Arike Ogunbowale to expand on her 1v1 success. For nearly plus money, it's one of my best bets for today.
Unrivaled Moneyline Bet #2: Phantom vs Laces
- Phantom ML (-135 DraftKings)
My second best bet and pick for today, I placed one unit on Phantom to win the moneyline outright vs the Laces.
My favorites to win it all at the start of the season, there's no doubt the Laces are dealing with severe injuries. So much, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton has joined Nalyssa Smith and Natisha Hiedeman as the third player to sign a relief contract. Set to make her debut tonight, Laney-Hamilton will join a seriously depleted Laces team.
I rarely make bets off of injuries, but this is a given. With that said, how are the Phantom only -135 moneyline favorites? While Marina Mabrey remains out for the Phantom, Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, and Alyssa Thomas are unable to suit up for the Laces. In addition, Jackie Young and Kayla McBride are questionable.
Can The Laces Overcome Injuries?
There's no doubt the Phantom have had their ups and downs this season. Although Mabrey has yet to play a minute this season, the Phantom are a better team with Sabrina Ionescu on the floor. And with that, Satou Sabally has become the team's leading scorer and rebounder.
Coming off a 94-76 loss against the Lunar Owls, Napheesa Collier and company truly exposed the Phantom's weaknesses on the defensive end. However, we saw Brittney Griner, Ionescu, and Sabally combine for 53 total points.
I firmly believe the Phantom's -11.14 point differential isn't accurate due to injuries and Ionescu's absence for several games. Yes I know the Laces last obliterated the Phantom 85-48 in week one. While Thomas, Hayes, and Martin were all active, we can't forget McBrides 28 point performance.
- Shooting just 18-55 from the field against the Laces, Ionescu led the way with 18 points.
As expected, the Laces have dropped two straight games vs the Rose and Lunar Owls. And if we remember, their last game was cancelled. If Kayla McBride laces up tonight, that may change the landscape, given she's the Laces leading scorer, rebounder, and three-point shooter.
Without Hayes, Thomas, and Martin, the Laces lose over 50 percent of their offense. Without Thomas, the Laces lose their entire engine on both sides of the ball. Without Hayes, they will be without a huge scoring option.
No. 5 in scoring, Tiffany Hayes is scoring 18.5 points per game. It will truly be difficult to replace a player that has the ability to score anywhere on the court, and can attack, as well as draw fouls down hill.
Phantom Will Need To Utilize Grittney Griner and Sabrina Ionescu
Averaging 71 points per game over the last two games, the Laces are struggling to put points on the board. With that, I do believe the relief signing of Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is brilliant. One of the best two-way players in the league, she will fit perfect on this roster. With that, this will be Laney-Hamilton's first 3v3 game this year professionally. With that, it will take time to develop chemistry.
If the Phantom want to win this, they will need to capitalize off a injuries and a shorter rotation. The key will be to get Ionescu involved, who's 1-8 from downtown over the last two games.
- With that, the difference maker here will be Brittney Griner.
Scoring a season low seven points vs the Laces in week one, Griner has been utilized quite well as the season's progressed. Averaging 16.29 points per game, Griner is scoring an average of 17.83 points since the Phantom's last matchup with the Laces.
- In fact, Griner has 43 points scored in the last two games. With that, Griner will need to capitalize off the size advantage over Stefanie Dolson.
Final Unrivaled Best Bet Pick and Prediction Today: Phantom ML (-135 DraftKings)
With Jackie Young listed as questionable, I am leery with the knee injury that's bothered her since the second half of the last WNBA season. With such a short rotation, the Laces will have their work cut out for them today.
- With that, I'm taking Phantom moneyline today. This is one of my best bets and picks for Tuesday, February 18.
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