WNBA Best Bets (Aug. 2): Lynx vs. Fever, Wings vs. Sun Odds & Predictions

With the WNBA trade deadline approaching, we have one eye on our tracker and the other on four games taking place on the Sunday card.

It begins with MVP-candidate Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever visiting the Minnesota Lynx in a matchup some believe could be a WNBA Finals showdown. The Fever continue their ascension in the standings with a five-game win streak accompanying them to the Twin Cities, where the awaiting first-place Lynx own a nine-game streak. The game tips at 1 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

(Photo by Tom OConnor/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Sparks, who traded Kelsey Plum in the middle of the night, head to the Pacific Northwest to face the struggling Portland Fire, who have lost four in a row. The Sparks aren't doing much better, as they show up to Portland toting a six-game skid. The game tips at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

The Houston-bound Connecticut Sun will visit the state the franchise will permanently reside starting next season, as they visit an angry Dallas Wings squad that will be out to end a two-game skid. The game tips at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The nightcap finds the upgraded Toronto Tempo, with newly acquired Aneesah Morrow, visiting San Francisco to face the third-place Golden State Valkyries, who have lost two in a row and can leapfrog the idle Las Vegas Aces with a win tonight. The game tips at 8:30 p.m. ET on will be broadcast on League Pass.

WNBA Best Bets For Aug. 2

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WNBA Betting Odds For Aug. 2 via FanDuel.

Indiana Fever at Minnesota Lynx

• Spread: Indiana +5.5 (-112) | Minnesota -5.5 (-108)
• Moneyline: Indiana (-164) | Minnesota (-205)
• Total: O/U 191.5 (-114/-106)

Can anyone stop Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell right now? Even the mighty Lynx could struggle to slow this dynamic duo that has averaged a combined 57.4 points over the last five games. And while Mitchell's consistency has been in place all season — she's scored in double figures every game this season — it's Clark's recent surge that has her in the MVP conversation and has boosted the Fever.

Meanwhile, the Lynx have turned it up a notch, especially since the return of Napheesa Collier one game before the All-Star break. During their nine-game win streak, the Lynx have outscored teams by an average final of 96.9 to 87.6. The recent offensive surge is an increase of more than six points, as the Lynx were averaging 90.2 points through their first 21 games. That will be needed against the league's No. 1 scoring offense.

My Best Bet Prediction: Indiana +5.5 (-112)

• With as much respect as I have for the Lynx, I don't like what I've seen from their defense. While they've increased their offensive productivity, they've also gone from allowing 80.8 points to 87.6 per game. And the last thing you want is to get into an offensive slugfest with the Fever. Even if Minnesota wins this one, it'll be an epic showdown that'll keep Clark and company inside the number.

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Los Angeles Sparks at Portland Fire

• Spread: Los Angeles +1.5 (-114) | Portland -1.5 (-106)
• Moneyline: Los Angeles (-105) | Portland (-115)
• Total: O/U 185.5 (-114/-106)

No Plum? No problem. Well, not against the expansion Fire. Despite the face of the franchise Kelsey Plum being traded away, the Sparks still rank seventh in the league with 89.0 points per game, and they're still loaded with veteran talent. Does that equate to a playoff berth? Eh. But this is still a team with three other players who are averaging double digits and will have their way with the third-worst scoring defense.

The Fire are allowing 91.6 ppg, one of four teams in the W to allow 90 or more points at this point. Portland doesn't stand a chance down the stretch without Sarah Ashlee Barker, who was lost for the season to a torn ACL. The Fire were allowing 89.8 points through their first 25 games, but during this four-game skid have been torched for 103.0 ppg.

My Best Bet Prediction: Los Angeles +1.5 (-114)

• The only reason the Fire are a favorite in this game is that Plum was traded in the same fashion the old Cleveland Browns left town for Baltimore back in the day — in the middle of the night. But the Sparks have been playing without Plum for more than a month. And now that everyone else knows they're safe, it's a mad dash to a playoff berth, if they can get there.

Connecticut Sun at Dallas Wings

• Spread: Connecticut +10.5 (-106) | Dallas -11.5 (-114)
• Moneyline: Connecticut (+370) | Dallas (-520)
• Total: O/U 173.5 (-110/-110)

The Wings can leapfrog the Atlanta Dream with a win today, as they're one-half game back in sixth place, and a full game behind the fourth-place Fever. A Wings win coupled with a Fever loss would really muddy up the middle of the playoff pack. Despite a two-game skid, the Wings have won seven of 10 since July 2, and are scoring 91.2 ppg, during the stretch.

The hapless Sun seem to have strayed from what was a brief surge to get out of the cellar, as they've lost four in a row both SU and ATS — and all on the road. This will be their third straight road game out of the break, spanning six days, after stops in D.C. and Chicago. During the four-game skid, they've been outscored by an average margin of 14.5 ppg.

My Best Bet Prediction: Dallas -10.5 (-114)

• The Wings have won three of the last four meetings, including the first clash of the season, an 86-83 win in Connecticut on July 2. That game also followed a two-game skid, but the losses were in Las Vegas and at home to the Lynx. It was also the start of a four-game road trip. Having covered two in a row in Dallas, the Wings will make it three straight home covers with today's blowout win.

Toronto Tempo at Golden State Valkyries

• Spread: Toronto +13.5 (-114) | Golden State -13.5 (-106)
• Moneyline: Toronto (+540) | Golden State (-850)
• Total: O/U 164.5 (-108/-104)

Is today the day Aneesah Morrow proves how valuable she truly is when she makes her Toronto debut? Absolutely, as the Valkyries are one of three opponents she's averaging double-digit scoring against during her two-year career. Amazingly, her road scoring average is slightly higher than what she did in Connecticut, and now has a chance to play a bigger role under coach Sandy Brondello.

Golden State has played just once since games resumed after the All-Star break, a 91-89 loss in Phoenix. Just before the break, the Valkyries dropped a 90-82 decision to the Washington Mystics. The alarming thing about the Valkyries is they were allowing 75.8 points before the two losses, but have allowed 90.5 in their most recent games.

My Best Bet Prediction: Toronto +13.5 (-114)

• Golden State has failed to cover two in a row at home and three straight overall. And since Toronto already owns a win and cover against the Valkyries just last month, with an 83-75 victory, the confidence should be in place with Morrow now in the lineup. The Tempo may not snap their five-game slide, but they'll keep this close long enough to get the cover.

W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Senior Staff Analyst at Ballislife Bets. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez