Friday's Best WNBA Bets
By Covers.com
Seattle Storm at Minnesota Lynx (-4, 158)
The Minnesota Lynx are off to a fast start for the second straight year. This time, they're hoping to maintain that momentum through the season.
The Western Conference leaders, the highest-scoring team in the WNBA, go for a second straight victory over a top West contender when they host the Seattle Storm on Friday night.
Minnesota (3-0) fizzled after a 5-0 start last year, but is hoping that the experience will help it keep up its strong play throughout this season. The Lynx missed the playoffs in 2008, finishing 16-18.
Wednesday night's 87-76 win over Los Angeles should certainly help toward that end. Although the Sparks played without league MVP Candace Parker, they still featured a strong, veteran roster after reaching the West finals last year.
A win over the Storm - something Minnesota couldn't manage in three meetings last year - would further build its confidence.
Seattle (2-1) finished second in the West with a 22-12 record in 2008, even though two-time league MVP Lauren Jackson missed 13 games due to the Olympics and an ankle injury.
The Australian center has returned after flirting with free agency, averaging 23.0 points in the Storm's first three games.
After a home-and-home sweep of Sacramento last weekend, Seattle lost 73-66 at Indiana on Tuesday.
Pick: Storm
Phoenix Mercury at Sacramento Monarchs (Pick, 169)
Phoenix hasn't enjoyed much success lately at Arco Arena. After starting the season with two straight wins, though, the Mercury may be able to expect better results Friday night.
The Mercury look to remain unbeaten when they open a home-and home series Friday night in Sacramento against a Monarchs club still seeking its first victory of the season.
Phoenix is now seeking its best start since 1998, when it finished 19-11 and earned a trip to the WNBA finals, where it lost to the Houston Comets in three games.
The Mercury have lost 14 of 17 at Arco Arena since winning their first four visits there.
The Monarchs (0-2) are seeking to bounce back from a pair of 10-point defeats to Seattle, losing 80-70 on the road Sunday after falling 71-61 to the Storm on Saturday.
Sacramento has won 11 of 13 regular-season home games dating to last season, but starting with Saturday night's game in Phoenix, the Monarchs play six of seven on the road.
Pick: Monarchs
LOS ANGELES (1 - 2) at INDIANA (1 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 62-92 ATS (-39.2 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
INDIANA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 2-2 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 3-1 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE (2 - 1) at MINNESOTA (3 - 0)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 5-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 5-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA (1 - 1) at CHICAGO (0 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 3-1 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 3-1 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX (2 - 0) at SACRAMENTO (0 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 4-3 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 5-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons