Friday's Best WNBA Bets
New York Liberty at Washington Mystics (-3.5, 150)
The new look New York Liberty opened the season in style with an 85-82 win over the Chicago Sky at Madison Square Garden Sunday.
The Liberty made serious moves towards a WNBA title this season, bringing in two-time champ Cappie Pondexter from Phoenix along with Taj McWilliams-Franklin from the Shock and Nicole Powell from the defunct Sacramento Monarchs, who also bring championship experience to the Big Apple.
"After last year's disappointing season we just had to take a look and say, let's start over," GM Carol Blazejowski told ESPN.
Pondexter scored 22 points in her Liberty debut Sunday, while McWilliams-Franklin added 20 and Powell chipped in with 11 points in the win.
Despite those stars, New York couldn’t cover the 6.5-point spread as home favorites and now take this growing team on the road Friday. Washington opened the season with two wins on the road, covering as underdogs both times.
"Our chemistry will have to evolve, but so far it's been fantastic," coach Anne Donovan told reporters.
While the Liberty wait for chemistry and cohesiveness, WNBA bettors will be fading New York.
Pick: Washington -3.5
Connecticut Sun at Atlanta Dream (-4.5, 159.5)
The saga of six-time WNBA All-Star Chamique Holdsclaw continues. Holdsclaw was recently dropped by the Dream after asking for a trade three days before training camp then not reporting.
Atlanta was shocked by the trade demands and attempted to keep Holdsclaw, who sat out the first two games of the season. The Dream have jumped out to a 2-0 start without the talented forward, who averaged 14 points per game last year after coming out of retirement.
"We appreciate all that Chamique has done to help our young franchise and we wish her well," Dream General GM and head coach Marynell Meadors said in a statement. "We are excited about the team we have in place and look forward to building on our strong start to the season."
Holdsclaw was a huge part of the team’s turnaround last season, going from a four-win year to a playoff contender in 2009. Atlanta brings in 6-foot-5 center Yelena Leuchanka to fill the void in the frontcourt. Leuchanka was the first Belarusian in the WNBA and played for the Charlotte Sting and Washington Mystics in 2006-2007.
The Dream’s newest member will be active for Friday’s contest with the Sun and will have the tough task of guarding rookie center Tina Charles, who scored 17 points and grabbed 10 boards in her pro debut.
Pick: Connecticut