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 picks — SGP: Angel Reese 10+ rebounds, Jewell Loyd 18+ points, Both Sky and Storm 71+ points (+105, BetMGM)
- BetMGM offer: $1500 in Bonus Bets paid back
Hotter than the damn sun, and not the Connecticut version.
We’re riding a bit of a HE-HE-HEATER in the WNBA, a league this bettor only recently began to devoutly follow.
Though Caitlin Clark, Reese and other young superstars have brought widespread attention to the game, the betting markets, for the most part, haven’t sharpened — especially among player props. For those willing to conduct a little research, values can be discovered almost nightly.
This -EV gambler is a prime example. If yours truly can consistently win in the W, so can any geek off the street. Yes, for those tabulating and reading our content across the site, that’s a second reference to the Warren G classic “Regulate” in less than a week.
Mounting up on this holiday weekend, the Sky-Storm matchup appropriately packs considerable pop and sizzle. Here’s a quick rundown of SGP legs.
Angel Reese 10+ rebounds. On the glass, Chicago’s All-Star Queen gets downright mean. Grabbing everything in sight, she’s reeled in at least 10 rebounds in 12 straight games. Coming off a career-best 19 boards against the Dream, bank on Angel to again elevate to the heavens. Over their last 10 games, the Storm have yielded the fourth-most rebounds per game (34.4). Toss in the expected uptempo pace — Seattle ranks No. 2 and Chicago is No. 4 in the category this season — and it only increases the chances of Reese hitting.
Jewell Loyd 18+ points. Seattle’s leading scorer gets buckets in torrents. The five-time All-Star has scored at least 25 points in three straight games. Overall, she’s netted 18 or more points in 13 of 19 contests. That’s a hit rate of 68.4%. Whether converting high-percentage baskets around the tin or drilling bull’s eyes from outside, Loyd’s versatile skill set is a problem for a Sky squad that’s middle-of-the-pack in defensive rating. Ride the hot hand.
Both Sky and Storm to score 71+ points. As mentioned above, a high-possession affair is likely to materialize. Over their last five games, the Storm have scored 87.2 points per contest. The Sky have averaged 80.2 points in their last five games. Another favorable trend? Loyd and friends have eclipsed 71 points in 14 of their last 15. Meanwhile, Reese and cohorts have achieved the feat in 10 of their last 11. In a battle that could very easily end with both teams in the 80s, the proposed threshold is quite achievable.
WNBA season record: 13-8, +8.08 units