Each day of the WNBA season, our team of fantasy and betting experts breaks down every game on the slate, making note of everything from injuries and lineup changes to recent trends and more.
All odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook.
Here's what to look for during Friday's slate:
Chicago Sky at Connecticut Sun
7:00 p.m. ET, Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
Line: Sun -6
Money line: Sun (-270), Sky (+220)
Total: 162.5
Out: Kiara Smith
Fantasy need to know: Allie Quigley (available in 35.2% of leagues) seems to slowly be coming out of her shooting slump after her return from injury. In her first seven games back, she shot only 29.8% of the field with only four total 3-pointers for the entire stretch. In her last two games, Quigley has shot 42.9% from the floor and matched those four total treys in a much shorter span. She's shot at least 44.8% from the field with at least 2.1 3PG in five straight seasons coming into this one, so her shooting should continue to get better as she "regresses" to her mean.
DiJonai Carrington (available in 94.2% of leagues) continues to come off the bench behind Natisha Hiedeman, but in the last two games Carrington has outperformed her in the stat sheet. Carrington has scored 12 points in each of those games, and is averaging 12.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.0 3PG and 0.5 APG in 22.5 MPG off the bench in that stretch.
Best bet: Sun -6.0
The Sun have won six of their last seven games, with an average scoring margin of +9.7 PPG and their only loss an eight-point defeat at the Aces that they avenged the very next game. The Sky have been solid as well, winning five of their last seven with a +3.6 scoring margin, but the Sun are scorching right now. They also have added motivation in their first matchup this season against the Sky, who upset them in last year's playoffs on the Sky's way to the championship.
New York Liberty at Indiana Fever
7:00 p.m. ET, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Line: Liberty -2
Money line: Liberty (-125), Fever (+105)
Total: 160.5
Out: DiDi Richards, Betnijah Laney, Jocelyn Willoughby
Fantasy need to know: Rebecca Allen (available in 63.8% of leagues) has been a strong streamer option since moving into the starting lineup seven games ago. Over that stretch, she's averaged 11.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.9 3PG, 1.0 BPG and 0.9 SPG in 29.4 MPG.
Victoria Vivians (available in 30.4% of leagues) has had back-to-back poor shooting nights, but in the seven games prior had averaged 15.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.0 3PG and 0l.7 SPG. She's a good bounce-back candidate against the Liberty, who she's already played twice, and has averaged 17.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.0 APG and 2.5 3PG against this season.
Best bet: Over 160.5 points
The Fever have averaged 79.2 PPG in their last six, while the Liberty have averaged 81.5 PPG in their last four, the total of which would be right at/just over the 160.5 point line. These two teams have played twice this season, both games in New York, and in both games, both squads put points on the board. They combined for 178 points in their season opening matchup, then for 161 points when they played last week.
Seattle Storm at Dallas Wings
8:00 p.m. ET, College Park Center, Arlington, TX
Line: Storm -6
Money line: Storm (-240), Wings (+200)
Total: 153
Out: Marina Mabrey
Fantasy need to know: Gabby WIlliams (available in 76.5% of leagues) is a defensive-minded role player whose defensive stats have explosive upside in any given game. She's averaged 3.0 combined blocks and steals over her last seven games, with the best performance in that stretch featuring a whopping nine combined blocks and steals to go with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a 3-pointer on May 29.
With Mabrey (COVID-19) out, the Wings have several different directions they can go to replace her minutes and spot in the starting lineup. Tyasha Harris (available in 99.0% of leagues) is the next guard up off the bench, and in the only game this season where she's played at least 25 minutes, she has a 10-assist, 6-point, 2-rebound, 2-steal, 1-block effort. Another potential angle is to run Arike Ogunbowale and Allisha Gray as the starting backcourt, and add another frontcourt player to the mix. Isabelle Harrison (available in 55.8% of leagues) just moved out of the starting lineup three games ago, and had averaged 10.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.1 SPG and 0.4 BPG in her last seven starts.
Best bet: Wings +6.0
While Mabrey's absence will be felt in the backcourt, and the Storm have played well of late, six points is too many for the Storm to give against the Wings. While the Storm have won five of their last seven games, the Wings have won four of their last seven, including a 17-point win in Seattle last week. According to ESPN BPI, this game is close to a toss-up, with the Wings slight favorites with a 50.7% chance to win. -- Snellings
Washington Mystics at Minnesota Lynx
8 p.m. ET, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Line: Mystics -8.5
Money line: Mystics (-360), Lynx (+285)
Total: 157.5
Fantasy need to know: Tonight, the Lynx (3-9) take on the Mystics (8-5) at home. Minnesota has a 1-3 record at home and is without seven-time All-Star Sylvia Fowles due to cartilage damage to her right knee. For the duration of her absence, Damiris Dantas, Jessica Shepard, and others will be able to play more minutes. Among the teams in the league, Minnesota is eighth in offensive rating (98.2) and 11th in defensive rating (106.1). The Mystics are 4-2 on the road, and rank fourth in offensive rating (102.1) and fifth in defensive rating (96.7). Leading the way for the Mystics are Ariel Atkins and Elena Delle Donne. During the second quarter of Wednesday's game against the Sky, Delle Donne suffered a lower back injury. After two seasons of being sidelined by back injuries, Delle Donne was given sporadic rest this year. In the event that she misses time due to injury, Myisha Hines-Allen will benefit.
Aerial Powers (24.1), Kayla McBride (24.5) and Jessica Shepard (21.6) are all averaging 20 or more fantasy points per game and are the best fantasy options for a Lynx team dealing with a plethora of injuries. In light of the uncertainty surrounding Delle Donne, you should go with Ariel Atkins or Natasha Cloud as your top two fantasy options for the Mystics. If you're looking for a player to stream, you may want to consider Shakira Austin, who's available in 66.3% of leagues. She finished with 26 fantasy points against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night. You might also want to stream Alysha Clark. Since she returned from the COVID-19 protocols, her minutes have trended up. Clark finished Wednesday night against the Sky with 25 fantasy points in 28 minutes. She is available in 70% of leagues. -Eric Moody
Best bet: Mystics -8.5
The Mystics rank last in the league in pace and will attempt to slow the game down. In this matchup, Washington, however, has enough offensive playmakers to succeed. In the absence of Fowles, the Lynx should struggle against the Mystics. Washington is 5-1 in their road games against the spread. -Moody
Atlanta Dream at Phoenix Mercury
10:00 p.m ET, Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
Line: Mercury -4
Money line: Mercury (-170), Dream (+145)
Total: 153.5
Fantasy need to know: The Dream (7-5) travel to Phoenix (3-8) to take on the Mercury. Atlanta is 3-2 on the road, led by rookie Rhyne Howard, who averages 29.2 fantasy points per game. The Dream has struggled offensively this season ranking 12th in offensive rating (90.4), however they have been superb defensively, with a league-leading 89.4. As a team, Phoenix ranks sixth in PPG (79.9) and eighth in assists (18.6). On the other side of the ball, they rank 11th in RPG (30.5) and 10th in defensive rating (105.8).
Cheyenne Parker, Erica Wheeler, and Howard have been essential fantasy starters this season for the Dream. If Wheeler cannot play because of her ankle injury, those looking for a streamer should consider Kristy Wallace, who is available in 92% of leagues. Wallace scored 23 fantasy points in 30 minutes against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday. Aari McDonald is another solid streaming option, as she's available in 81.3% of leagues. In three of her last five games, she has scored 21 or more fantasy points. Diamond DeShields, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi, and Brianna Turner are all Mercury players you should feel comfortable inserting into your fantasy lineups. If you are looking for a streamer from Phoenix look no further than Shey Peddy. She has averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game over the last two games, and Peddy is available in 94% of leagues. -- Moody
Best bet: Over 153
It is possible that this game will have a higher score than bettors realize. Taurasi, Charles, and Diggins-Smith are all experienced players who will find a way to score against the Dream. Four of Phoenix's last five home games have gone over. -- Moody
Article From & Read More ( WNBA fantasy and betting tips for Friday - ESPN )https://ift.tt/I9J4NO3
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