Saturday's Best WNBA Bets
Detroit Shock at San Antonio Silver Stars (-2.5, 154)
The defending-champion Detroit Shock have gone from a team on the brink of a lost season amid a slew of injuries and a coaching change, to one on the brink of salvaging its season with a late surge.
The San Antonio Silver Spurs have watched a once-promising season fade away due to a prolonged and ill-timed losing streak.
Detroit heads into San Antonio with a four-game winning streak while playing its best basketball of the season. The reeling Silver Spurs have lost six of seven to fall out of the playoff picture.
Deanna Nolan scored 29 points as the Shock beat the Atlanta Dream 87-83 Thursday night to take possession of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Detroit (13-14) leads Chicago and Washington by a half game.
“We’ve got our mojo back,” Nolan said. “It’s great to have gotten to fourth, and we’re still in reach of second and third.”
The Silver Spurs (11-17) appear to have lost their mojo during a disastrous stretch in which they have dropped four of their past five home games. A win against Detroit might help them salvage some of it, but don’t bet on it.
Pick: Detroit +2.5
Atlanta Dream at Seattle Storm (-5, 160)
In just the franchise’s second year of existence, the Atlanta Dream already have exceeded expectations by producing a winning season and taking a comfortable hold on the second spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The battle-tested Seattle Storm have battled inconsistency, but are playing their playoff-caliber basketball at the right time.
The Storm (17-11) secured a playoff berth with Thursday’s win over the Connecticut Sun, and are looking to improve their playoff position with a strong finish.
“We’re starting to play the type of basketball we need to play going into the playoffs,” said Storm forward Swin Cash, who finished with 17 points and nine rebounds. “You look at the West and Seattle has been that consistent team that’s been in the playoffs. Now, it’s just time to get over that hump.”
The Dream (15-13) went on a tear after the All-Star break, winning seven of eight games to surge into the playoff picture. But Atlanta has lost two of three during a brutal stretch run in which it plays six of its last seven on the road.
The Dream lost a double-digit lead to the Detroit Shock Thursday before succumbing 87-83. They head to Seattle banged up after a physical affair in Detroit that had coach Marynell Meadors fuming afterward.
She criticized the officiating, and referred to the Shock players as “bullies.”
Pick: Seattle -5
DUNKEL
Atlanta at Seattle
The Dream look to build on their 6-1-1 ATS record in their last 8 road games. Atlanta is the pick (+5) according to Dunkel, which has Seattle favored by 3 1/2.Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+5)
Detroit at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 107.119; San Antonio 112.899
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 6; 149 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 3; 154
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-3); Under
Sacramento at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 106.851; Indiana 119.454
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 12 1/2; 148 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 8; 147
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-8); Over
Connecticut at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 112.855; Phoenix 113.363
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 183
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 4 1/2; 180
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+4 1/2); Over
Atlanta at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 112.980; Seattle 116.596
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 3 1/2; 153
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 5; 160
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+5); Under
DETROIT (13 - 14) at SAN ANTONIO (11 - 17)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as a home favorite of 3 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) against Eastern conference opponents this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) in non-conference games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 5-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-3 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (9 - 20) at INDIANA (20 - 7)
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 10-18 ATS (-9.8 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) after a division game this season.
SACRAMENTO is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.
INDIANA is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in home games in August or September games over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 47-74 ATS (-34.4 Units) against Western conference opponents since 1997.
INDIANA is 47-74 ATS (-34.4 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 4-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 3-2 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT (14 - 14) at PHOENIX (19 - 9)
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 124-87 ATS (+28.3 Units) in home games since 1997.
PHOENIX is 44-22 ATS (+19.8 Units) in home games in August or September games since 1997.
PHOENIX is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) after a division game this season.
CONNECTICUT is 77-51 ATS (+20.9 Units) in road games since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 37-17 ATS (+18.3 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
CONNECTICUT is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 3-2 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 4-1 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA (15 - 13) at SEATTLE (17 - 11)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
ATLANTA is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
ATLANTA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 12-5 ATS (+6.5 Units) after a division game this season.
ATLANTA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 2-1 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 2-1 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons