The WNBA Playoffs continue today with two more single-elimination games, much to the chagrin of the teams hosting them.
Someday, the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds may get the benefit of a series, but for now, the Minnesota Lynx and the Seattle Storm will have to win today to advance to the semis, where the Connecticut Sun and Las Vegas Aces await.
Standing in their way are the No. 5 Phoenix Mercury and No. 6 Chicago Sky, so let’s take a look at how to bet each of these contests.
No. 5 Phoenix Mercury at No. 4 Seattle Storm (3:00 p.m. ET, ABC)
For a moment on Thursday, it looked like the upstart Liberty might continue their unlikely run. But Sophie Cunningham stepped up and saved the Mercury, so here we are with a rematch of Seattle’s final regular-season game.
The Storm won that one as two-point underdogs thanks to a first-half explosion from Jewell Loyd. Neither Diana Taurasi nor Breanna Stewart suited up for that game. Stewart won’t play in this one either, while Taurasi is still listed as questionable.
The line currently sits at 3.5 points at Bally Bet, but this could shift if Phoenix’s former MVP is ruled in or out. Keep an eye on the injury updates as we get closer to tipoff — there may be a window of opportunity to bet on a side before the books adjust their lines.
| Sportsbook | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bally Bet | Phoenix -3.5 -110 Seattle +3.5 -110 | Over 161.5 -110 Under 161.5 -110 | Phoenix -165 Seattle +140 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Phoenix -3.5 -110 Seattle +3.5 -110 | Over 161.5 -110 Under 161.5 -110 | Phoenix -155 Seattle +125 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Phoenix -3.5 -114 Seattle +3.5 -112 | Over 162.5 -113 Under 162.5 -113 | Phoenix -167 Seattle +133 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Phoenix -3.5 -110 Seattle +3.5 -110 | Over 160.5 -110 Under 160.5 -110 | Phoenix -160 Seattle +140 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Phoenix -3.5 -110 Seattle +3.5 -110 | Over 162 -105 Under 162 -115 | Phoenix -160 Seattle +140 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Phoenix -3.5 -108 Seattle +3.5 -112 | Over 161.5 -105 Under 161.5 -115 | Phoenix -168 Seattle +136 |
| GambetDC | Phoenix -3.5 -120 Seattle +3.5 -130 | Over 161.5 -120 Under 161.5 -130 | Phoenix -175 Seattle +125 |
| PointsBet Sportsbook | Phoenix -3.5 -110 Seattle +3.5 -110 | Over 160.5 -110 Under 160.5 -110 | Phoenix -165 Seattle +140 |
| Twinspires Sportsbook | Phoenix -3.5 -114 Seattle +3.5 -112 | Over 162.5 -113 Under 162.5 -113 | Phoenix -167 Seattle +133 |
The same can be said for the over/under, which is listed at 161.5 points at BetMGM Sportsbook.
Taurasi’s status shouldn’t impact the Mercury’s defense too much, but her ability on offense to get buckets and run the floor should move the projected total higher should she play. Taurasi’s presence on the court also increases Phoenix’s pace by five possessions per 40 minutes this season, so watch for line movement based on injury updates here as well.
No. 6 Chicago Sky at No. 3 Minnesota Lynx (5:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
The teacher will take on the student in the later game when Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve matches up with her former assistant, Chicago head coach James Wade.
If the bad news for the Lynx is that they have to play this game at all, the good news is that the data favors them. Minnesota owns the second-best winning percentage against the spread as home favorites (8-3), while Chicago’s mark of 2-5 is the second-worst as road underdogs.
That’s also good news for bettors who take the Minnesota -4 line at PointsBet Sportsbook.
| Sportsbook | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bally Bet | Chicago +4 -105 Minnesota -4 -115 | Over 165.5 -110 Under 165.5 -110 | Chicago +165 Minnesota -195 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Chicago +4.5 -110 Minnesota -4.5 -110 | Over 165.5 -110 Under 165.5 -110 | Chicago +145 Minnesota -175 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Chicago +4 -112 Minnesota -4 -114 | Over 165.5 -113 Under 165.5 -113 | Chicago +150 Minnesota -190 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Chicago +4 -110 Minnesota -4 -110 | Over 165.5 -110 Under 165.5 -110 | Chicago +160 Minnesota -190 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Chicago +4.5 -115 Minnesota -4.5 -105 | Over 165 -115 Under 165 -105 | Chicago +165 Minnesota -195 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Chicago +4.5 -114 Minnesota -4.5 -106 | Over 165.5 -105 Under 165.5 -115 | Chicago +152 Minnesota -188 |
| GambetDC | Chicago +4.5 -130 Minnesota -4.5 -120 | Over 165.5 -120 Under 165.5 -130 | Chicago +140 Minnesota -200 |
| PointsBet Sportsbook | Chicago +4 -105 Minnesota -4 -115 | Over 165.5 -110 Under 165.5 -110 | Chicago +165 Minnesota -196 |
| Twinspires Sportsbook | Chicago +4 -112 Minnesota -4 -114 | Over 165.5 -113 Under 165.5 -113 | Chicago +150 Minnesota -190 |
On the flip side, however, is the rest vs. rust debate. Teams playing on two or fewer days of rest against teams with more than that have outscored the spread this season by almost two points per game on average.
BetRivers Sportsbook has the over/under for this game at 165.5, which is much lower than the total from either of the two regular-season meetings between these two teams. Both of those surpassed 190, and while today’s game is unlikely to match that level of offense, there still could be value in the over if history repeats itself.
