Bust out those jerseys and kicks, get your tickets, and get down to the arenas. The 2022 WNBA season starts Friday night. The season-opening quartet of games brings back WNBA betting lines as well.
With eight teams in action on May 6, 2022, there are plenty of options for bettors. It’s going to be crucial to watch for lineups today and do your homework, as the beginning of each season can be unpredictable. The comforting thought in that, though, is that legal sportsbooks in Canada and the United States are facing the same uncertainties.
WNBA betting lines for Friday, May 6, 2022
The odds available this morning include all the markets you’d expect; moneylines, spreads, and totals. Those are available not only for full games but the first quarters and first halves as well. As the games begin, more live betting options will hit the court as well.
While the variety and volume of those markets will vary from one sportsbook to the next, legal and safe sports betting apps across the board will nearly all feature the standard odds. We’ll take a look at those on a game-by-game basis and give you all the pertinent information like how to watch, the morning lines, and some handicapping intel.
Indiana Fever at Washington Mystics, 7 p.m. EDT
A healthy Elena Delle Donne has everyone around the Mystics excited, including some bettors. BetMGM has shared that Washington is its biggest 2022 title liability as the season opens.
On the other side of this game is a roster full of not only new faces but rookies. The Fever count five rookies on their opening-night roster, as a matter of fact. For those reasons, the Mystics sit between -6 at WynnBet and -7.5 on DraftKings for this one.
Totals range from 161.5 (BetMGM, PointsBet, WynnBet) to 164 at DraftKings. On the moneyline, WynnBet offers the most forgiving action on Washington at -270 while the most generous line on an Indiana upset is +235 at both Bally Bet and FanDuel.
Bettors can watch this game live on Facebook or with a WNBA League Pass subscription.
Los Angeles Sparks at Chicago Sky, 8 p.m. EDT
The defending champions open up their 2022 season with a few new faces, like Julie Allemand and Emma Meesseeman. The Sparks come after an even-more active offseason, in which they added players like Liz Cambage and Jordin Canada.
Sky guard Allie Quigley will not play tonight. Chicago will also be without 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, who is still finishing up her season in Spain. Thus, bettors should expect to see Allemand and Dana Evans take the bulk of the minutes at the two tonight.
Regardless, North American sportsbooks still like the Sky in this one. Bally Bet and DraftKings have them -155 on the moneyline. FanDuel is offering +138 on Los Angeles on its moneyline.
There’s a consensus spread for this one at 3.5 and a consensus total at 155.5. Fans can watch this game on NBA TV.
Las Vegas Aces at Phoenix Mercury, 10 p.m. EDT
The Mercury’s official sports betting partner, Bally Bet, is live in Arizona just in time for the team’s season opener. Fans will get to see how the Mercury roster adjusts to the new additions of Tina Charles and Diamond DeShields in the absence of Brittney Griner.
On Vegas’ side, sportsbooks’ MVP favorite A’ja Wilson returns now joined by players like rookie Kierstan Bell and veteran Sydney Colson. Perhaps the biggest offseason change here was on the sidelines, though, with the Aces bringing in Becky Hammon as head coach.
Books have again come to a consensus of 3.5 points on the spread for this one, with Las Vegas as the favorite. Totals are varying slightly, though, between 172.5 and 173. On the moneylines, the Aces sit -155 (Bally Bet, DraftKings) while Phoenix starts at +135 on Bally Bet and BetMGM.
This game will also be on NBA TV.
Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm, 10 p.m. EDT
This is the beginning of the end for Seattle guard Sue Bird, who has announced this will be her final WNBA season. Added to the roster to help her try to make it a memorable one is Gabby Williams plus the incomparable Breanna Stewart is back as well.
This will also be the final season for Minnesota legend Sylvia Fowles. Coming into complement her are players like Angel McCoughtry and Aerial Powers. Sportsbooks don’t think that will be enough tonight, though.
Seattle comes in as the heaviest favorite of the day, with spreads varying from 6.5 to 7.5 points. There’s a similar variance in the totals for this one as the variety goes from 164 to 165.5 points.
BetMGM has the best moneyline for Storm bettors at -275. On the flip side, Bally Bet is offering +265 on the Lynx. Bettors can catch this one on Amazon Prime or Twitter.
If you’re uncertain of how to bet on these games, we have a handy guide for just WNBA bettors in 2022. The best way to win tonight? Bet responsibly.
