Today closes out the WNBA regular season and the 8th-place playoff seed is still up for grabs. To explain today’s playoff implications simply (you really can’t), the Mystics can clinch with a win. If they lose, then it depends on the winner of the Los Angles and Dallas game. If the Sparks win, they are in. If Dallas wins, New York will slide into the 8th seed. Now that’s taken care of, let’s get to today’s best bets!
Atlanta Dream at Connecticut Sun prediction: 1H ATL +7.5 (-114)
The Dream and Sun close out their regular season series in today’s matinee matchup, as the Sun have won the previous 2 meetings, both by double digits. Connecticut is going for their 14th straight victory in today’s regular-season finale. Look for Connecticut to dominate throughout as the Dream is last in field-goal percentage against the Sun (37.2), rebounds per game (27.0), and in points per game (69.5). Oh, and this game is taking place in Connecticut, where the Sun hold the best home record in the league.
With that being said, the tenacity of Connecticut’s defense impacts their opponents mostly in the second half as it is hard to sustain the physicality and high pressure for 40 minutes. Take Atlanta to cover the spread in the first half.
Las Vegas Aces at Phoenix Mercury prediction: Aces ML (-168)
We’ve got a good one today out west as the Aces visit the Mercury for their third and final meeting. Today’s game does not impact these teams as the Aces have already locked up the 2nd overall seed, while the Mercury know they will not receive a first-round bye after losing Friday’s game in Seattle. Nonetheless, this game should still be exciting to watch.
The Mercury are coming off two tough defeats and today’s contest will not be easy as the Las Vegas Aces are averaging 91.4 points per game in their last 5 outings, having scored over 100 points twice. The Aces are 1st in offensive rating and 2nd in defensive, while the Mercury sit right behind in 2nd offensively. However, they are positioned 2nd-to-last in defensive rating. I expect Brittney Griner to have a huge game, especially if Liz Cambage is still out, but the recent play of Riquna Williams and Kelsey Plum for Las Vegas cannot be ignored. Las Vegas has too many weapons to stop, even if Diana Taurasi does play for Phoenix.
Minnesota Lynx at Washington Mystics prediction: Over 162.5 (-110)
This is the game of the day because if the Mystics win, they are in. Washington failed to take care of business on Friday in New York as this all could have been settled then. Instead, the Mystics will face a better overall team in the Lynx compared to the New York Liberty. The Lynx also have something to play for today as a win would secure the 3rd overall seed and home-court advantage in the second round.
Minnesota has been playing real well, averaging 89 points per game across their last 5 games. Lynx center Sylvia Fowles has emerged as an MVP candidate and guard Aerial Powers has been a consistent force for the squad since returning to the starting lineup from injury. For Washington, Ariel Atkins has been stellar against the Lynx so far this season, scoring 17 and 25 in their previous 2 meetings, and is coming off a 29-point performance in New York. Atkins will need to find some help in today’s game as Tina Charles contributed 31 points in game 1, but scored only 12 in game 2. On Friday, Charles was held to 10 points. No disrespect to the Liberty, but Charles will face a tougher frontcourt today in Fowles and Napheesa Collier. Despite the high stakes in today’s outing, it is going to be a fun one for WNBA fans.
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