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 Wednesday’s list:
Las Vegas Aces at Dallas Wings
1:00 p.m. ET, College Park Center, Arlington
Line: Aces (-8.5)
money line: Aces (-420), Wings (+320)
Total: 175 points
BPI Earning %: Aces (57.3%)
Discarded: Satou Sabally (knee), Marina Mabrey (health and safety protocols)
Fantasy needs to know: Kelsey Plum and the Aces will take on Arike Ogunbowale and the Wings in Arlington for an early game. Las Vegas ranks first in PPG (90.8) and RPG (37.1) and third in defensive rating (96.0). The Wings rank third in offensive rating (102.4) and eighth in defensive rating (102.3). Dallas (11th) plays at a slower pace while the Aces (1st) play faster than any other WNBA team. Las Vegas is 9-1 and 8-0 in the Western Conference, while the Wings are 4-6 and 3-4. This is the second time these teams meet this year. The Aces won their last meeting 84-78 on June 5. Plum led Las Vegas with 32 points.
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As for the Aces, Plum, A’ja Wilson, Dearica Hamby and Chelsea Gray should all be deployed in fantasy lineups. Jackie Young is currently suffering from an ankle injury, but reports suggest that he will be back in a week or two. Young’s absence has opened the door for Theresa Plaisance to see additional minutes. In the last two games he has averaged 30 minutes and 16 fantasy points per game. Plaisance is available in 95% of leagues. If Young is out, Plaisance is a streaming option for those in deeper leagues.
Ogunbowale leads the Wings with 28.7 fantasy points per game. However, his ejection from Sunday’s game against the Storm for kicking the ball into the stands late in the first half left the Fantasy coaches in a bind. Satou Sabally and Allisha Gray are also essential. Marina Mabrey is currently in the league’s health and safety protocols, but she is a must if she is available. She has averaged 24.9 fantasy points per game this season. Kayla Thornton, who is available in 76% of the leagues, is on the streaming radar because of her rebounding ability. Three of her last four games have seen her score 18 or more fantasy points.
Best bet: Aces -8.5. Las Vegas is an offensive juggernaut that the Wings will have trouble curbing. Aces should be able to cover. –Eric Moody
Phoenix Mercury in Indiana Fever
7:00 p.m. ET, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Line: Fever (-1)
money line: Mercury (-105), Fever (-115)
Total: 168.5 points
BPI Earning %: Mercury (59%)
Discarded: Sophie Cunningham (elbow)
Fantasy needs to know: On Tuesday night, the Washington Mystics snapped the Mercury’s three-game winning streak. On the second night of a rare WNBA in a row, Phoenix visits Indiana to play the Fever. Skylar Diggins-Smith, Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi, Brianna Turner and Diamond DeShields are must-have fantasy options for Phoenix. On the season, Mercury ranks seventh in offensive rating (100.4) and ninth in defensive rating (105.2). The Fever snapped their five-game road losing streak against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday thanks to NaLyssa Smith’s career-high 21 points, with 14 rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks. Indiana ranks 10th in offensive rating (96.7) and 11th in defensive rating (106.1).
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If you’re looking for a Mercury streamer, don’t overlook Shey Peddy, who’s available in 91.6% of leagues. He has averaged 19.7 fantasy points per game over the last four games. Queen Egbo, Kelsey Mitchell, Victoria Vivians and Smith should all be included in the fantasy lineups for The Fever. Emily Engstler, who is available in 62.6% of the leagues, has only averaged 14 MPG in the last two due to a rib injury. She is worth mentioning that she exceeded 20 minutes in her previous six matches. Engstler averaged 17 fantasy points per game during that stretch, so if she needs a broadcaster, she should consider her.
Best bet: Mercury +1. The Fever have the youngest roster in the league. Taurasi, Diggins-Smith and Charles are all experienced players for Mercury, and that will be the difference in this matchup. Phoenix should bounce back from a humiliating loss and cover the spread. — Grumpy
Atlanta Dream in Connecticut Sun
7:00 p.m. ET, Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut.
Line: Sun (-10)
money line: Sleep (+360), Sun (-475)
Total: 157 points
BPI Earning %: Sun (80.1%)
Questionable: Erica Wheeler (foot)
Fantasy needs to know: Atlanta will try to end its three-game road streak against Connecticut. For The Sun, Alyssa Thomas (32.0), Jonquel Jones (31.4) and DeWanna Bonner (27.4) are averaging 27 or more fantasy points per game. While rookie Rhyne Howard (30.1 fantasy points per game) and Cheyenne Parker (25.3 fantasy points per game) are the top fantasy options for the Dream. This is the first meeting between the two teams this season. The Sun ranks second in the league with an offensive rating of 108.3 and fifth with a defensive rating of 96.7. Meanwhile, The Dream ranks last in the league at 75.2 points per game, but ranks first in defensive rating (91.1).
Thomas, Jones, Bonner, Brionna Jones and Courtney Williams are your top fantasy options for the Sun. Because Jasmine Thomas was out for the season with a torn ACL, Natisha Hiedeman and DiJonai Carrington, who are available at a high percentage of leagues, they are on the broadcast radar. Howard and Parker are mandatory starters, but Erica Wheeler’s foot injury has created a broadcast opportunity for Aari McDonald, who is available in 79% of leagues. He has averaged 20.6 fantasy points per game in the last three games.
Best Bet: Sun -10. Atlanta has a solid defense, but the Sun’s playmakers will give them a challenge. Connecticut ranks third in offensive rebounds per game, which lines up well with its 46.4% field goal percentage, which is second in the league. The Sun will cover. — Grumpy
Source: www.espn.com