Action Network contributor and WNBA betting expert Dano Mataya of Her Hoop Stats joined host Maria Marino on the BUCKETS Podcast on Friday to break down the WNBA betting slate, including best bets from two of tonight's three-game slate.
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Lynx vs. Liberty Odds
| Lynx Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14.5 -110 | 168.5 -110 / -110 | +820 |
| Liberty Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14.5 -110 | 168.5 -110 / -110 | -1600 |
Dano Mataya: The Liberty are a fantastic team; everyone knows that. The talent is there. There are two angles that are important for this play tonight.
First of all, Napheesa Collier is out tonight. She's started every game this season, and has been Minnesota's highest usage player. She's in MVP conversations, despite where Minnesota is in the standings. What she's been able to do has been nothing short of amazing.
Not having her changes the entire outlook for this team. They have never started a game without her. They will have to depend on rookies like Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhasz, who have really leaned on Collier this season. It's going to be very difficult for the Lynx to adjust, in my opinion.
The second big factor is that the Liberty will play this game after playing Tuesday and Thursday night. They play this game Friday night before playing a 1 p.m. local start in L.A. I really think rest is going to be huge tonight.
In any other situation, I'd take the Liberty team to cover 14 points against a Minnesota team without Napheesa Collier. However, with the schedule coming up, I think we're going to see a lot of bench minutes in the second half. I think if everything goes the way it should, the Liberty should be able to cruise to a double-digit first half lead.
The spread is 8.5, so I'm comfortable laying those points. They should be up by more than 10. They were up by 15 against the Dream, and it could have been more had they been a little more crisp on offense. The defense is what I love from the Liberty lately.
Pick: Liberty 1st Half -8.5 |
Mystics vs. Wings Odds
| Mystics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -114 | 165.5 -106 / -114 | +360 |
| Wings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -106 | 165.5 -106 / -114 | -500 |
Dano Mataya: With these injuries that the Mystics have, there are a few angles to look at here. There is one that breaks out as an obvious winner to me, and I'm surprised the line hasn't moved much. I believe it's only moved half a point. I love the over here at 165.5.
We're talking about a Wings team that definitely scores more at home and loves to push the ball. With these injuries, the Mystics are putting up a ton of points on their own. Their pace has increased, and their overs have hit in seven of their last nine games.
All of this has happened without Shakira Austin and Elena Delle Donne, and Ariel Atkins got hurt two games into that nine-game stretch. What we're seeing from the Mystics is a lot of Brittney Sykes, who has been fantastic, and Natasha Cloud. Both of those players have been averaging over 20 points per game.
We know what Dallas can do with its offensive firepower, especially at home. The over is definitely my play here.
Pick: Over 165.5 |
