Each day of the WNBA season, our team of fantasy and betting experts breaks down every game on the slate, making note of everything from injuries and lineup changes to recent trends and more.
All odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook.
Here’s what to look for during Thursday’s slate:
Dallas Wings at Phoenix Mercury
10 pm ET, Footprint Center, Phoenix
Line: Mercury (-5)
Money Line: Wings (+170), Mercury (-200)
Total: 161.5 points
Ruled out: Satou Sabally
Fantasy need to know: Isabelle Harrison (55.9% available) put up big numbers while starting for the Wings. Teaira McCowan has played limited minutes in three games, but in those games she averaged 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists in 30.0 minutes per game. Kayla Thornton (80.2% available) has also played well and has averaged 10.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.3 APG and 1.7 3PG in 31.3 MPG thus far this season.
Shey Peddy (91.8% available) came off the bench for the first time this season with Diamond DeShields moving into the starting lineup. Peddy played only 20 minutes but notched 13 points, four assists and two 3-pointers. She has averaged 11.0 PPG and 3.5 APG thus far this season. –Andre Snellings
Best bet: Wings +5, The Wings and Mercury are both 2-2 and have the same scoring margin (-1.3 PPG). Phoenix and Dallas are ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, according to Basketball Power Index (BPI). I think five points is too much to give either side, so I will take the Wings and the points. — Snellings
Minnesota Lynx at Las Vegas Ace
10 pm ET, Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
Line: Aces (-11.5)
Money Line: Lynx (+450), Aces (-650)
Total: 167.5 points
Questionable: Kiah Stokes (returned from overseas)
Ruled out: Riquna Williams (foot), Damiris Dantas (foot), Natalie Achonwa (hamstring)
Fantasy need to know: The Aces play five players for most of the game and all five are universally rostered in fantasy leagues. Williams and Theresa Plaisance are the biggest contributors for Las Vegas off the bench. With Williams sidelined, Plaisance could get an uptick in minutes; however, she rarely produces numbers large enough for season-long fantasy play. Jessica Shepard has been a walking double-double all season, and fantasy managers have recognized that (70.4% rostered). — Snellings
Best bet: Aces (-11.5). The Aces have won all four of their games by an average of 16.0 PPG. Las Vegas also beat the previously undefeated Atlanta Dream by 23 points, the Seattle Storm and the Phoenix Mercury. Meanwhile the Lynx have struggled to start the season. Getting Kayla McBride back Tuesday was a huge boost, but Minnesota can’t hang with the Aces. — Snellings
