
Gear up bettors. There are FIVE WNBA games to bet on tonight! It's Friday, meaning the WNBA is back on the Ion Network!
(Photo by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)
Aforementioned in my player prop article, the Connecticut Sun (0-5, 0-2 away) are searching for their first victory of the season against the Indiana Fever (2-3, 1-2 home). Without Caitlin Clark, the Fever were bamboozled by the Washington Mystics on Wednesday, 83-77. Having lost two straight against the Liberty and Washington, can Indiana bounce back? Under new head coach Rachid Meziane, the Sun lost their starting five in the offseason. Holding a worst -16.4 point differential in the WNBA, Connecticut is 12.5 point spread underdogs on the road.
The New York Liberty (5-0 2-0 away) will face the Washington Mystics (3-3, 2-0 home) on the road in a back-to-back matchup in D.C. Joining the Minnesota Lynx as the only two undefeated teams in the WNBA, New York is 7.5 point spread favorites on the road. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the season, the Mystics have held their own! Coming off a gutsy victory against the Indiana Fever, they've kept games relatively close, especially against the Las Vegas Aces. Led by rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron—keep an eye out for Washington.
For the late-night showdown, the Phoenix Mercury (4-1, 4-o) will host the Minnesota Lynx (5-0, 2-0 away) in the Valley. The Mercury have been one of the more surprising teams this year as well. Undefeated at home, the newest acquisitions of Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally—along with the rookies, have kept Phoenix in contention. Without Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack, they will face a Lynx team—where star Napheesa Collier is questionable to lace up. Fresh off a two-game win streak, the Mercury are 3.5 point underdogs at home.
On the west coast, the Las Vegas Aces (2-2, 1-0 home) will host the Los Angeles Sparks (2-4, 1-1) at home. Set to make her return to Vegas, Kelsey Plum was acquired by the Sparks in the offseason. With several players listed on the injury report, the Sparks have dropped four of their last five games. Large 10.5 point spread favorites on the road, the Aces are fresh off a 102-82 defeat against the Seattle Storm.
Last, the Atlanta Dream (4-2, 2-1 away) will face off against the Seattle Storm (3-2, 2-0 home) on the road. Two top teams in the league, both have crucial players listed on the injury report. -4.5 point spread favorites at home, the Storm have won three of their last four after a disastrous season opener against the Mercury. Although without Brittney Griner, the Dream are riding a three game win streak.
In this article, I will focus on spread and totals bets, considering all matchups. If you missed by last article, the Sun and Fever, along with Liberty and Mystics matchup will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The remaining three matchups will begin at 10 p.m. ET.
Get your popcorn out, because there's bound to be a ton of betting action on the WNBA tonight!
Here are my three best spread, totals bets—along with my picks and predictions for the Friday, May 30 WNBA matchups.
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My first best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on the Washington Mystics to cover the +8 underdog spread against the New York Liberty.
This is not a drill folks, the Mystics have been quite competitive this season. Led by veteran guard Brittney Sykes, rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron practically looks like ten year vets out there. 3-3 on the season, Washington is undefeated at home, 2-0.
The Mystics shocked the WNBA world with a 94-90 season opener victory over the Atlanta Dream. Boasting a sixth best +0.7 point differential, Washington is fresh off a 83-77 victory over the Indiana Fever. Of course Indiana is without it's biggest star, Caitlin Clark—the fever have a deep, talented roster.
Not to mention, the Mystics were defeated by the Aces and Mercury, keeping both games within six points or less. A few of those games, we've seen comebacks as well!
Although the season has just begun, the Mystics rank No. 4 in defensive rating. Under new head coach Sydney Johnson, the Mystics allow the fifth least points in the WNBA with 78.5, and remain an elite perimeter defending team. In fact, they allow the lowest 3-point (26.3 %) and field goal percentage (37.3 %) in the league.
One of the strongest teams on the boards, the Mystics now have Aaliyah Edwards and Shakira Austin back from injury. Combine that with rookie Kiki Iriafen, who's averaging 22.3 points and 11.5 rebounds over the last four games. They drafted both Irifaen and Citron for their two-way capabilities—which has worked out. Considered one of the Mystics most consistent scorer, Citron is averaging 15 points, on a 50/40/90 season. The term rookie doesn't even fit the case of Iriafen and Citron right now.
Tonight, they get their biggest test of the year—the reigning champion New York Liberty. Fortunately for Washington, New York is coming off a back-to-back. After defeating the Golden State Valkyries 95-67 on Tuesday, the Liberty faced them again last night, capturing a 82-77 victory. This will be New York's third game in four days.
That's not to say the Liberty can't come out firing. They are easily the favorites to win the WNBA Championship, with much versatility, length, and depth. Led by Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones—guard Natasha Cloud was the perfect offseason acquisition. Some would argue Sandy Brondello's bench is more efficient than some starting lineups in the WNBA. Ranking top tier in offensive and defensive rating, New York owns a league best +14.7 point differential.
It's unclear if Jonquel Jones will sit out for the second consecutive night with a hamstring injury. In addition, Nyara Sabally has only laced up for two games this season due to a right knee injury. Without Jones, Washington would have a greater case of covering the +8 point spread.
While there are few holes on this Liberty team, they weren't able to cover a massive 14.5 point spread last night against Golden State. 3-2 ATS on the year, the additionally couldn't cover a -4.0 spread against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
If Jones can't suit up, the Mystics have an strong frontcourt. Not to mention, Brittney Sykes is playing some of the best basketball of her career alongside Sonia Citron.
I also like the UNDER total points, given the Mystics rank.No. 10 in offensive rating. With that, the Mystics put up the fourth least points in the WNBA with 79.2 PPG. With Austin and Edwards back in the lineup, that may soon change. Although the Mystics are an elite team beyond the arc (38 %), they take the fewest 3-pointers in the league with 18. They now face a Liberty team who takes over 30 deep shots per game.
With injuries on the line, I'm taking weaker Mystics offensive team against an elite Liberty defense. In fact, the Liberty rank No. 2 in defensive rating, and hold opponents to 76.8 points per game. Not to mention, opponents are shooting just 38 percent from the field against New York. Given Sabrina Ionescu has worked on her defense in the off-season, four of the five Liberty starter's are notorious two-way players.
The Mystics have hit the under for four games straight, and are averaging just 72.6 points over the last four games. Although the Liberty have nearly eclipsed 100 points in five of the last six games, Washington's defense has been stealth like.
Although New York got the victory last night, they shot poorly in front of their home court. Shooting 38 percent from the field, and 36 percent from deep, they are coming off a back-to-back on the road.
3. Atlanta Dream +5 (-114 FanDuel)
My second best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on the Atlanta Dream to cover the +5 point underdog spread against the Seattle Storm on the road.
One of my dark horse teams to make a run, the Dream haven't disappointed this season. Under new head coach Karl Smesko, this is an extremely talented Dream team. As if adding Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones in the offseason wasn't enough, Allisha Gray has taken her game to new heights. The Dream's leading scorer, Gray is averaging career-high's in points (20.3), rebounds (5.3), and assists (5.0). Not to mention, she's shooting 42.6 percent from beyond the arc, and nearly 49 percent from the field.
Under new head coach Karl Smesko—he's emphasized 3-point shooting in training camp, and the Dream have done just that. Third in the WNBA in 3-point attempts (30.7), this is a Dream team that averages 10 trey balls per game! Also, they lead the league in rebounds per game.
Drafting Te-Hina Paopao was a brilliant move, along with the offseason addition of Shatori Walker-Kimbrough. With four heavy hitters averaging points in double figures, we've seen Smesko interchange the starting lineup. That includes swapping in Nia Coffey and Maya Caldwell.
Overall, the Dream are a sneaky talented team, who rank No.3 in offensive rating (105), and No.8 in defensive rating. With that said, it's going to take time to adjust to new players in a new system. However, the defense could improve. Over their three game win streak, Atlanta has held the Sparks, Sun, and Wings to 82 points and under.
Over than span, they are limiting opponents to 70.1 points per game.
While I have Seattle in my top five this season, it's difficult to gauge where this team is at. After a tough 81-59 season opener blowout loss against the Mercury, they bounced back to win three straight. With arguably the strongest frontcourt in the WNBA, they dropped their last matchup to the Lynx, 82-77.
Although the Storm rank middle of the road defensively, they are No. 9 in offensive rating. With several moving pieces added this offseason, now the Storm are in danger of missing Alysha Clarke tonight . This is a team that also sits dead last in pace.
It's a home matchup for Seattle, which is much to their advantage. With victories over the Aces and Mercury—they've proven they can defeat top teams. Although the Dream have had an easier schedule, their 91-90 victory over Caitlin Clark and the Fever spoke volumes.
If Brittney Griner is good to lace up tonight, the Dream can deploy a double big lineup that would matchup perfect with the Storm (Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike). It's all about the second chance opportunitites!
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