Thanks to the influx of extraordinary young talent, the popularity of the WNBA is blowing up. Unsurprisingly, the betting markets are too. Showing respect to the wonderful women’s game, this gambler will occasionally dip his toe in the WNBA wagering waters.
The pick — SGP: Angel Reese 10+ points, 8+ rebounds vs. Liberty (+140, FanDuel)
FanDuel offers:
From Pat McAfee’s line-crossing description of Caitlin Clark to uncomfortable Stephen A. Smith exchanges about the league to the sheer purposeful brutality exhibited on the floor, the WNBA is the talk of the sports world. And it's happening in the midst of a competitive MLB season and the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final on the immediate horizon.
On Monday, there were exactly zero W games scheduled, yet conversations about the ascending sport were held everywhere.
Agree or disagree with motives behind the blatant hip checks and violent arm flails, women’s pro basketball has received unprecedented attention. As a result, the increased interest has business booming, and the on-court competition has been heated with plenty of trash talk and bad blood, similar to the NBA in the 1990s. Casual viewers will continue to eat up the drama.
They’ll also continue to gobble up bets.
Reese is one of many young players stoking controversy. Through seven games, Basketball Barbie has repeatedly swung a sharpened stiletto, gashing opponents who attempt to defy her. Exhibiting her trademark swagger, the Chicago Sky rookie forward has played terrific defense, cleaned up on the glass and converted on multiple high-percentage shots.
Two weeks ago against the New York Liberty, Reese scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 31 minutes. Averaging north of both thresholds this season at 10.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, she has topped the needed numbers in four of seven games.
Yes, the Liberty rank No. 2 in fewest opponent points (76.4) and fewest opponent rebounds (32.6), and the presence of fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso muddies the waters somewhat for playing time. But as long as Reese logs another 25-plus minutes, achieving a 10-8 line is entirely doable — especially at the attractive +140 juice.
WNBA season record: 0-2, -2.12 units