Saturday's Best WNBA Bets
Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun (-5, 159.5)
The Lynx are tumbling out of the Western Conference playoff race.
Coming out of the All-Star break, Minnesota was 10-7 and within striking distance of first place as it targeted its first playoff berth. The Lynx have lost seven of eight games overall and against the spread.
One thing the Lynx have been able to count on is offense. Even without injured star Simeone Augustus, Minnesota has been second in the WNBA in scoring virtually all season.
But in their current four-game slide, the Lynx have scored fewer points each time out, dropping from 87 to 63 and falling to third in the league in offense.
Minnesota has not won in Connecticut since July 22, 2004.
Pick: Connecticut -5
Detroit Shock at Chicago Sky (-3, 148)
The Sky are getting healthy at the right time. They expect to have All-Star center Sylvia Fowles back, which may be why they are favored vs. the Shock for the first time since entering the league in 2006.
Fowles, who missed five games in July (all losses) with a knee injury earlier this season, sat out Wednesday's 106-99 home loss to Phoenix with a sprained left ankle.
Shyra Ely started for Fowles and scored a career-high 26 points. After the game, Sky coach Steven Key said Fowles should play in the next game.
Chicago also got back reserve forward Brooke Wyckoff, who missed two games with an illness. And the Sky signed forward Mistie Bass, who was cut in preseason but re-signed to replace center Chen Nan, who was diagnosed with a back injury and was waived.
Pick: Chicago -3
DUNKEL
Detroit at Chicago
The Sky look to bounce back from their loss to Phoenix and build on their 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 games following a SU defeat. Chicago is the pick (-3) according to Dunkel, which has the Sky favored by 3 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-3)
Minnesota at Connecticut
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 108.737; Connecticut 115.974
Dunkel Line & Total: Connecticut by 7; 149 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Connecticut by 4 1/2; 158 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-4 1/2); Under
Detroit at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 109.520; Chicago 113.178
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 3 1/2; 147 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 3; 148 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-3); Under
Washington at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 110.261; Sacramento 108.962
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 157 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Sacramento by 3; 150
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+3); Over
Indiana at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 110.109; Seattle 113.243
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 3; 139
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 2; 142 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-2); Under
MINNESOTA (11 - 14) at CONNECTICUT (13 - 12)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in road games in August or September games over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
MINNESOTA is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games against Eastern conference opponents since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-1 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 3-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT (9 - 14) at CHICAGO (13 - 13)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
CHICAGO is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 6-2 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-3 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON (13 - 13) at SACRAMENTO (8 - 18)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 173-220 ATS (-69.0 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 105-137 ATS (-45.7 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 13-29 ATS (-18.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 26-47 ATS (-25.7 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 136-92 ATS (+34.8 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 17-4 ATS (+12.6 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 4-1 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 4-1 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA (19 - 6) at SEATTLE (14 - 11)
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 66-94 ATS (-37.4 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
INDIANA is 71-98 ATS (-36.8 Units) in road games since 1997.
INDIANA is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in road games on Saturday games since 1997.
INDIANA is 46-73 ATS (-34.3 Units) against Western conference opponents since 1997.
INDIANA is 46-73 ATS (-34.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
SEATTLE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in August or September games this season.
SEATTLE is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) against Eastern conference opponents this season.
SEATTLE is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in non-conference games this season.
SEATTLE is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
SEATTLE is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 3-2 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 3-2 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons