WNBA Best Bets Today: 3 of The Best WNBA Picks Today September 17

With the WNBA winding down this week, we are officially into playoff push season! Looking to finish the regular season strong from a regular betting perspective, I will provide the best spread, totals, and player prop bets for Tuesday, September 17.

With three teams fighting for the 8th and final playoff seed, there should be plenty of exciting action today!

 (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

With tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET, the Connecticut Sun (27-11, 13-5 home) will host the Minnesota Lynx (29-9, 13-6 away. -1.5 point spread favorites on the road, the Lynx have a comfortable two game lead over the Sun the for the 2nd seed.

9-1 in their ten outings, the Lynx look to stay hot. Winners of five straight games, they get Connecticut, who currently sit in the 3rd spot.

With two games left, can Connecticut chase Minnesota?

A classic matchup between the New York Liberty (31,7, 15-4 away) and the Washington Mystics (13-25, 4-14 home), this one will take place in Washington, DC. +9.5 point underdogs, Eric Thibault and the Mystics are looking to avoid a series sweep against New York.

Better yet, they are one of three teams fighting for the final playoff spot. 7-3 in their last 10 games, Washington remains tied with the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream for 8th spot.

Three WNBA Teams are fighting For The Final Playoff Spot

Speaking of playoffs, there's a highly crucial matchup between the Chicago Sky (13-25, 7-11 away) and the Atlanta Dream (13-25, 7-12 home). Both 18 games back and tied for the final clinch spot, the Dream are -8.5 point favorites at home.

With Angel Reese out for the season, the Sky have dropped three straight. Winner of one lone game in the last four outings, the Dream have lacked some serious offense as of late. If you're planning to bet on the WNBA, this should be a close and competitive game to wager on.

• For the evening games, the Seattle Storm (24-14, 14-5 home) will host the Las Vegas Aces (25-13, 13-16 away).

One game back of the Aces for the 4th spot, this game should be a bloodbath. If the Aces are unable to surpass Connecticut in the standings, this will be a playoff preview between both teams.

Lastly, the Los Angeles Sparks (7-31, 5-14) will host the Phoenix Mercury (18-20, 8-11 away) tonight. Eliminated from playoff contention, the Sparks own the worst record in the WNBA. Likely locked in as the 7th seed, the Mercury do indeed have a large cushion above the 8th seed. -3.5 point favorites on the road, Phoenix is just a game and a half behind the Fever for the 6th spot.

WNBA Odds Are Current As of September 17 at 8 A.M. ET

In this article, I've once again heavily researched and will provide WNBA bets to keep you in the green. With a 152-124 WNBA betting record, I am up over four units on the year. If you're looking to finish out the regular WNBA season strong on the betting end, below is a list of my the WNBA best bets and player prop bets for September 17.

To save yourself some time, I've placed all of my WNBA bets within FanDuel Sportsbook.

Are you looking to bet on the WNBA? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here. 

WNBA Best Bets For Tuesday, September 17

WNBA Spread Bet: Washington Mystics

Washington Mystics 2024 WNBA Record:  13-25, 4-14 home

• Mystics +9.5 (-108 FanDuel)

One of my favorite WNBA spread bets of the day, I have the Washington Mystics to cover the +9.5 point spread against the New York Liberty tonight.

• Ever since I can remember, Thibault and the Mystics always play tough against New York.

A rematch of last year's playoffs, this game means everything for Washington.

With a chance to clinch the number one seed tonight, the Liberty are heavy 9.5 point favorites. Based off the circumstances and on the road, it's hard to believe why this point spread margin is so large.

1. While the line opened up with Liberty as -8.5 point favorites, it's fluctuated through the week.
2. Once hitting 10, I was able to grab the 9.5 point spread early this morning.

The reason why I say that, the Mystics have  always hung around games against New York. Although they only have 13 wins on the season, don't let that fool you.

• With an impressive 25-12-1 ATS record, the Mystics have been impressive against some of the most elite teams in the WNBA.
• Throughout the WNBA, we've seen the Mystics cover the against the Lynx (+7.5, +9), New York (+15, +13, +11.5), Connecticut (+8, +11) just to name a few.

The point I'm making, they've managed to cover against the top three teams in the league, and that was with injuries.

Although Shakira Austin is unfortunately shut down for the rest of the season, the Mystics have a fairly healthy Brittney Sykes and Ariel Atkins in the backcourt.

WNBA Betting Trends: Mystics Are 8-1-1 ATS V Liberty

Trending the wrong way, Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards is doubtful for tonight's game with an ankle injury. Adding to an already thin front court, it's next player up mentality.

A guard heavy team, it's up to Emily Engstler and Sika Kone to play alongside Stefanie Dolson down below. Acquired in a trade with the Lynx, guarding the duo of Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart will certainly be a tall task.

Aside from that, Washington's been red hot, 7-3 in their last 10 matchups, and 2-1 against the Dream and the Sky. Although the Mystics are coming off a heartbreaking 76-73 overtime loss against Atlanta, they have the pieces to keep up with New York, that is against anyone other named Stewart and Jones.

Just a month ago, the Mystics were looking anything but a playoff team.

• Winless until June 11, Washington resembles a vastly different looking team.
• With impressive victories over Seattle and Indiana, the Mystics have more than proven why they belong.

Yes, Washington struggles on the offensive side of the ball, averaging an WNBA fourth worst 79.2 points per game. A top seven team on the defensive side, we've seen the Mystics hold the Lynx and storm well under 80 points in the past 30 days.

• Games like that may explain why Washington only has a point differential of -2.7. While that largely differentiates from New York's league best +9.5 point differential, let's break down their recent matchups.

Holding a 14-5 ATS on the road, Washington have a decent 21-12-1 record as spread underdogs this WNBA season. With a 11-7 spread record at home, they get a lower spread total tonight. Covering the colossal +15, +13, and +11 point spread in all three matchups tonight, the books even know how much they've improved.

Final Betting Prediction: Washington Mystics +9.5 (-108 FanDuel)

Of the three outings against the New York, yes the Liberty won all of them. If you're betting on this WNBA matchup tonight, the Liberty only have a +21 point differential over those three meetings, which averages out to a 7 point differential.

• Well under the current 9.5 spread, I'll gladly lay the points with Washington tonight.

If you didn't know the Mystics are a top two team in three-point percentage (36.7 %), and three-pointers made (9.7). With that said, we've seen them compete at home against New York.

Although both teams haven't squared up since June, the Mystics have Jade Melbourne, Julie Vanloo, Karlie Samuelson, and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough.

• All guards that can compete alongside Sykes and Atkins, it will be Thibault who will have to demonstrate how to beat the Liberty playing small ball.

In their last matchup, we saw rookie Jade Melbourne erupt for a career high 21 points. With that said, they kept things close, leading by just two points heading into the fourth. With the bench adding 38 points their lasting outing against Atlanta, expect the Mystics to give New York every ounce of energy tonight.

Dating back to 2022, the Mystics have consistently held a -7.3 point differential over their last 7 losses vs. New York. That right there should speak volumes.

WNBA Player Prop Bet #1: Jonquel Jones

Jonquel Jones Season Stats

PPG: 14.5 | FG: 54.1 % | FT: 80.4 % | 3PT %: 39 | REB: 9.0 | AST: 3.2 | STL: 0.8 | BLK: 1.2

• Over 21.5 points and rebounds (-118 FanDuel)

Tonight, I'm taking Liberty forward Jonquel Jones to tally over 21.5 points and rebounds tonight against the Mystics. For -118 odds on FanDuel, the odds are a little juiced. However, in the final games of the regular season, I love Jones matchup with Washington tonight.

Mentioned previously, Jones is expected to eat on the points and boards, especially since the Mystics will be without Edwards and Austin in the frontcourt.

Sure, Dolson is 6 foot 5, however, the Mystics have been unsuccessful in stopping Jones, especially dating back to the 2023 playoff matchup.

There have been instances I've bet on Jones, who's run into foul trouble. With a few games left in the season, I would hope to think coach Sandy Brondello and the Liberty hope to lock up the one seed.

1. Overall, Jones has lost some production post all-star break, averaging exactly 21.5 points and rebounds.
2. Luckily for WNBA bettors, Jones is still a high caliber player for this team, and has a ton of depth beside her.

Although her productions been inconsistent at times, we've seen Jones bully the Lynx, Sky, Storm, and Aces in the points and rebounds category. Now, she get's a Mystics team, where Jones cleared well over this line in five straight outings.

Dating back to 2023, Jones is averaging 31.2 points and rebounds against Washington. I'm confident in the WNBA prop, especially since thats nearly 10 points higher than the prop line is set at tonight.

This WNBA Prop Line Is Set Too low

If you're betting on the WNBA today, Jonquel Jones has dominated the Mystics all year. Tallying 33, 26, and 37 points and rebounds against Washington, I'm wagering on the over.

• Although her rebound productive has dipped to 6.6 boards per game this month, which is slightly concerning, Jones has an average of 22.3 points and rebounds on the road this year.

Overall, I'm taking the player who's put up a combined 32 points and rebounds against the Mystics on the year.

Tallying 23.3 points in three games, this prop line is set too low. Putting up 29 points in June's matchup against Washington, Jones has averaged a high volume of shots against them (14.3).

As she's done in the past, I expect Jones to roll through Dolson, especially on the three point line, at the basket, or in the mid range. Although Jones's stands at 6 foot 6, she has a deadly three-point step back. I expect her to be heavily involved in the pick and roll game, as well as moving Dolson out of the paint along the perimeter.

Final Betting Prediction: Jonquel Jones over 21.5 points and rebounds (-118 FanDuel)

Expected to play a large role defensively, expect Jones to be effective on the boards against a Mystics team, who averages only 35.2 rebounds per game.

With the increasing pick and roll game with Sabrina Ionescu, we've seen Jones walk right through Edwards. With Edwards likely out for tonight's game, her offensive potential is scary for bettors.

Time and time again, we've seen Jones cook from outside the perimeter, especially since Dolson doesn't possess the speed to get out there as fast. Not one player could stop Jones in their last meeting, I don't expect it to happen tonight.

WNBA Total Bets: Minnesota Lynx V Connecticut Sun

Minnesota Lynx 2024 over/under record: 15-23-1

Connecticut Sun 2024 over/under record: 16-22

• Under 155.5 points (-112 FanDuel)

In a highly anticipated clash between the Lynx and the Sun, I'm betting on this matchup to total under 155.5 total points. Having placed one unit on the play, this will downright be a hard fought, defensive outing between the two teams.

If you're betting on the WNBA, the Lynx and the Sun are two of the top teams in the WNBA. With both headed to the playoffs, this could surely be a WNBA Finals preview. Trailing Minnesota by two games for the 2nd seed, I expect this to be fairly low scoring.

1. Overall, these two teams have faced off only twice this season.
2. With the Sun holding a 2-0 series lead over the Lynx, only one game totaled under 155.5 points.

However, you have to considering Connecticut's 83-82 overtime win against Minnesota back in May. With the line originally set at 162 points, the score, including overtime, totaled 165 points.

• With 21 fourth quarter points, that game total was 144 at the end of the fourth.

If you didn't know, the Sun and Lynx don't have the top producing offense. Averaging a combined 162.9 points on the season, it's truly the high caliber of defense on both sides that convinced me to wager on the under.

Allowing an combined average of 149 points per game, I'm expecting head coaches Cheryl Reeve and Stephanie White to pull out all the stops tonight. When looking back to their last matchup on July 4, the game total was so low (151), yet the Lynx shot well over 50 percent from deep, and the Sun, 40 percent.

While it wasn't a matchup of team's that couldn't hit a shot. it was a classic defensive showdown between the Lynx and Sun.  The bottom two teams in terms of pace, it's understandable why the under is expected to hit tonight.

Final Betting Prediction: Connecticut Sun vs Minnesota Lynx under 155.5 points (-112 FanDuel)

Overall, I'm not anticipating a shootout between these teams. Given the Sun's roster is drastically different from their last matchup, it's an intriguing matchup.

With the addition of Marina Mabrey, she will provide a much needed offense spark off the bench. When it comes to defense, that's still a question mark against the Lynx.

1. Past the olympic break, both the Lynx and Connecticut have remained top four teams on the defensive end.
2. When we talk about defense, the Lynx and Sun are elite when it comes to stopping fast break and second chance points.
3. With both teams limiting opponents to under 32 % from the perimeter, I expect this to be a slow rolled, low scoring matchup.

With Connecticut hitting the over in just one of four games, they face the Lynx, who have the same betting pattern. Given this game is in Minnesota, I love the chances of this hitting, especially since the over hit just 5 times in 19 home games.

Even though the Lynx are red hot, I'll take the top two defensive teams as the WNBA heads into the playoffs.