Thursday's Best WNBA Bets
Tulsa Shock at Indiana Fever (-14.5, 154)
The Tulsa Shock are doing what they can to shake themselves out of their current funk. The Shock, who have lost 10 straight games heading into Thursday, signed guard Ivory Latta this week, hoping to spark their backcourt.
Tulsa waived rookie guard Natasha Lacey in order to make room on the 11-player roster. Latta was released by the Shock after training camp this offseason. She played in the WNBA for three seasons, averaging just seven points in the pros after a stellar college career at North Carolina.
While her addition may be an improvement, it isn’t the cure for the Shock. They’ve been dismal over the last month, covering just once during this 10-game losing skid. Tulsa is scoring more than 79 points per game - fifth in the league - but is allowing more than 88 point a night, which ranks second-last in the WNBA.
The Fever are the top defensive team in the league, giving up just over 70 points per outing. Indiana is 7-3 in its last 10 games, posting a 6-4 record against the spread. It recently downed Chicago, 58-51, as a 2.5-point road favorite.
Pick: Indiana
San Antonio Silver Stars at Minnesota Lynx (-2.5, 153.5)
The Lynx are struggling to replace Candice Wiggins’ offensive efforts since the star guard was lost for the season with an Achillies injury.
Minnesota has lost its last two contests, averaging only 62 points in that span – 14 below its season scoring average. The Lynx managed only 58 points in their most recent loss and had just one player, guard Seimone Augustus, crack double figures in points.
"Not having Candice out there gives us one less offensive option that I think we got comfortable with," coach Cheryl Reeve told the Lynx's official website last week. "So we've got to figure that part of it out. We have to fill that void in whatever way we can."
The Lynx played under in both those games and own a 3-7 over/under mark in their last 10 contests. Minnesota is 7-9 over/under on the year. San Antonio has also fallen below the total in its last two outings and boasts a 6-9 over/under record.
Pick: Under
TULSA vs. INDIANA
Tulsa is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Tulsa is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Indiana is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Tulsa
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing Tulsa
SAN ANTONIO vs. MINNESOTA
San Antonio is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
San Antonio is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games
TULSA (3 - 13) at INDIANA (10 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
TULSA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in all games this season.
TULSA is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
TULSA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in May, June, or July games this season.
INDIANA is 53-80 ATS (-35.0 Units) against Western conference opponents since 1997.
INDIANA is 53-80 ATS (-35.0 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
TULSA is 8-6 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
TULSA is 8-6 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO (6 - 9) at MINNESOTA (5 - 11)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 37-57 ATS (-25.7 Units) in road games in May, June, or July games since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 50-77 ATS (-34.7 Units) in July games since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 63-92 ATS (-38.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 8-21 ATS (-15.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-4 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 5-4 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons