There are people that would say that Sundays in July are meant for baseball. I’m here to tell you that today is about two things: WNBA Basketball and Wicked Wagers. There’s a four pack of games today, with a potential final’s matchup kicking the slate off.
Odds powered by BetRivers Sportsbook.
Las Vegas Aces (17-7) @ Connecticut Sun (16-8)
This one is going to be a doozie. Two of the best teams in the league squaring up on National television at 1pm. Shoutout to ABC/ESPN for getting this game on the air, because I can’t wait to watch it.
The Aces, 17-7 on the season and first in the West, head to Connecticut to take on the Sun, currently sitting second in the East. This line has been on the move, with the Aces favored by 1.5 yesterday, and jumping to 3.5 today, depending on where you’re shopping. The line move is a direct result of Jonquel Jones. The Sun’s leading scorer and rebounder, being ruled out due to health and safety protocols. BetRivers has the best line right now with The Aces as a -3 favorite, and a lofty total of 174.5.
These teams split their series so far this season, both winning efforts fueled by hot first half performances. Vegas has been playing well, with Kelsey Plum and A’Ja Wilson looking like they brought a little extra swagger back from the All-Star game. Jones is out and because of that I’m all over the Aces. It’s hard not to be, and the absence of Jones solidifies that. My favorite play on this game is the 2Q. Vegas has won both 2Q this year vs the Sun. BetRivers is giving us Vegas -1.5 at +108, which is great value. I’m also on the 1st half line, with Vegas -1.5 @ -115. That’s a gift, and I expect the books to squeeze some more juice onto that line as we approach tip off. Bottom line here, the Aces have all their weapons, and I like them to roll today. I’m taking them in the 2Q, 1H and full game.
The Aces are way too deep for a short-handed Sun team, and I’m laying points everywhere I can.
Wicked Wagers – Aces -1.5 2Q / Aces 1H -1.5 / Aces Full Game -3
Minnesota Lynx (10-16) @ Washington Mystics (15-11)
I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t want to have to play the Lynx right now. Minnesota won four of their last give, and seven of their last ten. They are getting hot at the right time and beating the best teams in the league along the way. They are on the road today, at a Washington Mystics team that is a sneaky finals contender.
BetRivers has this game set at -5 in favor of Washington, and I think that’s too many points to give a team that’s this hot. Washington plays some of the best defense in the league, but they don’t match up well with the Lynx size on the interior. Minnesota has a clear advantage on the boards, and if they can limit turnovers, I like them to cover. Minnesota is going to need to slow down Washington’s 3-point attack. If they do that they’ll be in this game until the very end. This is also a revenge spot for the Lynx, losers of both previous matchups with the Mystics this season. Those losses came early on, and this is a different team now. I’m taking the hotter team and a generous number today and grabbing the 5 with the Lynx. I also like the under in this matchup. BetRivers has it set at 160.5. Neither of the previous matchups have gone over that total, and I don’t think it does today either.
Wicked Wagers- Lynx +5 / Full Game u160.5
Atlanta Dream (10-14) @ Phoenix Mercury (11-15)
Atlanta heads to the desert to take on the Phoenix Mercury and will do so without three of their weapons. Monique Billings, Rhyne Howard and Nia Coffey have all been ruled out for this game. That puts Atlanta at a serious disadvantage. The Mercury will be without Diamond DeShields, and will certainly miss her 12.5 PPG, but I don’t think it’s going to matter that much. Atlanta has been sliding, losers of seven of their last ten, and on a three-game losing streak. Phoenix has their own struggles, and the loss of Tina Charles puts them in a difficult spot down the stretch.
The books don’t seem to think that her departure will mean much against a struggling Atlanta team. Phoenix still has too much talent, and they have Diana Taurasi. If you watch enough WNBA, you know that Taurasi is an absolute killer on the court. I think we see her step-up big time today to keep her team focused. We will see a lot more Sophie Cunningham and a big performance out of the Mercury’s leading scorer Skylar Diggins-Smith. Atlanta doesn’t have the horses to overcome the absence of their injured players, and I like Phoenix to roll this evening.
I’m looking at the first half of this game for my best bet. Phoenix is a 3-point favorite in the first half, and I love that line. The Mercury should come out and set the tone early and often in this game. Look for Phoenix to have a double-digit lead going into the half. BetRivers also gives us player props for the WNBA, which is something a lot of books don’t offer. Given what I said above about Taurasi, I love her to go over her point total of 17.5. Coming off a 29-point performance earlier this week, I expect that to continue today. Taurasi should have her way with this short-handed Atlanta team tonight.
Wicked Wagers- Mercury -3 1H
Bonus Wicked Player Prop- Taurasi Over 17.5 points