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WNBA Daily Betting Odds, Stats, & Predictions for Thursday, August 31

Sara Jane Gamelli 3191 August 31, 2023 No Comments

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Sara Jane Gamelli

There are three games on the WNBA betting slate for Thursday, August 31. With the playoffs in sight, the Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm have been eliminated from playoff contention.  Starting at 10 PM EST, the Washington Mystics (17-18, 5-11 Away) will matchup against the Las Vegas Aces (30-6, 16-1 Home) on the road.  The Mystics are on a two-game win streak, and remain half a game ahead of Atlanta for the 5th seed. For the West, the Seattle Storm (10-25, 6-10 Away) will face off against the Los Angeles Sparks (15-20, 9-9 Home).  The Los Angeles Sparks currently hold a half a game lead over the Chicago Sky for the 8th and final playoff seed.  

If you're looking to bet on the WNBA, I will discuss the straight betting odds, statistics, information, trends, and my best straight bet predictions. The matchups today will air on Amazon Prime Video.  If you are looking for the best WNBA betting odds, stats and analysis, here is some information to know.

Daily WNBA Betting Odds for 8/31

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Sparks ML (-290)

The Los Angeles Sparks are coming off a tough home loss against the Chicago Sky, 76-75. Although the Sparks dropped two straight games, they won six straight in the month of August. In the last ten games, Los Angeles is 6-4, and had impressive wins over Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Washington. Over the last month, Head Coach Curt Miller has more consistency in the starting lineup. Considering the team has been plagued with injuries, Los Angeles is 1.5 games ahead of the Sky for the 8th and final WNBA playoff seed.

The Sparks will be without guard Layshia Clarendon tonight, due to health protocols. Over the month of August, Clarendon is averaging 12 points, 3.2 assists, and close to 51 percent field goal shooting. The Sparks guard is additionally shooting over 53 percent from the three-point this month. Without Clarendon, Los Angeles will be without one of their toughest players on both sides of the ball. Last game, guard Jasmine Thomas got the starting nod in replace of Clarendon. Thomas scored 3 points and dished out 4 assists in 23 minutes.

Season matchup with the Seattle Storm

The season series is split 1-1 between the Seattle Storm and the Los Angeles Sparks. It's important to note that the first two matchups came back in June. Since then, the Sparks have evolved, and are an efficient team defensively. In the two meetings, Los Angeles had Lexie Brown, who is out for the remainder of the season with an illness. In addition, Chiney Ogwumike, now hurt, had 15 points. In game 1, the Sparks allowed the Storm to shoot 50 percent from the three, in addition to 85 points.

Both squads changed drastically since the beginning of June. Nearing the end of the regular season, the starting lineups will be vastly different, and the Storm are officially eliminated from playoff contention. In Seattle's last matchup against Chicago, down by five, they choose not to score, with 8 seconds to go. Since the Storm are one of the worst teams in the league, it would be hard to turn a blind eye to them possibly tanking. If you're betting on the WNBA, I would not be confident in the Storm, who are out of the postseason, and chose not to make last a game a one-point possession. Many would agree, the decision did not sit well with bettors or fans.

Why the Sparks will win the Moneyline

Led by All-Star, Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles has the second-best defense in the league, specifically this month. Behind the Connecticut Sun, the Sparks hold the opposition to just 31.7 three-point percentage. With only a half a game lead over the Sky for the 8th seed, I expect the Sparks to bring everything they have tonight, especially with five games remaining. The resurgence of Jordin Canada, along with Azura Stevens has been colossal for the Sparks offense. I would expect rookie Zia Cooke to have increasing minutes, along with Hamby tonight.

Even without Clarendon, the Sparks have two stars in Canada and Ogwumike. Averaging 80 points on offense, Los Angeles is limiting opponents to 76.3 points per game, which is second in the WNBA. Although these are two of the worst offensive teams in the league, if you're betting on the WNBA, I expect the Sparks to run away with this game. Curt Millers team has covered the spread in 8 of the last ten games, and three of the last five. Overall, the Sparks are 9-9 at home, whereas the Storm are 6-10 on the road. Over the last ten games, LA is 4-3 at home vs. the Moneyline, and 7-6 when favored this season.

If you're betting on the WNBA, the Los Angeles Sparks have a 63.3 percent chance to win tonight, according to ESPN. Between Canada and Ogwumike, the duo makes up close to 43 percent of the offense. They will face MVP candidate Jewell Loyd, who's averaging 24.5 points in the last five games. Seattle ranks last in field goal percentage (40.9), whereas they take the second most three-pointers in the league. Look for Los Angeles to rely on their defense versus the worst offensive team in the league and play tough around the perimeter.

Season Statistics & Betting Trends

Seattle Storm

  • Seattle Storm: 1-4 in their last 5 games.
  • 4-6 in their last 10 games.
  • ATS Record: 18-15-2
  • O/U Record: 17-18-0
  • 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
  • 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games.
  • O/U is 4-1 in the last 5 games.
  • O/U: 5-5 in the last 10 games.
  • 12th in Offensive Rating (97.1)
  • 8th in Defensive Rating (103.6)
  • 11th in Points Per Game (78.7)
  • 4th in Pace: 96.94
  • Opponent Points Per Game: 83.9 (9th)
  • Three-Point Percentage: 34.7 % (5th)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 35 (4th)
  • Seattle ATS won last 10 games:  Phoenix (+4, -3), Atlanta (+5), Minnesota (+5.5)

Los Angeles Sparks

  • Los Angeles Sparks: 3-2 in their last 5 games.
  • 6-4 in their last 10 games.
  • ATS Record: 17-16-2
  • O/U Record: 14-21-0
  • 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
  • 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.
  • O/U is 1-4 in the last 5 games.
  • O/U: 3-7 in the last 10 games.
  • 10th in Offensive Rating (98.1)
  • 8th in Defensive Rating (103.6)
  • 10th in Points Per Game (79.1)
  • 7th in Pace: 96.44
  • Opponent Points Per Game: 80.3 (2nd)
  • Three-Point Percentage: 33.3 % (8th)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 31.8 (11th)
  • Los Angeles ATS won last 10 games:  New York (+8.5), Washington (+3, +2.5), Indiana (+1), Atlanta (+1, -1.5), Las Vegas (+16.5), Phoenix (-11),

Head-to-head stats: Storm vs. Sparks

Season Matchups:

Game 1: Los Angeles 92, Seattle 85 (Push, Over 163.5)
Game 2: Seatle 66, Los Angeles 63 (Seattle +3.5, Under 164)

  • The season series is split 1-1
  • Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 156
  • Seattle average points last 10 games: 79
  • Los Angeles average points last 10 games: 80

Injuries

Seattle Storm

  • Gabby Williams, forward: OUT

Los Angeles Sparks

  • Layshia Clarendon, guard: OUT
  • Chiney Ogwumike, forward: OUT
  • Nia Clouden, guard: OUT
  • Lexie Brown, guard: OUT
  • Katie Lou Samuelson, forward: OUT

Washington Mystics +10.5 (-108)

The Washington Mystics currently sit in the 5th playoff spot, half a game ahead of the Atlanta Dream. Fresh off a two-game win streak, the Mystics have recent victories over Minnesota and Las Vegas. As a unit, Washington has won three of their last five, and covered the spread in two straight matchups. With less than two weeks of the regular season, Elena Delle Donne and Ariel Atkins have returned from injury.

Although Washington ranks near the bottom in offensive efficiency, they are a top 5 defensive team, specifically in the month of August. Since her return, All-Star Elena Delle Donne is averaging 15.5 points. Even with the addition of Atkins and Delle Donne, this team has struggled offensively, only averaging 80.5 in the past two matchups. Conversely, their defense has been stellar, allowing opponents to score an average of 75.6 points over the past five games. Even though the Mystics are 15-19-1 against the spread this season, they covered the +10 against Vegas, and had a push against Connecticut. Even though most of their spread coverages have come at home, you have to look at the recent play of Las Vegas.

Season Matchup

The Aces and the Mystics matched up two times, in which Washington shocked the world on Saturday. Vegas, on a grueling road stretch, were playing their 5th game in 8 days. With most of the Ace's starters lacking energy, Washington was able to secure the 78-62 victory. In the defeat, the Mystics covered the +10-point spread, and held Vegas to 21 percent three-point shooting. Mind you, the Aces are the top team in the league on both sides of the ball and lead the league in three-point percentage. Delle Donne led the way with 21 points, followed by Atkins with 16. It's important to note, Brittney Skyes is questionable tonight with an illness. The Mystic's guard is averaging 15.5 points, 2.2 steals, and is a dynamic force on the defensive end.

In both teams' first matchup, Las Vegas defeated Washington, 113-89, and covered the -17.5-point spread. The Mystics, without Delle Donne and Atkins, couldn't get any stops on the defensive end. Aces Star A'ja Wilson finished with a 40 piece, followed four players with points in double figures. By the end of regulation, Vegas shot 50 percent from the three, and 94 percent from the free-throw line. For Washington, Hawkins, Sykes, Hines-Allen, and Cloud each had points in double digits.

Why the Washinton Mystics can cover

The Las Vegas Aces still remain the top seeded team at 30-6. In fact, Becky Hammons team is 16-1 at home, and leads the team in net rating. However, August has not been kind to the Aces. 4 of their 6 losses came since August 15th, and they dropped three of their last five games. Coming off a rough road schedule, Las Vegas is 0-5 against the spread in their last five, and covered once in the last seven games.

After the Liberty defeated the Aces on Monday night, Las Vegas Head Coach Becky Hammon mentioned resting her starters. She admitted that her star players have been overplayed, and that the second bench unit will have significant minutes moving forward. “Fatigue starts to set in because you start to overplay people,” she said. “That’s part of the problem, too, is some of our depth, but we’re going to continue playing our bench. "(Andy Yamashita Las Vegas Review-Journal).

The Aces to rest their starters?

With Becky Hammon plans to start more of her bench players, I definitely like Washington to cover this spread if you're betting on the WNBA. It's a large margin at +10.5, and the Aces rank last in the league in bench production (13.3 points). On average, the second unit shoots only 31.2 percent from the three, and rank second to last in minutes per game (10.2). With Candace Parker out for the season, the Aces bench consists of Alysha Clark, Cayla George, Sydney Colson, and Kierstan Bell. In their last matchup against Washington, the second unit had a total of 8 points.

If you're betting on the WNBA, I like Washington to cover the +10.5 spread, especially if Hammon plans to rest her starters. With Washington only having a two-game lead over the 8th seed, I am confident they will play tough in tonight's matchup.

Season Statistics & Betting Trends

Washington Mystics

  • Washington Mystics: 3-2 in their last 5 games.
  • 5-5 in their last 10 games.
  • ATS Record: 15-19-1
  • O/U Record: 13-21-1
  • 2-2-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
  • 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
  • O/U is 1-4 in the last 5 games.
  • O/U: 4-6 in the last 10 games.
  • 9th in Offensive Rating (99.3)
  • 5th in Defensive Rating (100)
  • 8th in Points Per Game (80.5)
  • 5th in Pace: 96.89
  • Opponent Points Per Game: 84.2 (9th)
  • Three-Point Percentage: 33.3 % (9th)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 32.3 (10th)
  • Washington ATS won last 10 games:  Chicago (-2.5), Las Vegas (+10), Minnesota (-7.5)

Las Vegas Aces

  • Las Vegas Aces: 2-3 in their last 5 games.
  • 6-4 in their last 10 games.
  • ATS Record: 19-17-0
  • O/U Record: 21-15-0
  • 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games.
  • 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games.
  • O/U is 3-2 in the last 5 games.
  • O/U: 5-5 in the last 10 games.
  • 1st in Offensive Rating (112.3)
  • 1st in Defensive Rating (97/8)
  • 1st in Points Per Game (92.6)
  • 2nd in Pace: 98.88
  • Opponent Points Per Game: 80.6 (3rd)
  • Three-Point Percentage: 37.6 % (1st)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 34.8 (5th)
  • Las Vegas ATS won last 10 games:  Dallas (-8.5), Washington (-17.5), Atlanta (-16.5), New York (-7.5).

Head-to-head stats: Mystics vs. Aces

Season Matchups:

Game 1: Las Vegas 113, Washington 89 (Las Vegas -17.5, Over 171)
Game 2: Washington 78, Las Vegas 62 (Washington +10, Under 170)

  • The season series is split 1-1
  • Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 160
  • Washington average points last 10 games: 80
  • Las Vegas average points last 10 games: 88

Injuries

Washington Mystics

  • None

Las Vegas Aces

  • None

Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics and is a sports journalist as well.

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