WNBA Best Bets (July 31): Mystics vs. Wings, Caitlin Clark & Fever at Fire Odds & Predictions

It's a Friday night WNBA doubleheader on ION, with two early games being broadcast regionally, and the nightcap being shown nationwide. The game of the night takes place in the nation's capital, where the Washington Mystics will host the Dallas Wings, featuring a pair of young teams that could be in the trade game the next few days, looking to further enhance their playoff rosters. The game tips at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.

Also at 7:30 p.m., the abysmal Seattle Storm visit the Atlanta Dream, who have seemingly turned things around and appear ready to make a run at a top-four finish in the standings with homecourt advantage in sight for the opening round of the playoffs. This seems to be a game that isn't about if the Dream can win, but more so about by how many? They're 9-4 in Atlanta this season, and should have no trouble making it 10-4.

(Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)

The nightcap finds the Indiana Fever in the Pacific Northwest to face the Portland Fire, as Caitlin Clark and company continue their three-game road trip that opened with a 105-95 win in Seattle in another highly publicized game loaded with confrontation, only this time off the court. The Fever arrive on a four-game win streak as they continue their ascension in the standings. The game tips at 10 p.m. ET.

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WNBA Betting Odds via FanDuel

Seattle Storm at Atlanta Dream

• Spread: Seattle +12.5 (-118) | Atlanta -12.5 (-104)
• Moneyline: Seattle (+490) | Atlanta (-750)
• Total: O/U 178.5 (-114/-106)

The only thing alarming about the Dream's four-game win streak is that their offense has scored less the last two games than it scored the first two. After averaging 106 points in wins over the Los Angeles Sparks and Toronto Tempo, the Dream have averaged 87.5 in wins over the Chicago Sky and Dallas. That said, the Sky and Wings have been playing much better than the Sparks and Tempo, and the latter two are better than the Storm.

Seattle has shown brief moments of competitiveness at different parts of the season, but I wouldn't trust the Storm during this four-game road trip. It opens in Atlanta, lands in Brooklyn for two, and concludes in Portland. If the trip to see the neighbor Fire opened things, maybe the Storm would win, but after trying to keep up with the Dream and Liberty, the coffin might be nailed shut after this tour. The last time the Storm visited Atlanta, the Dream won, 89-78.

My WNBA Best Bets Prediction: Atlanta -12.5 (-104)

• The Dream are one-half game behind the Wings and Fever in the standings. And with all three in action tonight, it's imperative Atlanta use its surging offense. Since June 6, the Dream have the fourth-highest scoring offense (94.7 points per game) in the league, to go along with the third-highest rebounding clip (34.7). Mired in a seven-game skid with a scoring defense that has allowed 96.3 ppg. during the slide, third most in the W.

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Dallas Wings at Washington Mystics

• Spread: Dallas -3.5 (-106) | Washington +3.5 (-114)
• Moneyline: Dallas (-158) | Washington (+128)
• Total: O/U 167.5 (-110/-110)

The Dallas Wings might be the best team that loses games it shouldn't. They've dropped two of three, with the two losses coming by one point. Six of their 10 losses this season have been by single digits, and I don't like the way their schedule is set up through mid-August. The Wings were at home Wednesday and now play on the road. They'll alternate home and away through Aug. 17, ending with back-to-back road games in Indianapolis and San Francisco. Granted, the Wings are 10-5 on the road this season, but they're outscoring their hosts by less than a point per game.

The Mystics are as mysterious as their nickname, and could pose problems for a top-tier team if they end up buying at the deadline. Since opening the season 5-7, they've won 10 of 15 behind the second-best scoring defense in that span, allowing 80.3 points per game. Also during that stretch, the Mystics are holding teams to a league-low .419 shooting. They match up well with the young guns from Big D, and could beat the Wings at their own game.

My WNBA Best Bets Prediction: Washington Moneyline (+126)

• Forget the point spread, I'm going to play the Mystics on the moneyline in this one, as I think they catch the Wings in a good spot to fall flat. During their most recent three-game win streak, the Mystics have beaten the Golden State Valkyries and the Las Vegas Aces while averaging 94.0 points per game. The Mystics are playing with much more confidence than the team that lost by 23 in Dallas back in May, and will be out for revenge with their stringent defense leading the way. Not only will the Mystics make it five straight at the window, but they're also winning outright.

Indiana Fever at Portland Fire

• Spread: Indiana -8.5 (-105) | Portland +8.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Indiana (-340) | Portland (+260)
• Total: O/U 187.5 (-110/-110)

Do Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell form the deadliest scoring combo in basketball? During the team's current four-game win streak, the tandem has combined to score no less than 50 points in each win, with an overall average of 58.7 points pacing the team's offensive attack. They've helped the Fever cover three in a row and seven of their last 10.

The Fire are missing Sarah Ashlee Barker, who was sidelined for the season after tearing her ACL. But it's not just the offense they're missing, as they've allowed 98 or more points in all three games of a three-game skid. Now they're facing the No. 1 scoring offense in basketball.

My WNBA Best Bets Prediction: Indiana -8.5 (-105)

• These two met twice in May, with each winning on their home court. But that's when the Fire had Barker in the lineup and were playing with a lot more confidence, with other upset wins under the belt as well. I expect Clark and Mitchell to combine for another big outing, which will pose problems for the Fire on both ends of the court. They won't be able to defend either Indiana star, and they won't be able to keep up on offense. Lay the points.

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