Thursday's Best WNBA Bets
Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun (-7, 161)
The struggling Minnesota Lynx are slowly beginning to get pieces of their puzzle back.
The team reinstated Rebekkah Brunson from the suspended list earlier this week after Brunson missed the first four games of the 2010 WNBA season due to overseas commitments. Minnesota is still without Candace Wiggins, who could return soon from a knee injury, and Seimone Augustus, who is out until June after having non-cancerous tumors removed.
The Lynx are off to a 1-3 start, losing three straight games since winning the season opener. Their most recent defeat was a 94-82 loss to the Tulsa Shock, failing to cover as 6.5-point home favorites. Minnesota is 2-2 against the spread heading into Thursday’s game.
"Candice and Seimone aren't going to go out there and be the answer to our problems,'' Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve told the Pioneer Press.
Brunson, a former WNBA All-Star, should give the team some toughness up front. She’s averaged just under nine points and over six rebounds in her six-year WNBA career. Minnesota needs that boost, especially against a tough Sun squad coming off a win over the Washington Mystics last weekend.
Pick: Minnesota
Seattle Storm at Chicago Sky
The Seattle Storm look like true WNBA championship contenders four games into the 2010 season.
They’re off to a 4-0 start for the first time in franchise history. Seattle defeated Washington 82-76 at home Tuesday, fighting back from 10 points down in the second half. Seattle poured in 36 points in the fourth quarter, jumping ahead and putting the final over the 143-point total set by oddsmakers. Heading into Thursday’s game, the Storm are 4-0 over/under on the year.
"I said the same thing at halftime I said before the game except I was a little bit more pointed," Seattle coach Brian Agler told reporters. "I don't consider what I said to them the difference-maker, but I do think that they regrouped and there was a little bit different team playing in the second half."
The Storm ranks third in scoring and has a ton of weapons. Point guard Sue Bird and backcourt mate Tanisha Wright each had 16 points versus the Mystics while forwards Lauren Jackson and Swin Cash chipped in with 14 points apiece. Center Camille Little also struck double figures with 11 points in the win.
Pick: Over
MINNESOTA (1 - 3) at CONNECTICUT (2 - 1)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 2-1 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 3-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE (4 - 0) at CHICAGO (0 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 3-1 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 2-2 straight up against SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA vs. CONNECTICUT
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Connecticut is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Connecticut is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
SEATTLE vs. CHICAGO
Seattle is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
Seattle is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Chicago is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games when playing Seattle