The WNBA Playoffs continue to provide heart-stopping action, even for those who don’t have money on the line.
For those who do like to wager on the games, the high leverage hoops we’ve been gifted with have a whole new level of exhilaration. Each semifinal series continues tonight, so let’s take a look at how Canadian and US-regulated sportsbooks have adjusted (or haven’t) from Tuesday’s games.
No. 6 Chicago Sky at No. 1 Connecticut Sun (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Betting aside, can we all just appreciate what the basketball gods gave us in game one of this series? Double overtime, records being broken, legendary performances.
We can only hope that game two is anywhere close to that good. If it is, the Sky may continue their playoff success. Chicago has won (and covered the spread) in all three of its playoff games thanks to an added intensity on defense and better shot selection.
At BetRivers Sportsbook, the Sun are still favored by 7.5 points, which is the same line that Tuesday’s game closed at. Curt Miller should make some adjustments, but this is not the same .500 Sky team from the regular season.
| Sportsbook | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Chicago +7 -115 Connecticut -7 -105 | Over 155.5 -115 Under 155.5 -105 | Chicago +260 Connecticut -350 |
| BetRivers/PlaySugarHouse Sportsbook | Chicago +6.5 -112 Connecticut -6.5 -112 | Over 155.5 -110 Under 155.5 -113 | Chicago +210 Connecticut -265 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Chicago +7.5 -115 Connecticut -7.5 -115 | Over 155.5 -115 Under 155.5 -115 | Chicago +270 Connecticut -350 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Chicago +7 -110 Connecticut -7 -110 | Over 154.5 -120 Under 154.5 +100 | Chicago +250 Connecticut -320 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Chicago +7.5 -115 Connecticut -7.5 -105 | Over 155.5 -106 Under 155.5 -114 | Chicago +250 Connecticut -325 |
| GambetDC | Chicago +7.5 -130 Connecticut -7.5 -120 | Over 155.5 -120 Under 155.5 -130 | Chicago +230 Connecticut -345 |
| PointsBet Sportsbook | Chicago +7.5 -115 Connecticut -7.5 -105 | Over 155.5 -110 Under 155.5 -110 | Chicago +250 Connecticut -320 |
| Proline Ontario | Chicago +7.5 -125 Connecticut -7.5 -115 | Over 155.5 -111 Under 155.5 -132 | Chicago +225 Connecticut -370 |
| WynnBet Sportsbook | Chicago +7.5 -115 Connecticut -7.5 -105 | Over 155.5 -110 Under 155.5 -110 | Chicago +250 Connecticut -320 |
The one line that has moved is the over/under, which is up to 156.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook. Tuesday’s game easily cleared this in regulation, which ended 84-84, but it may be time for some “market correction.”
Second legs of back-to-backs in the regular season regularly went under the sportsbook totals, and in a way, this is no different than a back-to-back. Add in the ten extra minutes of basketball, and the pace could slow down as players conserve energy.
No. 5 Phoenix Mercury at No. 2 Las Vegas Aces (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
In the nightcap, we’ll get another game two for which the line hasn’t moved at all from game one. This one, however, might have more of a reason for staying stagnant.
Tuesday’s spread closed at Las Vegas -6.5, and after a six-point Aces victory, that’s exactly where it stands for tonight’s game at PointsBet Sportsbook.
| Sportsbook | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Phoenix +5.5 -110 Las Vegas -5.5 -110 | Over 170.5 -110 Under 170.5 -110 | Phoenix +200 Las Vegas -250 |
| BetRivers/PlaySugarHouse Sportsbook | Phoenix +7 -112 Las Vegas -7 -112 | Over 171 -112 Under 171 -113 | Phoenix +225 Las Vegas -278 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Phoenix +6.5 -115 Las Vegas -7.5 -115 | Over 170.5 -115 Under 170.5 -115 | Phoenix +240 Las Vegas -300 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Phoenix +6.5 -115 Las Vegas -6.5 -105 | Over 170 -115 Under 170 -105 | Phoenix +230 Las Vegas -290 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Phoenix +6.5 -110 Las Vegas -6.5 -110 | Over 170.5 -110 Under 170.5 -110 | Phoenix +225 Las Vegas -290 |
| GambetDC | Phoenix +6.5 -125 Las Vegas -6.5 -125 | Over 170.5 -125 Under 170.5 -125 | Phoenix +205 Las Vegas -303 |
| PointsBet Sportsbook | Phoenix +6.5 -110 Las Vegas -6.5 -110 | Over 170.5 -110 Under 170.5 -110 | Phoenix +230 Las Vegas -291 |
| Proline Ontario | Phoenix +5.5 -105 Las Vegas -5.5 -139 | OTB OTB | Phoenix +210 Las Vegas -323 |
| WynnBet Sportsbook | Phoenix +6.5 -110 Las Vegas -6.5 -110 | Over 170.5 -110 Under 170.5 -110 | Phoenix +230 Las Vegas -290 |
If you’re looking for an advantage on one side or the other, Liz Cambage’s health and conditioning could be a key. The star center missed several games due to COVID-19 before returning for the (meaningless) regular-season finale.
On Tuesday, she came off the bench for just nine minutes, so if she is able to increase her conditioning and regain her pre-COVID form then Aces bettors could be cashing in.
The Mercury, meanwhile, will need to hit shots to continue to cover. Phoenix shot just 9-of-31 from deep in game one, and despite covering by half a point, shooting below 30% from three on that level of volume won’t be a good sign going forward.
The best team for overs struck again in game one as Las Vegas’ pace and offense led to an easy cash on the 169.5-point total.
After the teams put up 186, that line has moved up to 171 at PointsBet. The back-to-back unders data still applies, so expect fewer than 186, but never count out the Aces as far as clearing an over in the 170s.
