I’m pointedly avoiding talking about last slate, I know most of us still have a bad taste in our mouths from the postponed game. Sunday brings us a two game early slate and a four game main slate. It should be fun trying to fit in as many elite plays as possible today. Let’s dive into the match-ups!
EARLY SLATE
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Washington Mystic @ Atlanta Dream (PK) – O/U: 164.5
Vegas sees this game as a toss-up. Should be a close and hard fought battle. Centers and forwards struggle big time against the Mystic. Guards have a great time against the Mystic, making this a great matchup for Brittney Sykes, Tiffany Hayes, and Layshia Clarendon.
The Dream are one of the worst teams against both centers and forwards. Elena Delle Donne and Emma Meesseman are in play; However, the upside for Meesseman might be capped by EDD. The Dream can also be attacked using guards, putting, Kristi Tolliver in play. You can also target Ivory Latta and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt.
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Indiana Fever @ Connecticut Sun (-12) – O/U: 167
Centers perform well against the Fever, Jonquel Jones should have a great game. Forwards are average against the Fever; Alyssa Thomas is in play here. As for guards, they perform average against the fever given their usage. Look to Jasmine Thomas here.
Centers have a hard time against the Sun. Candice Dupree is in play since forwards get average usage and tend to score more against the Sun. Guards get average usage but struggle scoring against the Sun, making it had to like any Fever guard. Erica Wheeler might be the choice here.
MAIN SLATE
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Dallas Wings @ Los Angeles Sparks (-12) – O/U: 170
Vegas is predicting a blowout in a high-scoring game here. The Wings allow a lot of scoring and above average usage to centers and forwards, making this a good opportunity for Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike. Guards struggle against the Wings in terms of scoring and usage, however Odyssey Sims shouldn’t have much trouble making value at her price.
The LA Sparks are the second best defensive team in the league. Centers could be the Sparks weakest spot, giving Courtney Paris some consideration at her price. Everyone struggles against the Sparks, but Skylar Diggins-Smith and Glory Johnson have proven to be very capable of performing against them.
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New York Liberty (-2) @ Chicago Sky – O/U: 163
Centers get a high amount of usage against the Liberty and score a lot, putting Stefanie Dolson in play. Forwards get good usage against the Liberty, but tend to be average in scoring. Guards perform well against the Liberty, Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley are in play.
Centers and forwards are good against the Sky, Tina Charles should have a good game here. Kia Vaughn is also in play. On the guard front, Chicago gives up the most points and points per minutes when usage is considered. Shavonte Zellous, Sugar Rodgers, and Epiphany Prince are all in consideration.
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San Antonia Stars @ Phoenix Mercury (-7.5) – O/U: 158
The Stars struggle against centers when points per minutes given usage is taken into consideration, Angel Robinson is in consideration. They also struggle against forwards, making Camille Little a good play. Stars are relatively good against guards, when minutes are considered, however given her high minutes and usage, Diana Taurasi is in play here.
The Mercury make it tough for centers to have much success. While Isabelle Harrison could have a good game, the spot to attack will be at the forward position, making Dearica Hamby and Alex Montgomery good plays. The Phoenix mercury have been giving up a lot of points to guards over their last 5 games. Kayla McBride and Moriah Jefferson are in play.
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Seattle Storm @ Minnesota Lynx (-12) – O/U: 165
The Storm struggle against centers, making Sylvia Fowles a great play. Maya Moore and Rebecca Brunson are also in play since the Storm are average against forwards. Guards also perform average against the Storm, so Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen are in play again.
The Lynx are the best defensive team in the league. Centers and Forwards have the worst usage and points against them. If you want to attack them it will be through the guards. Look to Jewell Loyd and Sue Bird to have great games here.
TOP PICKS (Main Slate ONLY)
Guards:
Elite: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird
Value: Odyssey Sims, Shavonte Zellous, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen
Forwards:
Elite: Sylvia Fowles, Jonquel Jones, Tina Charles, Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Stefanie Dolson
Value: Courtney Paris, Angel Robinson, Camille Little, Dearica Hamby, Kia Vaughn