Can Elena Delle Donne and the Washington Mystics hold on to their narrow lead atop the WNBA standings or can second place Connecticut come up with a finishing run that helps them get the top seed in the quickly approaching playoffs? Last but not least, can the Phoenix Mercury hold on to their spot as the eighth and final seed in the playoffs or even better, jump up to the sixth spot in the postseason? With approximately two weeks remaining in the 2019 WNBA regular season and the start of a new week at hand, it’s time for another round of WNBA betting picks of the week.
Top WNBA Betting Picks of the Week – August 26th
Phoenix Mercury (13-15) at Atlanta Dream (7-22)
- When: Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 7:00 PM ET
- Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Analysis: Phoenix has dropped two straight including their humbling 94-86 loss against Chicago on Sunday night despite getting a season-high 34 points from Brittney Griner and a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds from DeWanna Bonner. Despite their struggles this season, Atlanta has won two straight including 1 77-73 win over lowly Dallas on Sunday as Tiffany Hayes scored a team-high 23 points to lead the way to victory.
Prediction
Phoenix hasn’t looked particularly good all season as their losing record shows, but I’ve got to believe the Mercury are the pick in this one because of the unstoppable force that is Brittney Griner and the recent return of former league MVP Diana Taurasi. While the Mercury are averaging less than a pint per game more than they allow defensively, Atlanta is a league-worst -7.6 in the scoring differential department. I’m going with Phoenix to get the super narrow road win here, out of sheer desperation if nothing else!
WNBA Betting Pick: Phoenix 79 Atlanta 75
Connecticut Sun (20-9) at New York Liberty (9-20)
- When: Friday, August 30, 2019 at 7:30 PM ET
- Where: Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY
Analysis: Connecticut had their four-game winning streak emphatically snapped in their humbling 84-72 road loss against Los Angeles on Sunday. Courtney Williams had 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Jonquel Jones added 16 and 12 rebounds, and Shekinna Stricklen scored 12 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Sun lost their hold on the top spot in the WNBA heading into the new week. New York has dropped two straight and four of their last five including a demoralizing 101-72 loss against league-leading Washington on Sunday. Kia Nurse scored 24 points, while Bria Hartley and Tina Charles added 16 points apiece in the deflating defeat.
Prediction
Connecticut has struggled in going just 6-8 on the road this season, but it won’t matter much with the Sun completely locked in right now and taking on a New York team that has gone an uninspiring 4-9 on their home floor. The Liberty are ranked next to last in scoring differential (-7.4 ppg) and they have nothing left to play for. Connecticut wins this one by double digits WNBA roundball betting buffs!
WNBA Betting Pick: Connecticut 81 New York 75
Washington Mystics (21-8) at Dallas Wings (9-20)
- When: Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: College Park Center, Arlington, TX
Analysis: Washington has won four of five, including their emphatic 101-72 blowout of New York on Sunday. Elena Delle Donne had 22 points and 10 rebounds and the Mystics never trailed in the huge win that put them back on top of the WNBA standings. Dallas has lost three straight including a narrow 77-73 defeat against Atlanta on Sunday despite getting a game-high 29 points from Arike Ogunbowale.
Prediction
There is absolutely no guesswork that needs to be done here. Washington is far superior to Dallas in every way, plus the Mystics have a ton to play for as they try to secure the top seed in the quickly-approaching playoffs. Elena Delle Donne will be the best player on the floor as Washington’s league-leading offense (88.6 ppg) will be too much for the Wings to keep up with in this mismatch!
WNBA Betting Pick: Washington 97 Dallas 75
