Thursday's best WNBA bet
By Covers.com
Phoenix Mercury at Washington Mystics (-3.5, 176)
Phoenix needs to catch its breath.
The Mercury were one of the hottest teams to start the season but have stalled the past several games, including squandering a late lead and going scoreless in the final 2:43 of a 91-87 loss to San Antonio Tuesday. Phoenix leads the league offensively, averaging 91.4 points per game, but has averaged just 85.5 points per game the past two outings – both loses.
It doesn't get easier against Washington’s stingy defense, which is yielding just 75 points per game. If the Mercury are to crank up their offense, they will have to rely on star Diana Taurasi (22 ppg), who averaged 30 ppg in two wins against the Mystics last year. If Phoenix can force the tempo it should control the game. Washington will have a hard time keeping up after failing to score more than 81 points this year. Its lone loss was a 93-81 defeat to Atlanta.
Pick: Mercury +3.5
DUNKEL INDEX
Phoenix at Washington
The Mercury look to bounce back from their defeat at San Antonio on Tuesday and build on their 5-2 ATS record in their last 7 games following an ATS loss. Phoenix is the pick (+3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mystics favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+3 1/2).
Game 601-602: Phoenix at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 111.313; Washington 111.870
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 170 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 3 1/2; 176
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+3 1/2); Under
PHOENIX (5 - 3) at WASHINGTON (4 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) as a road underdog of 3 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 162-210 ATS (-69.0 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) as a home favorite of 3 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 101-133 ATS (-45.3 Units) after a division game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-1 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 2-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons