WNBA fantasy and betting tips for Saturday

May 27, 2022

eric grumpyESPN

Every day of the WNBA season, our team of fantasy and betting experts breaks down each game on the whiteboard, taking note of everything from injuries and roster changes to recent trends and more.

All odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

Here’s what to look for during today’s whiteboard:

Las Vegas Aces in the Chicago Sky

3:00 p.m. ET, Wintrust Arena, Chicago

Line: Aces (-2.5)
money line:
Total: 168.5 points

Questionable: None

Discarded: Julie Allemand (Suspension)

Fantasy needs to know: Before the season began, new Aces head coach Becky Hammon promised Las Vegas would shoot more 3-pointers this year. Last season, the Aces made 162 3-pointers. So far this season, Las Vegas has made 85. The Aces are averaging nearly 26 3-pointers per game this season after averaging just 13.5 attempts last season. With a 7-1 record, Las Vegas ranks first in offensive rating (112.5) and fifth in defensive rating (97.1). All five starters are averaging 10 or more PPG. Between A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Dearica Hamby and Chelsea Gray, they’re all must-haves in the world of fantasy.

The defending champion Sky boasts a 3-2 record and just welcomed WNBA Finals MVP Kahleah Copper after a breakout season abroad. With Chicago’s full roster back together, the Sky should be able to win more games. The team ranks third in offensive rating (103.7) and fourth in defensive rating (96.3). Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Emma Meesseman and Copper are must-see stars. Averaging 14.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.2 SPG and 1.3 BPG, Parker has been an outstanding performer so far this season. Three of her five games have seen her score 40 or more fantasy points. Parker is also just four rebounds away from overtaking Candice Dupree for sixth place all-time on the WNBA rebounding list. Azura Stevens, even in a backup role with Copper’s backing, is still a good streamer. Stevens is available in 44.7% of the leagues.

The two teams will meet for the first time this season. It was the Aces who won two of three games last year against the Sky. With both teams ranking in the top three in terms of PPG, APG, FG percentage, and assist-to-turnover ratio, we can expect a fast-paced game.

Best Bet: Over 168.5

Through their first eight games of the season, the Aces have scored 746 points (93.3 PPG). It’s the most points by any team in league history through eight games. Through six games of the season, Sky has scored 504 points (84 PPG), which is tied for the third-most points through six games in franchise history. It will be a high scoring game with Copper back in the fold for Sky.

Washington Mystiques at the Connecticut Sun

7:00 p.m. ET, Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut.

Line: Sun (-10)
money line:
Total: 156.5 points

Questionable: None

Discarded: Elena Delle Donne (Break), Alysha Clark (Health and Safety), Betnijah Laney (Knee)

Fantasy needs to know: With Elena Delle Donne (off) and Alysha Clark (ill) tonight, Tianna Hawkins should be your favorite streamer. From a fantasy perspective, both Ariel Atkins and Natasha Cloud are still must-play starting points. The Sun is 5-2 and ranks second in offensive rating (110.3) and defensive rating (92.9). Connecticut will try to bounce back from a loss to Dallas on Thursday night. Jonquel Jones is one of the best fantasy options for the Sun. His 59th career double-double came against Dallas. Jones is one double-double away from becoming the 18th player in league history to reach 60 double-doubles. The following players remain essential: Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones and Jonquel Jones. One player likely to rise into that group is Natisha Hiedeman. His first start of the season came in the absence of Jasmine Thomas, who is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing her ACL. Hiedeman scored a season-high 36 fantasy points in her new role. She is still available in 89% of the leagues. In a matchup between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the Mystics, who have won three of their last four games, will rely heavily on Atkins when they visit the Sun tonight.

best bet: Sun -9.5

In the absence of Delle Donne and Alysha Clark, the Mystics face additional challenges tonight on the road against Sun. Against the spread, Connecticut is 4-2 in its last six games. The sun must cover.

Source: www.espn.com