Thursday's best WNBA bets
Seattle Storm at Connecticut Sun (-4, 143.5)
The last time the Storm managed to beat the Sun, Mariah Carey’s Emancipation of Mimi ruled the charts, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was the top hit at the box office and President George W. Bush was beginning his second term in office.
Yeah, 2005 is a long time ago.
Since then, the Sun have taken the past six meetings between the squads as they are emerging as a top team in the Eastern Conference. Connecticut, which also is 5-1 ATS versus Seattle during the streak, has won two of its past three and seven of 11 at home this season.
The Storm, however, have lost three of five and each of their past two on the road. In fact, Seattle’s most recent wins have come by a combined four points.
Pick: Sun -4
San Antonio Silver Stars at Phoenix Mercury (-6.5, 177.5)
Fans of defense, methodical possessions and low-scoring games should avoid this matchup.
The Silver Stars have nearly been an automatic over play the past two months. Seven of their past eight games have surpassed the total as the team tries to compensate for its mediocre defense (76.7 ppg) by unleashing dynamic scorers Becky Hammon (20.7 ppg) and Sophia Young (17.2 ppg).
The Mercury have also been one of the best over plays in the league this season, posting an over/under mark of 16-7 overall and a staggering 9-3 record at home. The team has struggled to find a consistent rhythm since suspended star Diane Taurasi returned to the lineup from her suspension, but still sees plenty of points with the league’s best offense (92 ppg) and worst defense (88.7 ppg)
Each of the team’s previous two meetings also topped the number this season.
Pick: Over 177.5
DUNKEL
Indiana at Minnesota
The Lynx look to build on their 9-3 ATS record in their last 12 games against the Eastern Conference. Minnesota is the pick (+2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Lynx favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+2 1/2)
Seattle at Connecticut
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 111.038; Connecticut 112.157
Dunkel Line & Total: Connecticut by 1; 140
Vegas Line & Total: Connecticut by 3; 143 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+3); Under
Detroit at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 109.520; Atlanta 110.686
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1; 163 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 4; 162
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+4); Over
Indiana at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 112.510; Minnesota 113.477
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1; 162
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 2 1/2; 160 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+2 1/2); Over
San Antonio at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 109.431; Phoenix 114.873
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 5 1/2; 176 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 6 1/2; 177 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+6 1/2); Under
SEATTLE (13 - 9) at CONNECTICUT (11 - 10)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 20-35 ATS (-18.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 3-1 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 4-0 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
DETROIT (9 - 11) at ATLANTA (11 - 11)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
ATLANTA is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 3-2 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 3-2 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA (17 - 5) at MINNESOTA (11 - 11)
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 70-97 ATS (-36.7 Units) in road games since 1997.
INDIANA is 45-72 ATS (-34.2 Units) against Western conference opponents since 1997.
INDIANA is 45-72 ATS (-34.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more this season.
MINNESOTA is 6-20 ATS (-16.0 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 3-2 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 3-2 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO (10 - 12) at PHOENIX (16 - 7)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 9-21 ATS (-14.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
PHOENIX is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 117-86 ATS (+22.4 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
PHOENIX is 123-86 ATS (+28.4 Units) in home games since 1997.
PHOENIX is 43-21 ATS (+19.9 Units) in home games in August or September games since 1997.
PHOENIX is 79-52 ATS (+21.8 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1997.
PHOENIX is 51-29 ATS (+19.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
PHOENIX is 33-15 ATS (+16.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-5 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 6-5 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons