WNBA Betting: The League’s Best and Worst Wagers
By Ryan Stetson
Covers.com
We’re about to come into a little bit of a lull in the summer sports betting calendar. The Euros have come and gone, Wimbledon is nearing its end, the MLB All-Star break is just around the corner, and the London Olympics are still weeks away.
So, there isn’t a better time to dig into some WNBA betting – if you’re into that sort of thing.
Here’s a brass-tacks look at what you might have missed as we close in on the midway point of the WNBA season.
All stats compiled before Wednesday's action.
Best team against the spread: San Antonio Silver Stars- 10-3 ATS
At 8-5 straight up, the Silver Stars sit in third place in the West, trailing Los Angeles and the league-leading Minnesota Lynx. But San Antonio is second to none among bettors. With Sophia Young filling up the stat sheet and the Silver Stars averaging 81.9 points per game, the club has been held to fewer than 80 points just once in the last seven games.
Worst team against the spread: New York Liberty – 5-9 ATS
The Liberty sit second from the bottom in the East, ahead of only the 3-10 Washington Mystics. New York averages only 71.4 points per game (10th) while allowing 80.1 points per contest (ninth) and is 2-4 both straight up and against the spread over its last six. Cappie Pondexter, a 5-foot-9 guard, is the club’s most dangerous weapon. She averages 18.8 points per game, but even that is her second lowest average in the last seven years.
Best over team: Minnesota Lynx – Over/under 10-5
After setting a WNBA record with 10 straight wins to start a season, the Lynx have slipped a bit lately. They are still 13-2 straight up, but both of those losses have come in the last five games and the Lynx have covered just once over that stretch. They keep on cashing for over bettors though, with each of their last four playing above the total. With four players scoring in double figures, the Lynx average a league-best 85.4 points per game.
Best under team: Atlanta Dream – Over/under 5-10
Outside of Angel McCoughtry, who leads the league scoring 22.6 points per game, the Dream just don’t have much in the cupboard. They sit in the middle of the pack in most significant team offensive and defensive statistics. When it comes to under bets, take a long look at them when they’re playing at home. The under has cashed in seven of Atlanta’s nine home games to date.
MINNESOTA (13 - 2) at LOS ANGELES (10 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 59-84 ATS (-33.4 Units) in July games since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 60-85 ATS (-33.5 Units) in road games vs. division opponents since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 35-20 ATS (+13.0 Units) in home games when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 40-25 ATS (+12.5 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 32-50 ATS (-23.0 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 26-46 ATS (-24.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in July games over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 18-36 ATS (-21.6 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
LOS ANGELES is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 16-28 ATS (-14.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 6-4 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 5-5 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO (8 - 5) at INDIANA (8 - 5) - 7/5/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 14-2 ATS (+11.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 2-1 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 3-1 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA vs. LOS ANGELES
Minnesota is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Minnesota is 3-19 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Los Angeles is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
SAN ANTONIO vs. INDIANA
San Antonio is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Indiana
San Antonio is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing San Antonio