This article originally appears on WNBA.com
The playoff push is officially here! We’re just over a month away from the start of the postseason, and the competition is as hot as ever. Minnesota continues to hold firmly onto the top spot, while the Aces and Valkyries battle back and forth for the second seed. Indiana’s offense has been red-hot, even after a loss to Dallas, making the possibility of a shake-up at the top very real.
Let’s go over the WNBA odds for Friday and Saturday’s games and I’ll provide my best bets on DraftKings Sportsbook!
Friday, August 21
Minnesota Lynx at Washington Mystics (7:30 p.m. ET) — MIN -2.5, O/U 166.5
Golden State Valkyries at Chicago Sky (7:30 p.m. ET) — GS -6.5, O/U 163.5
Portland Fire at Toronto Tempo (10:00 p.m. ET) — TOR -2.5, O/U 182.5
Best Bets
Olivia Miles 20+ Points (+105)
*Note: Olivia Miles (ankle) is probably for Friday’s game against the Mystics
The engine running the current favorite to win the Finals, the Minnesota Lynx, continues to impress throughout her rookie season. In just over three months in the league, Miles is averaging 19.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists while displaying a court IQ that rivals some current veterans. The 23-year-old’s ability to captain the ship of a talented offense right out of the gate, while also contributing defensively on the boards and with steals, makes her an easy front-runner for Rookie of the Year. She’s also scored 20+ points in four of her last five games, which is exactly why I’m backing her to do it again on Friday.
Kamilla Cardoso 9+ Rebounds (-117)
Cardoso has been a double-double machine lately, notching three double-doubles in her last four games, including back-to-back performances in her last two. The Sky center has been getting plenty of buckets as well, averaging 17.6 PPG over her last five. However, there’s a reason I’m not riding with her to record another double-double tonight. Simply put, the Valkyries’ defense is suffocating, allowing just 76.7 points per game to opponents (1st) with a 101.2 defensive rating. Golden State is notoriously defensive-minded but isn’t dominant on the glass, sitting 11th in the league in RPG. That’s where Cardoso can go off, and I’m liking the play here for her to notch 9+ boards.
Saturday, August 22
Indiana Fever at New York Liberty (7:00 p.m. ET) — IND -1.5, O/U 187.5
Connecticut Sun at Los Angeles Spark (9:00 p.m. ET) — LA -3.5, O/U 169.5
Atlanta Dream at Pheonix Mercury (10:00 p.m. ET) — ATL -4.5, O/U 176.5
Best Bets
IND -1.5 (-110)
There’s no denying the raw, incredible offensive talent Indiana has. After a slower start to the season, the Fever have shot up to the top of the offensive rankings, leading the league in points per game (96.1) and field goal percentage (48.6%). Kelsey Mitchell continues to lead the charge, averaging 27.4 points per game over her last five, while Caitlin Clark’s role as the floor general keeps the engine going.
New York has plenty of talent as well, averaging 90.2 points per game as a unit, but defensively, the Liberty have slipped a bit, allowing the seventh-most points per game to opponents. I’m expecting a close contest, but I feel the Fever will bounce back with a win after being humbled by Dallas.
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