Three games will be taking place across Saturday’s WNBA slate.
Starting at 3:00 p.m. ET, the Golden State Valkyries will host the Las Vegas Aces in their first matchup of the season. Then, at 8:00 p.m. ET, the Indiana Fever will face the Chicago Sky, although Caitlin Clark is set to miss her fourth consecutive game. Finally, the Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm will play for the third time this season, with this matchup starting at 10:00 p.m. ET.
With some high-profile matchups on the table, here are my favorite WNBA bets on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Jewell Loyd 2+ Made Three-Pointers (-170)
There has been some line movement, so this is not as much of a value play as when the odds initially dropped, but I like the -170 odds of Jewell Loyd to connect on 2+ made three-pointers today. The six-time All-Star is shooting 41.7% from beyond the three-point arc this season on 6.0 perimeter shots per game. Loyd is averaging 2.5 made perimeter shots per game and has connected on 2+ deep shots in four of the six games she has played this season. She has made as many as six three-pointers in a game already this season.
The Aces will face the Golden State Valkyries today, who have struggled to guard the perimeter this season. Opponents are shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc against the Valkyries, the third-worst rate in the league, and they are one of only two teams to allow an average of over 10 perimeter makes per game against them.
Loyd is averaging just 10.2 points per game this season, which marks a career-low. She is filling a different role on this Aces team compared to her previous 10 seasons in Seattle. But the two-time champion is settling in nicely as one of the primary floor spacers and is still clocking 29.3 minutes per game. Look for her to produce alongside her new teammates and for Loyd to knock down a pair of three-pointers again tonight.
Chicago Sky Moneyline (+130)
The Indiana Fever will face the Chicago Sky for the second time already this season. Indiana produced a convincing 93-58 win in the season opener, but the outlook changes without Caitlin Clark on the floor. Chicago had a tough start to the season, losing its opening four games, but has settled in since. It enters this matchup following back-to-back victories over the Dallas Wings and has covered the spread in three consecutive games.
The Fever lost back-to-back games following Clark’s injury, but rebounded with a victory over the Washington Mystics in the previous matchup. While Indiana should be thrilled about getting back in the win column, there are still concerns that should not be ignored. Washington shot just 1-for-10 from the three-point arc and outrebounded the Fever 33-19. The Sky are the best rebounding team in the WNBA, and this will be especially problematic in tonight’s matchup. In addition, the Fever’s offensive production has dropped from 85.3 points per game with Clark to 81.7 per game without her.
Chicago has some momentum for the first time this season and will be looking to capitalize on this rivalry matchup without Clark in the lineup. In addition, Sophie Cunningham suffered an ankle injury in the previous game and is set to miss tonight. Cunningham entered the season with some lingering ankle issues and was in significant pain because of the injury in the previous game. I am backing the healthier and more motivated team to take care of business at home tonight and for the Sky to win their third straight game.
Seattle Storm at Phoenix Mercury Under 156 (-112)
The Phoenix Mercury rank third in the WNBA in opponent points per game, while the Seattle Storm are fourth in this category. The Mercury also rank third in defensive rating, and the Storm play at the third-slowest pace in the league. Both of these teams are capable of fully shutting down opponents’ offenses, so look for this to be put on full display tonight.
The Seattle Storm average 79.3 points per game, the fifth-worst rate in the league, and have been held below 80 points in five of the eight games. The Mercury average just 78.8 points per game, which is the fourth-worst rate. This will be the third matchup between these two teams already this season. In the first matchup, the Mercury produced a convincing 81-59 victory (140 total points), and Seattle got back with a 77-70 victory (147 total points) in the second matchup.
Although 156 is a low total by WNBA standards, these teams have stayed below this number in both matchups thus far, so expect the same tonight. Count on both teams leaning on their defense for success and for points to be hard to come by all around in this matchup.
