We have a loaded four-game slate scheduled in the WNBA this Sunday. So, it seems rather fitting, our betting experts have locked in four best bets for today's matchups; one for each game. They have locked in a trio of over/under predictions for Sun-Dream, Storm-Fever, and Sky-Mercury. Plus, a player prop pick for Sparks-Aces.
Read below for our WNBA best bets for Sunday, August 18.
WNBA Best Bets for Sunday, August 18
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 6 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our WNBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Michael Arinze's Sun vs. Dream Best Bet
Connecticut scored a season-high 109 points against Dallas its last time out, and it’s hard not to think that the arrival of Marina Mabrey via trade likely played a role. Mabrey gives Connecticut something it desperately needs — perimeter shooting.
The Sun ranks 10th in 3-point field goals at 5.5 per game, but they knocked down 11 against the Wings, with Mabrey accounting for three and finishing with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Perhaps even more importantly, we saw the Sun play with tempo, racking up 85 possessions in the game.
Connecticut plays at the slowest pace in the league, averaging just 77.3 possessions, and in the two previous meetings this season against Dallas, that number was even lower. With the second-best record in the league at 19-6, there’s no question that Connecticut is a legitimate title contender. But, with Mabrey now in the mix, we may continue to see the Sun flex more of their offensive muscle.
As a result, I think it’s fair to expect an uptick in scoring for the Sun moving forward.
Connecticut will wrap up its road trip in Atlanta against the Dream on Sunday afternoon. The total opened at 155.5 and now sits anywhere from 154.5 to 156 in the market. Connecticut’s average total in games this season is 157.5.
Thus, we’re practically getting a discount on the over at the current price, even with a new-look team that’s given us our first glimpse of a different philosophy on offense.
Pick: Over 154.5 (-110)
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Michael Fiddle's Storm vs. Fever Best Bet
I am currently riding Indiana Fever overs whenever I can grab the opening line. The market cannot open the over/under high enough recently compared to the pace of play.
This is a mixture between a trends bet and a line movement handicap, because I have been noticing a trend in the line movement, and playing into that again.
The Seattle Storm have plenty of offensive firepower themselves, so I'll gladly take the over here.
Pick: Over 169.5 (-110)
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Joe Dellera's Sparks vs. Aces Best Bet
By Joe Dellera
The Aces and Sparks are each playing in the second game of a back to back on Sunday. One player I’m targeting is Kelsey Plum.
Plum has played well this season and is averaging 18.2 points per game while exceeding this 16.5 line in 64% of games. She’s been even better at home though averaging 19.4 with a 71% hit rate. We are getting this line as a bit of a buy-low opportunity after she just had 13 points yesterday against the Liberty.
From a matchup perspective, Plum has crushed this line against the Sparks. She's scored 21, 24, and 17 in three matchups against them this season. The Sparks play at about a league average pace, but they have the third-worst defense in the WNBA with a 106.3 defensive rating.
I’ll grab Plum to exceed 16.5 points.
Pick: Kelsey Plum Over 16.5 Points (-128)
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Michael Fiddle's Sky vs. Mercury Best Bet
This is the second time in three games the Sky and Mercury are facing off, and it is also the second leg of a road back to back set for the Chicago Sky.
After a comeback win late in the fourth quarter against the LA Sparks, the Sky now travel to Phoenix to take on a huge talent upgrade and a team that beat them by 20 points last week.
Usually, when teams play each other in short order, the second game results in less scoring because of the awareness of player tendencies (think as a playoff series goes along).
Here, the opening line is 167, that number is already beginning to fall, and the previous game ended at 140! I expect this to close around 165 or lower.
Pick: Under 167 (-110)
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