Thursday's Best WNBA Bets
San Antonio Silver Stars at Atlanta Dream (-4, 165)
The only thing missing in the Atlanta Dream’s recent run toward a berth in the playoffs is a lock-down defensive effort.
If they can get one against the San Antonio Silver Spurs (11-13), they should be headed toward the postseason in the franchise’s second year of existence.
There has been a major steam on the total in this game, which opened at 160 but is now at 165 at most sportsbooks. This seems to make sense considering the teams have combined to average 172 points over their past five contests.
However, despite averaging 87 points per game in their last five outings, the Silver Stars are still just seventh in the league in offense at 76.5 points per game.
Atlanta (13-11), which has won and covered in six of its past seven games, has the league’s 11th-ranked defense at 81 points per game.
Dream coach Marynell Meadors recently told the media she was pleased with the team’s balanced scoring but was looking for her club to get tougher on the other end of the floor.
Such an effort against a struggling San Antonio club, which is just 4-5 since the All-Star break, seems a good place to start.
Pick: Under 165
Indiana Fever at Sacramento Monarchs (+5.5, 149)
Sacramento’s recent road play has given Monarchs fans hope. The team's play at home has left their faithful feeling hopeless.
The good news for potential Monarchs backers is that Thursday’s opponent is the Indiana Fever, who they have thrived against in recent seasons.
The Monarchs (7-18) need a home win and they know it. They have lost three straight in front of the home fans, including a 78-61 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks in their last outing.
“I was proud of my team because we never quit, we played to the end and we were trying to get better,” coach John Whisenant told the media after the game. “We still have nine games left. Six of them are at home. For our fans, we need to turn things around here and win.”
Although the Fever (19-5) boast the WNBA’s best record, they are 2-7 ATS in their last nine against Sacramento. They have not won on the Monarchs’ home floor since June 2003.
Pick: Monarchs
DUNKEL
San Antonio at Atlanta
The Dream look to build on their 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 home games. Atlanta is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Dream favored by 8. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-2 1/2)
San Antonio at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 109.233; Atlanta 117.197
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 8; 164
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 2 1/2; 166
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-2 1/2); Under
Indiana at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 115.454; Sacramento 108.962
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 6 1/2; 144 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 6; 149
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-6); Under
SAN ANTONIO (11 - 13) at ATLANTA (13 - 11)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
ATLANTA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 2-1 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 2-1 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA (19 - 5) at SACRAMENTO (7 - 18)
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 71-97 ATS (-35.7 Units) in road games since 1997.
INDIANA is 46-72 ATS (-33.2 Units) against Western conference opponents since 1997.
INDIANA is 39-62 ATS (-29.2 Units) in road games after a division game since 1997.
INDIANA is 46-72 ATS (-33.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 48-29 ATS (+16.1 Units) on Thursday since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 16-8 ATS (+7.2 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 8-16 ATS (-9.6 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) after a division game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 3-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 2-2 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons