WNBA betting trends, odds and predictions for Thursday, September 14th, 2017 from various handicappers and websites
WNBA Cheat Sheet - Semifinals
VegasInsider.com
The WNBA semifinals will begin with Game 1’s on Tuesday with four teams looking to advance in the postseason. These series will be best-of-five matchups and so will the WNBA Finals.
Game 2’s will take place on Thursday before the clubs travel and play Game 3’s on Sunday.
If necessary, Game 4 and 5’s will take place the following week on Tuesday Sept. 19 and Thursday Sept. 21. ESPN2 will provide national coverage of the matchups.
Minnesota vs. Washington
Washington (20-16) defeated Dallas 86-76 in the first round as a 6 ½-point home favorite last Wednesday.
The Mystics followed up that victory with an impressive 82-68 win at New York this past Sunday as a six-point road underdog. Washington cashed money-line tickets at plus-210 (Bet $100 to win $210).
Including those results, Washington has gone 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in its last five playoff contests.
The ‘under’ cashed in both of their first two playoff games this year.
The Mystics are 11-7 at home this season and 8-10 on the road, which includes the playoff results.
Against the Western Conference, Washington went 7-12 SU and 6-13 ATS.
Minnesota (27-7) finished the regular season with the best record in the WNBA and that record wasn’t surprising to the oddsmakers, who had the club favored in all but one of their games.
The Lynx went 15-2 SU and 8-9 ATS at home. The Lynx were a double-digit favorite 12 times and they went 5-7 ATS in those spots.
On the road, Minnesota was 12-5 SU and 10-7 ATS. It did struggle as a visitor down the stretch, going 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS while the ‘under’ was 5-1.
Minnesota went 14-4 SU and 10-8 ATS versus the Eastern Conference this season and three of the losses took place on the road.
Minnesota and Washington met three times in the regular season and the Lynx won and covered all of the games rather easily. All of the results were decided by double digits (14, 17, 25) between the pair.
The ‘over’ went 2-1 and the Lynx scored 98, 93 and 86 points.
Since the 2013 playoffs, Minnesota has gone 21-8 in the postseason and it’s had a solid rate of covering with a 16-11-2 record versus the spread.
Los Angeles vs. Phoenix
Phoenix (20-16) started the postseason with a pair of single-elimination victories. The Mercury stifled Seattle 79-69 last Wednesday before capturing an 88-83 win over Connecticut.
Including those wins, the Mercury have won and covered their last five games entering this series.
Total bettors should note that the ‘under’ has gone 5-1 in the last six games for Phoenix.
The Mercury have gone 10-8 SU and 11-7 ATS on the road this season. At home, Phoenix has posted very similar numbers – 10-8 SU, 8-10 ATS.
Los Angeles (26-8 ) was a beast at the Staples Center during the regular season, going 17-1 and the club helped bettors with a 12-6 record (67%) versus the number as well. The one loss came by two points.
Clubs had trouble scoring at L.A. this season (70.2 PPG) and total bettors saw the ‘under’ go 14-4 in its home games.
As visitors, the Sparks showed some flaws as they went 10-7 both SU and ATS. They did close the season with three straight wins on the road and the offense posted 95, 115 and 82 points during that stretch.
The Sparks won and covered all three encounters against the Mercury this season and two of the wins came on the road. In the lone home meeting, Los Angeles blasted Phoenix 90-59 as a 7 ½-point favorite. The ‘under’ went 2-1.
Including those results, Los Angeles is 7-3 SU and 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 head-to-head meetings against Phoenix.
During last year’s championship run, Los Angeles went 6-3 both SU and ATS. Future bettors should note that the WNBA hasn’t had a repeat champion since 2002 when the Sparks captured back-to-back titles.
WNBA Playoffs Predictions: Washington at Minnesota
By Nick Lagouretos
Bangthebook.com
In the first semifinal of the 2017 WNBA Playoffs, the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx (27-7) are hosting the sixth-seeded Washington Mystics (20-16), in the first game of a best of five series that will determine who will advance to the WNBA Finals to face the winner of the Los Angeles Sparks-Phoenix Mercury matchup.
Minnesota Lynx finished the regular season with a league-best 27-7 record. They have three consecutive wins and in their last game they won at home against tonight’s opponent Washington with an 86-72 score. Sylvia Fowles leads the team in scoring with 18.9 ppg, adding team highs both in rebounds, with 10.4 per game, and in blocks with 2 per game. She is followed by Maya Moore with 17.3 ppg, adding 5 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Washington Mystics finished the regular season with an 18-16 record and were placed in the 6th place of the league. They have back-to-back wins and in the playoffs they eliminated Dallas in the first round and New York on the road in the quarterfinals with an 82-68 score. Kristi Toliver leads the team in scoring with 24 ppg, followed by Elena Delle Donne with 21.5 ppg and 10.5 rebounds per game.
This will be the fourth meeting between those two teams this season, with Minnesota having won all three previous matches. Minnesota are 15-2 at home, while Washington are 8-10 on the road. Minnesota are better both offensively, scoring a third-best 85.4 ppg to Washington’s 81.7, and defensively, allowing a league-best 74.2 ppg to Washington’s 81. They have better percentages both in field goals, shooting with a second-best of 47.8% to Washington’s 41.6% (third-worse), and in 3-pointers, shooting with a second-best 37% to Washington’s 31.7% (third-worse). Lynx are also better in assists, with a second-best 20.6 to Mystics’ 16.5 (second-worse), while Mystics are better in rebounding, grabbing a third-best 36.3 to Lynx’s 35.2, and are better in turnovers committed, with a league-best 12 to Lynx’s 14.3. This will be the first postseason game of the best team in the league against a team that comes from a surprise victory in the quarterfinals. Expect Minnesota to win by more than 10 points tonight.
Prediction: Minnesota Lynx -10.5
WNBA Playoffs Predictions: Phoenix at Los Angeles
By Nick Lagouretos
Bangthebook.com
In the second semifinal of the 2017 WNBA Playoffs, the second-seeded and defending champions Los Angeles Sparks (26-8 ) are hosting the fifth-seeded Phoenix Mercury (20-16), in the first game of a best of five series that will determine who will advance to the WNBA Finals to face the winner of the Minnesota-Washington matchup.
Los Angeles Sparks finished the regular season with a 26-8 record and were placed second in the league. They have seven consecutive wins and in their last game they won at home against Connecticut with an 81-70 score. Nneka Ogwumike leads the team in scoring with 18.8 ppg, adding 7.7 rebounds per game. She is followed by Candace Parker with 16.9 ppg, adding a team high 8.4 rebounds per game and 4.3 assists.
Phoenix Mercury finished the regular season with an 18-16 record and were placed 5th in the league. They have five consecutive wins and in the playoffs they eliminated Seattle in the first round with a 79-69 score and Connecticut on the road in the quarterfinals with an 88-83 score. Brittney Griner leads the team in scoring with 24.5 ppg, adding team highs both in rebounding with 10 per game and in blocks with 2 per game. Diana Taurasi follows with 18.5 ppg, while Leilani Mitchell adds 14.5 ppg and a team high 4 assists per game.
This will be the fourth meeting between those two teams this season, with Los Angeles having won all three previous matches. Los Angeles are 16-1 at home, while Phoenix are 10-8 on the road. Los Angeles are better both offensively, scoring 83.5 ppg to Phoenix’s 81.9, and defensively, allowing a second-best 75.2 ppg to Phoenix’s 81.9. They also have better percentages both in field goals, shooting with a league-best 48% to Phoenix’s 44%, and in 3-pointers, shooting with 34.2% to Phoenix’s 33.9%. They are also better in assists made, with 18.5 to Phoenix’s 17.7, and they commit less turnovers per game, with 13.2 to Phoenix’s 13.9. Mercury are only better in rebounding, grabbing 32.1 to Sparks’ 31.3 (third-worse). Sparks have been resting so far and they are the absolute favorite for the win, but expect a close game against the hot Mercury, so pick Phoenix in this one.
Prediction: Phoenix Mercury +9
WASHINGTON (20 - 17) at MINNESOTA (28 - 7) - 9/14/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 311-370 ATS (-96.0 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 1-13 ATS (-13.3 Units) as an underdog this season.
WASHINGTON is 48-72 ATS (-31.2 Units) in road games in August or September games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) against Western conference opponents this season.
WASHINGTON is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in non-conference games this season.
WASHINGTON is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
WASHINGTON is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games in August or September games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in the conference finals over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 15-8 ATS (+6.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.
MINNESOTA is 16-30 ATS (-17.0 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-4 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 6-3 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX (20 - 17) at LOS ANGELES (27 - 8 ) - 9/14/2017, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 22-41 ATS (-23.1 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1997.
PHOENIX is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in the conference finals over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) as a favorite this season.
LOS ANGELES is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
LOS ANGELES is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in August or September games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) after a division game this season.
LOS ANGELES is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders this season.
LOS ANGELES is 12-5 ATS (+6.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
LOS ANGELES is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
LOS ANGELES is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LOS ANGELES is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game this season.
LOS ANGELES is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.
PHOENIX is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games after a division game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 8-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 8-3 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON vs. MINNESOTA
Washington is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
PHOENIX vs. LOS ANGELES
Phoenix is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
StatFox Super Situations
WASHINGTON at MINNESOTA
Play Under - Home teams where the total is greater than or equal to 140 in a game involving 2 up-tempo teams (>=62 shots/game), after a game where a team made 55% of their shots or better 57-25 since 1997. ( 69.5% | 29.5 units ) 9-4 this year. ( 69.2% | 4.6 units )
WASHINGTON at MINNESOTA
Play On - Favorites vs. the money line (MINNESOTA) after a game where they covered the spread, top level team, winning 75% or more of their games, after 15 or more games 199-47 since 1997. ( 80.9% | 0.0 units ) 8-4 this year. ( 66.7% | 0.0 units )
PHOENIX at LOS ANGELES
Play Under - Road teams where the first half total is greater than 65.5 after having covered 5 or 6 of their last 7 against the spread, tired team - playing their 3rd road game in 5 days 27-7 since 1997. ( 79.4% | 19.3 units )