Best and Worst Bets in the WNBA
By Jason Logan
Covers.com
The WNBA is back.
Where did it go you might ask? Most people had no idea the WNBA was on an Olympic break during the 2012 summer games, with its biggest stars battling in London. The season picks up Thursday after more than a month hiatus, with three games on the schedule.
Whether you’ve been waiting patiently for the “Dub” to start back up or are just considering betting on women’s hoops for the first time all summer, here’s a look at the best and worst bets from the first half of the WNBA season.
Best ATS
San Antonio Silver Stars (13-5 SU, 15-3 ATS)
What is it with San Antonio basketball teams making serious coin for bettors this year? The Silver Stars have picked up where the Spurs left off and have cashed in for backers in five straight before the break. Star point guard Becky Hammon helped Russia to a fourth-place finish at London 2012 while Sophia Young continues to dominate inside.
Worst ATS
Phoenix Mercury (4-15 SU, 6-13 ATS)
The Mercury have long been one of the stronger sides in the WNBA, but a rash of injuries slowed their start in 2012. Phoenix, however, is probably the one team that benefited from the break the most. Not only did the layoff allow Candice Dupree to rest her ailing knee but it also gave Olympian Diana Taurasi a chance to get in shape after missing the first half of the season. Taurasi was all fired up at the Olympics and could be the spark Phoenix needs.
Best over
Minnesota Lynx (15-4, 13-6 over/under)
Offense is the name of the game in the WNBA. The two top teams, Minnesota and San Antonio, are also the best over bets in the league. The Lynx have a surplus of fire power, averaging a WNBA-best 86.7 points per game behind Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, Rebekkah Brunson and Lindsay Whalen. Minnesota eclipsed the total in seven of its last eight games before the break.
Best under
Seattle Storm (9-10, 6-13 over/under)
Seattle’s stars may be getting up there in age but the defense is still one of the stiffest in the league. The Storm give up only 72.1 points a night – tops in the WNBA – and score just over 70 points for. Veteran center Lauren Jackson led Australia to a bronze at the summer games and is expected to join the team after sitting out the first chunk of the schedule.
CONNECTICUT (15 - 4) at NEW YORK (6 - 12) - 8/16/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 65-44 ATS (+16.6 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
NEW YORK is 36-18 ATS (+16.2 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 8-4 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 7-5 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON (4 - 14) at INDIANA (10 - 7) - 8/16/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 219-271 ATS (-79.1 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 134-174 ATS (-57.4 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 28-48 ATS (-24.8 Units) in road games in August or September games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 37-61 ATS (-30.1 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 137-174 ATS (-54.4 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 33-54 ATS (-26.4 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 9-24 ATS (-17.4 Units) after allowing 55 points or less since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 5-5 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 6-4 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX (4 - 15) at SEATTLE (9 - 10) - 8/16/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 6-13 ATS (-8.3 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 5-12 ATS (-8.2 Units) as an underdog this season.
PHOENIX is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 14-25 ATS (-13.5 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SEATTLE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 35-20 ATS (+13.0 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 12-3 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 13-3 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
10 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON vs. INDIANA
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Indiana's last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing Washington
CONNECTICUT vs. NEW YORK
Connecticut is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing New York
Connecticut is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New York's last 12 games when playing Connecticut
New York is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Connecticut
PHOENIX vs. SEATTLE
Phoenix is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Phoenix is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Seattle is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Seattle's last 9 games when playing Phoenix