On opening night for the 2022 regular season, the favorites easily covered the spread in three of four instances on the morning WNBA odds. While Saturday’s schedule contains half as many games, it also boasts some clear favorites on the spread.
The day’s games also feature the other four teams in the league making their season debuts. That does mean a relative lack of data to use to handicap the games but bettors can take what they know about the players and make decisions using that.
WNBA odds for Connecticut Sun at New York Liberty
The Liberty make their season debut with a few new faces like head coach Sandy Brondello and versatile big Stef Dolson. A big part of the hype around this team, however, is a more familiar trio.
New York finally has its core of Natasha Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, and Betnijah Laney all healthy to start a season. Meanwhile, on the other side of this contest, Connecticut has brought back guard Courtney Williams, a key component in its 2020 WNBA Finals run.
When healthy last season, each of the aforementioned Liberty trio averaged scoring in double figures. Both Ionescu and Laney also averaged over five assists per game while Howard grabbed over seven rebounds per game. Again, when on the court.
With star power like 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones and Alyssa Thomas back in the fold for the Sun, North American sportsbooks have Connecticut as a 6- to 6.5-point road favorite Saturday. The only road favorite last night was the Las Vegas Aces, who covered their 3.5-point spread quite easily.
Totals for this game are varying between 157.5 and 158. Williams’ return boosts what was already a stout defensive team without her. At the same time, Brondello’s style should be more conducive to letting the Liberty get out and run if they get turnovers of their own.
If the Sun control the flow and force this into a half-court slog, the Under is the play but their covering is no sure thing. Should New York turn this game into a track meet, the score could blow by 158 points en route to a Liberty upset.
Bettors just need to decide which of those outcomes they foresee. Either way, they can watch the season debuts for both of these teams on ESPN at 6 p.m. EDT.
Atlanta Dream at Dallas Wings, 8 p.m. EDT
Top overall draft pick Rhyne Howard should make her WNBA debut in this one as Teaira McCowan makes her first appearance in a Wings uniform. For Dallas, the storyline for this season is the continuing coming-of-age of a young nucleus.
Continuing that ascent with a victory in their home opener Saturday will require them to get a strong effort from MVP candidate Arike Ogunbowale. Sportsbooks like them to do exactly that. McCowan could be the dynamic rim defender the Wings have lacked over the past two seasons.
If Dallas is able to get her to reach her offensive potential as well, she could be one of the best moves of the offseason. For Atlanta, the roster appears about a season behind the Wings. Young talent is accumulating; now, it’s a matter of putting it together.
The opening lines Saturday have the Wings a 6.5- to 7-point favorite. The total for this one opens at a consensus 160.5. On Friday night, the Over went 3-1. Bettors should note that Dallas will be without Satou Sabally on Saturday, who is still playing overseas.
CBS Sports Network will carry coverage of this affair. Should Ogunbowale get loose, the WNBA season could see another tally for the Over in this one.
