Tuesday's best WNBA bets
By Covers.com
Connecticut Sun at Chicago Sky (-3.5, 144)
The Sun look to bounce back from another poor shooting performance Tuesday night when they visit the Chicago Sky, who look to win a franchise-record third straight.
Connecticut (1-2) has gone 10-5 in the first month of the season the last four years - 4-1 in 2008. Last season, the Sun finished second in the Eastern Conference at 21-13 and averaged 79.1 points, most in the East.
A precipitous drop in scoring this year has been the biggest factor in Connecticut's disappointing start. The Sun are averaging a league-low 66.0 points and shooting a WNBA-worst 33.3 percent. They were held to 29.0 percent from the field in a 67-62 loss to Atlanta on Sunday.
The Sky, who finished with losing records their first three seasons, are off to the best three-game start in franchise history. They won their second straight Sunday, beating Seattle 64-57.
Chicago, which averaged 72.7 points last season, is scoring 76.7 per game in 2009.
Pick: Under
Minnesota Lynx at Sacramento Monarchs (-2.5, 162.5)
The upcoming road trip for the Minnesota Lynx could be the biggest challenge they face all year.
The Lynx begin a difficult road stretch of three games in four days Tuesday night when they face the Sacramento Monarchs.
Minnesota (3-1) has been one of the bigger surprises in the league through the first week of action, winning its first three games before an 88-71 home loss to Seattle on Friday.
In order to bounce back, the Lynx need a better effort from star forward Seimone Augustus, who scored a season-low 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting Friday while being defended by Seattle's Swin Cash. Augustus averaged 24.0 points in her first three games.
"She's an unbelievable offensive player," Cash said of Augustus. "She's got weapons inside and out. I just wanted to make it difficult for her to get touches."
Augustus averaged 19.3 points last season against the Monarchs, who won two of three meetings with the Lynx.
Sacramento is hoping Ticha Penicheiro will be back in the lineup Tuesday. The point guard has missed the last two games with a right thumb sprain, and is listed as day to day.
Pick: Sacramento
CONNECTICUT (1 - 2) at CHICAGO (2 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 71-45 ATS (+21.5 Units) in road games since 1997.
CONNECTICUT is 38-20 ATS (+16.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 5-2 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 6-2 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA (3 - 1) at SACRAMENTO (1 - 3)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 41-66 ATS (-31.6 Units) in road games vs. division opponents since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 54-77 ATS (-30.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 134-86 ATS (+39.4 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
SACRAMENTO is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 25-11 ATS (+12.9 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 6-1 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 5-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons