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WNBA Daily Betting Odds, Stats, and Predictions for Saturday, August 26th

Sara Jane Gamelli 2893 August 26, 2023 No Comments

Written & edited by:

Sara Jane Gamelli

It's Saturday, August 26th, and there are two games on the WNBA betting slate tonight. The Las Vegas Aces (30-4, 14-3 away) will matchup against the Washington Mystics (15-18, 10-7 home) on the road tonight. The New York Liberty (26-7, 14-3 away) will travel to Minnesota to face the Lynx (17-17, 7-10 home). In this article, I will discuss the straight betting odds, stats, information, trends, and our best straight bet predictions. If you're interested in watching all games, the WNBA League Pass is available. With two weeks to go in the regular season, each of these teams are currently in playoff contention. If you are looking for the best WNBA betting odds, stats and analysis, here is some information to know.

Daily WNBA Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Minnesota Lynx +9 (-110)

Photo Credit: Brandon Todd/New York Liberty

The Minnesota Lynx are coming off two back-to-back wins over the Dallas Wings. In those two victories, the Lynx covered the spread twice, and averaged 90.5 points in the series. In addition, Minnesota is shooting 36 percent from the three-point, and 47 percent from the field in the last two matchups. Furthermore, Lynx star Napheesa Collier is averaging 27 points and 7 rebounds in the games against Dallas, who is the fourth best team in the WNBA.

With the stellar play of Kayla McBride and Collier, the Lynx have increased their depth, with the return of Jessica Shepard and Dorka Juhasz. Although rookie Diamond Miller has been inconsistent at times, especially with injuries, she's been mentioned in the ROTY conversation. In the last ten games, Cheryl Reeve's squad covered the spread in three of the last five, and six of ten games. Overall, their record against the spread is 19-14-1, and currently stand one game above the Atlanta Dream for the 6th seed. If you're betting on the WNBA, the Lynx recent honorable play, along with spread coverage, should give incentive to take the +9-spread tonight.

Season Matchups

The series matchup is all tied up between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx. In Game on, on July 28th, Minnesota defeated the Liberty, 88-83, and covered the +13.5-point spread. In addition, rookie Diamon Miller scored 22 points, on 6-15 shooting. For the Liberty, Breanna Stewart added 23 points on 5-9 shooting, and Sabrina Ionescu, with 31, on 7-14 three-point shooting. Overall, Minnesota shot nearly 41 percent from downtown, and held New York to 29 percent from long distance. It's important to note, the Lynx were without star, Napheesa Collier, Aerial Powers, and Rachel Banham.

The second matchup, on August 4th, was another low scoring affair for the New York Liberty. With New York defeating Minnesota 76-66, their defense held the opposition to 18 percent three-point shooting, and outrebounded the Lynx, 43-32. Although Sandy Brondello's team didn't shoot as efficient this game, four of her starters had points in double figures.

For tonight's game, New York will have frontcourt depth with the addition of Stefanie Dolson back from Injury. Similarly, the Lynx will have both Napheesa Collier and Dorka Juhasz both available. The return of Jessica Shepard will provide additional frontcourt extent against a Liberty team that ranks second in the league in rebounds (38.1).

Why the Lynx can cover the spread

As the Lynx look to break .500 for the first time this season, they still remain a playoff team with the 5th seed. Although the Liberty is the more complete, elite team, Minnesota has shown they can cover against them this season, and New York has blown larger leads, especially in the first half of the season.

If you're betting on the WNBA, the Lynx face a New York team that is playing with true grit and tenacity. The Liberty are coming off an exhilarating overtime win against the Connecticut Sun and won nine of their last ten games. In fact, New York has the best record in August, in addition to rebounds per game, field goal percentage, and defensive rating. With the Minnesota Lynx scoring over 50 percent of their points as two pointers, they must try to break Brondello's defensive scheme tonight.

Although I didn't pick the Lynx to win this game outright, -9-point spread is large for two teams that have been able to keep the first two games close. Lynx guard Kayla McBride is averaging 20 points against the Liberty this season, and Collier with 18. In the last two games, their bench is averaging 27 points, which will be crucial to Collier and McBride. Even though Minnesota ranks 10th in defensive efficiency, the Liberty are only shooting 30 percent from deep in their last two games. If you're betting on the WNBA, the Lynx are 14-8 against the spread when they've been the underdog. For New York, they aren't as efficient on the road, going 7-10 against the spread. I expect tonight to be a low scoring affair, as the Liberty hold teams to 74 points in the last ten games.

Season Statistics & Betting Trends

New York Liberty

  • NY Liberty: 4-1 in their last 5 games.
  • 9-1 in their last 10 games.
  • ATS Record: 15-18-0
  • O/U Record: 18-15-0
  • 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
  • 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games.
  • O/U is 1-4 in the last 5 games.
  • O/U: 2-10 in the last 10 games.
  • 2nd in Offensive Rating (108.2)
  • 3rd in Defensive Rating (99.3)
  • 2nd in Points Per Game (88.2)
  • 6th in Pace: 96.56
  • Opponent Points Per Game: 80.4 (3rd)
  • Three-Point Percentage: 37.5 % (2nd)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 38.1 (2nd)
  • New York ATS won last 10 games:  Minnesota (-9), Las Vegas (+4.5, +7.5)), Chicago (-12.5), Indiana (-10), Phoenix (-12.5).

Minnesota Lynx

  • MN Lynx 3-2 in their last 5 games.
  • 7-3 in their last 10 games.
  • ATS Record: 19-14-1
  • O/U Record: 19-15-0
  • 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.
  • 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
  • O/U is 4-1 in the last 5 games.
  • O/U: 7-3 in the last 10 games.
  • 7th in Offensive Rating (99.9)
  • 10th in Defensive Rating (105.2)
  • 9th in Points Per Game (80.1)
  • 9th in Pace: 95.81
  • Opponent Points Per Game: 84.4 (10th)
  • Three-Point Percentage: 32 % (10th)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 34 (7)
  • Minnesota Lynx ATS won last 10 games:  New York (+13.5), Connecticut (+12.5), Chicago (+3.5), Seattle (-2), Dallas (+6. +6.5).

Head-to-head stats: Liberty vs. Lynx

Season Matchups:

Game 1: Minnesota 88, New York 83 (Minnesota +13.5, Over 167)
Game 2: New York 76, Minnesota 66 (New York -9, Under 170.5)

  • The season series is split 1-1
  • Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 157
  • Liberty average points vs. Lynx last 10 games: 75
  • Lynx average points vs Liberty last 10 games: 81
  • New York average points last 10 games: 86
  • Minnesota average points last 10 games: 80

Injuries

New York Liberty

  • Marine Johannes, guard: Day-to-Day

Minnesota Lynx

  • Lindsay Allen, guard: OUT (hand)
  • Natalie Achonwa, forward: OUT (maternity leave)

Las Vegas Aces -10.5 (-105)

(Photo by Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images)

The reining WNBA Champions, the Las Vegas Aces, are coming off a 94-87 win against the Chicago Sky. Vegas is off to their best start in franchise history with 30 wins, and continue to break records this season. Although three of their four losses came this month, the Aces remain one of the most prolific teams on both sides of the ball. Through 34 games, Becky Hammons teams ranks first in offensive and defensive efficiency. In addition, the Aces lead the league by a large margin in Net Rating, and three-point percentage. Throughout the season, Las Vegas has never been considered the underdog in the books. If you're betting on the WNBA, the Aces have a 19-15-0 record against the spread, although they are 1-4 against the spread recently.

Season Matchup

The Las Vegas Aces and the Washington Mystics faced off once this season, in which Las Vegas covered the -17.5-point spread. At the time. A'ja Wilson scored a career-high 40 points, and Hammons team shot 50 percent from the three, and 94 percent from the free-throw line. In a high scoring affair, the Aces had four players with points in double figures, and the Mystics with five.

Washington has been plagued with injuries all season, including losing star player Elena Delle Donne, in addition to Ariel Atkins. In their only matchup, the Mystics were without both, despite shooting 38 percent from downtown. For the frontcourts, both Wilson and Hawkins finished with respective double-doubles, and Vegas dominated into the paint, 46-36.

Why the Aces can cover

Both Elena Delle Donne and Natasha Cloud, of the Mystics, are listed as questionable for tonight's game. Donne, 33, suffered a hip injury, and hasn't played since her return on the 18th against Indiana. In her return, Donne was limited to 11 minutes, along with Atkins, who's seen narrowed minutes. Cloud, who is listed as day-to-day, scored 21 points, on 7-17 in the only matchup against Vegas.

Overall, the Washington Mystics hold down the 8th and final playoff seed, despite several different starting lineups and injuries. If Elena Delle Donne returns tonight, I can't imagine she would play a high volume of minutes. In the meantime, Hawkins, Hines-Allen, Cloud, Skyes, and Atkins would face Vegas, who has a lethal starting five. Overall, given the Aces have been heavily favored in most games, the -10-point spread is a good value here.

The Aces losses against the Sparks and New York came to a surprise for many. However, I still believe the Aces have the talent to beat an injury riddled team, who is 3-7 in their last ten games. Although Vegas couldn't cover three straight games, they are averaging 103 points in the last two games, compared to Washington's 74. Since the beginning of August, the Mystics have been one of the least efficient teams on both sides of the ball. In addition, Aces A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young are all coming off double-doubles. If you're betting on the WNBA, I like the value of Aces -10.5 tonight.

Season Statistics & Betting Trends

Las Vegas Aces

  • LV Aces: 3-2 in their last 5 games.
  • 7-3 in their last 10 games.
  • ATS Record: 19-15-0
  • O/U Record: 19-14-0
  • 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games.
  • 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games.
  • O/U is 2-3 in the last 5 games.
  • O/U: 4-6 in the last 10 games.
  • 1st in Offensive Rating (113.8)
  • 1st in Defensive Rating (97.5)
  • 1st in Points Per Game (93.7)
  • 2nd in Pace: 98.82
  • Opponent Points Per Game: 80.3 (T2nd)
  • Three-Point Percentage: 38.2 (1st)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 34.7 (5th)
  • Las Vegas ATS won last 10 games:  Dallas (-8.5), Atlanta (-13.5), Dallas (-8.5), Washington (-17.5), Atlanta (-16.5), New York (-7.5)

Washington Mystics

  • Washington Mystics 2-3 in their last 5 games.
  • 3-10 in their last 10 games.
  • ATS Record: 13-19-1
  • O/U Record: 13-19-1
  • 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
  • 2-8-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
  • O/U is 2-3 in the last 5 games.
  • O/U: 4-6 in the last 10 games.
  • 9th in Offensive Rating (99.2)
  • 5th in Defensive Rating (100.)
  • 8th in Points Per Game (80.5)
  • 4th in Pace: 96.96
  • Opponent Points Per Game: 81.2 (5th)
  • Three-Point Percentage: 33 % 9th)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 32.1 (9th)
  • Washington ATS won last 10 games: Atlanta (+8), Chicago (-2.5).

Head-to-head stats: Aces vs. Mystics

Season Matchups:

Game 1: Las Vegas 113, Washington 89 (LV -17.5, Over 171).

  • Las Vegas leads the season series 1-0
  • The Aces are 1-0 ATS vs. the Mystics this season
  • Game Points (AVG) last 10 matchups: 162
  • Las Vegas average points last 10 games: 89
  • Washington average points last 10 games: 77

Injuries

Las Vegas Aces

  • None

Washington Mystics

  • Kristi Toliver, guard: OUT
  • Elena Delle Donne, forward: Day-to-Day
  • Queen Egbo, center: Day-to-Day
  • Natasha Cloud, guard: Day-to Day

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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