Sunday's Best WNBA Bets
Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks (-5, 161.5)
Los Angeles has been one of the biggest underachievers in the WNBA this year, but a home contest versus the lowly Lynx may be just what the doctor ordered.
The Sparks are coming off a lackluster performance against league-leading Seattle where they committed 19 turnovers, which included 13 steals. Star center Candace Parker was forced to leave the game for about a quarter because of a shoulder injury but said she was “Okay” afterward.
"I really wasn't pleased with our effort. I don't think we matched (Seattle's) intensity at all," said L.A. coach Jennifer Gillom. "Hopefully we'll learn from this and move on and be ready for Minnesota. If not, it's going to be a long season."
Almost sounds like a “must-win” type of game for the Sparks only a month into the 2010 season.
Los Angeles has won three straight games against the Lynx going back to last season (3-0 ATS) and outscored them by an average of 22.0 ppg during their last four meetings. Minnesota has dropped nine of their last 10 games and has failed to cover the spread in three straight.
Gillom coached the Lynx last season so she should know the tendencies of the carry-over players on the team. Look for L.A. to get a convincing victory Sunday.
Pick: Sparks
San Antonio Silver Stars at Atlanta Dream (-6, 161.5)
If your team can’t convert at the free throw line it can’t win championships, just ask John Calipari.
Atlanta holds a league-worst shooting percentage (64.7) from the charity stripe this year and is coming off a loss to New York where it missed 10-of-21 free throws. This has led to the Dream dropping three of their last four games after opening the season 6-0.
"It cost us," said Atlanta coach Marynell Meadors. "People are fouling us because we go to the line and we miss, so we have to figure out a way to start making free throws."
With its free-throw deficiencies Atlanta may be in prime position for an upset. San Antonio is coming off an 87-75 win over Tulsa where it returned key players Sandy Brondello and Becky Hammon.
"The thing in general with this game is just having Becky back," said Chamique Holdsclaw."She's a great player at creating for others. She's our Steve Nash."
Holdsclaw was a holdout for the Dream to begin this season and ended up leaving the team after she said she couldn’t play under Meadors. Atlanta’s loss was San Antonio’s gain as Holdsclaw is averaging 14.7 ppg this season for the Silver Stars and there is no doubt she will be fueled with additional motivation Sunday.
Pick: Silver Stars
SAN ANTONIO (3 - 5) at ATLANTA (7 - 3)
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Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in road games in June games since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) against Eastern conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
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Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 4-1 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 3-2 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CONNECTICUT (6 - 2) at INDIANA (5 - 4)
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Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in road games after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in road games after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 50-30 ATS (+17.0 Units) in June games since 1997.
INDIANA is 17-31 ATS (-17.1 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
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Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 4-4 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 4-4 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MINNESOTA (2 - 8) at LOS ANGELES (2 - 7)
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Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 48-73 ATS (-32.3 Units) in road games vs. division opponents since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 11-21 ATS (-12.1 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 59-91 ATS (-41.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
LOS ANGELES is 34-19 ATS (+13.1 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
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Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 5-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 5-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA vs. LOS ANGELES
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Minnesota is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
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SAN ANTONIO vs. ATLANTA
San Antonio is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
San Antonio is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
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CONNECTICUT vs. INDIANA
Connecticut is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Connecticut is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Indiana is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Indiana is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games at home