Sunday's Best WNBA Bets
By Covers.com
Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty (+2.5, 173)
Madison Square Garden has not been kind to the Mercury. Since 2004, the team is just 1-4 at the historic venue, including a 32-point loss there last year.
And Phoenix still is trying to regain some of its swagger which took it to the top of the Western Conference. The Mercury (12-5) are just 3-3 SU on the road this year, with their most recent loss a 99-86 defeat to Minnesota just before the All-Star break.
But Phoenix should be bolstered by the return of suspended guard Diana Taurasi (20.7 ppg) and already has defeated the Liberty once this season, a 91-84 win in early June.
The Liberty (6-9) are coming off a 15-point loss to Sacramento and are just 3-5 ATS at home this year.
Pick: Mercury
Sacramento Monarchs at Washington Mystics (-5, 150)
The Monarchs have struggled to a 4-14 record this year, but to turn around their poor fortunes, the team might consider moving its home games to the MCI Center in Washington.
Sacramento is 4-1 all-time at the arena and won there last year by three. In fact, the Monarchs all-time record against the Mystics is 9-1. The past three meetings, however, have been decided by an average of just four points per game, including one overtime.
The Monarchs also beat the Mystics earlier this year in California, 87-81.
The real dilemma comes from the Monarchs’ 2-9 SU road record. Its 3-7-1 ATS road record also is poor, but the team is finally getting healthy. Sacramento is coming off a 15-point win over the Liberty in New York and should carry that momentum down I-95 to D.C.
Pick: Monarchs
PHOENIX (12 - 5) at NEW YORK (6 - 9)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 115-86 ATS (+20.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.
NEW YORK is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) after a division game this season.
PHOENIX is 55-36 ATS (+15.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 3-1 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 3-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (4 - 14) at WASHINGTON (8 - 7)
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 5-12 ATS (-8.2 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 30-53 ATS (-28.3 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 5-12 ATS (-8.2 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 27-46 ATS (-23.6 Units) in road games after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 167-215 ATS (-69.5 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 104-135 ATS (-44.5 Units) after a division game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 4-0 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 4-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons