Opening Weekend WNBA Betting Preview

The WNBA season is almost here! Just a few scant days separate W fans from 2022 tipoff — although as I noted a few days ago… you’d never know it at the sportsbooks :(

Nevertheless, the books all should have some bets available once the games actually start, and, given how little attention they pay to the sport (ok, last time I’ll be huffy about it, I promise), there are some nice potential edges to find.

With that in mind, let’s go through the opening weekend and project some potential places to bet!

(This and future betting articles are going to have a baseline assumption of knowledge from the reader on both sports betting and the WNBA, so definitely brush up on your basics if you are not a pro. And as I want to make sure to note every time: Never bet more than you are totally fine losing.)

FRIDAY

IND @ WAS

One of the biggest difference makers early in the WNBA season is what players teams have available and which are still finishing their seasons abroad. That being said, in this matchup, there’s a different swing vote: Health. Most notably, that of Elena Delle Donne, a player with as high a ceiling as you will find in the league, but who has played a total of just 52 regular season minutes since Fall of 2019.

If she plays, this line should be double-digits, and I’d feel comfortable with the Mystics covering that number. But I almost like it even more if she doesn’t play and the number drops a bit, because this Fever team is rough and that’s even at full strength. They’ll likely be without starting wing, Victoria Vivians, and backup point guard Danielle Robinson. The Mystics will likely be missing starting center Elizabeth Williams, but that just means Shakira Austin gets more shine in her debut!

To recap: If Delle Donne plays, take WAS up to -10 but if she doesn’t still take up to -9 or so.

LAS @ CHI

No recommended play. I want to see both teams in action a bit first.

LVA @ PHO

**Alright, this is my best bet for the weekend.** I want the Aces on the moneyline and the spread, barring any crazy number. Given where both sit in the preseason title odds, I think it should be close to a pick em, especially with both teams having most of the players they should have this season available for Game One.

Of course, there is one big, scary, and hard to talk about player looming over all of this: Brittney Griner. Let me lead by saying all of this betting talk is trivial and feels a touch wrong in what should be a far more important emphasis on getting her home safe.

If we are going to bet on the league still, however, I am going to really heavily fade the Mercury this season in lieu of her absence. Griner was carrying this team for most of last year and I think we’re going to see just how much of an impact Griner really had in her absence. The Mercury brought in Tina Charles to fill the center spot, but the 36-year-old — as amazing as she is — just isn’t going to be able to paper over what is a really shoddy defense.

And boy oh boy is his Aces team made to pick apart a shoddy defense. Becky Hammon already has this team firing at will, and in addition to betting Los Vegas on both the spread and the moneyline, I’d LOVE to be able to bet their individual team total on the over as well, if it’s offered.

One final note: As if this game needed any more reason to tilt towards the Aces, they’ll be looking for revenge on the team that knocked them out in an upset in last year’s playoffs. This has Aces rout written all over it.

MIN @ SEA

This one feels like another stay away. I think Seattle is quite clearly the better team than Minnesota this year, especially with Napheesa Collier out to start the season, but I think the line will reflect that. Plus, I just realllllly don’t like betting against Cheryl Reeve in these big games (or really ever, lol).

SATURDAY

CON @ NYL

**This is probably my second favorite play of the weekend.** I really like what the Liberty have on board for this 2022 season, and I’m excited to be attending this with some sea foam on come Saturday. The Liberty will be mostly complete by Saturday, with only Becca Allen (who I do think is a fundamental piece of the puzzle for the team this season) likely to miss the opener. On the flip side, Connecticut will be without DeWanna Bonner and Courtney Williams — a pair of electric and essential starters.

Now, this is a line I will definitely have to see first, because the books could catch on to that, and betting against the best player on the planet (Jonquel Jones) is always a dicey move, but if the Liberty come in to this game as decent home underdogs (+130 or so), I like this spot a lot for them.

ATL @ DAL

Of all the teams missing players to start the season, Dallas may just be at the top of that list. Teaira McCowan, Satou Sabally, and Kayla Thornton all are likely to still be overseas come Saturday, and Arike Ogunbowale may miss the opener with an ankle injury.

With that in mind, this may be the only time I bet on an Atlanta Dream team that I really don’t love this season, but if there’s value there, you have to jump on it. Definitely keep your eyes peeled for who will and won’t be in for this game, but if Dallas is missing that quartet, while Atlanta is missing “only” Tiffany Hayes (yes, their best player, but depth is so essential in this league) I’d look for the Dream to be right in the thick of this game down the stretch.

SUNDAY

LAS @ IND

Again: I want to see the Sparks play a game or two before betting them on a night to night basis. They have the highest gap between their floor and ceiling this season for me.

WAS @ MIN

Once again, I lean away from playing against Minnesota, even though I quite like what the Mystics have this season. Mostly, there are just so many unknowns as to whether Delle Donne will play, and if so how many minutes, that betting the Mystics early in the season seems sus.

SEA @ LVA

**It’s hard to fly totally blind here, but I really like a potential over here. It will likely be my third suggested play.** In fact, I think early season Aces overs will be a common play, but I will definitely have to see at least one of the totals posting before officially recommending. That being said, the spot seems ideal against a team such as Seattle that is a bit lacking in terms of perimeter defense.