WNBA Best Bets for Thursday, May 25

Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury (-2.5, 159.5)

Oddly enough, there are several similarities between these two teams.

Both are 0-2 to start the season, straight up and ATS. They have both struggled to get consistent offense going, sitting at 10th and 11th in the league in possessions per 40 minutes (Mercury 82.5, Lynx 81.5) and 9th and 10th in points per 100 possessions (Lynx 88.3, Mercury 83.8). Turnovers have also been an issue for both teams. The Mercury are the worst in the league in turnovers per game at 20.5, and the Lynx are behind them at 10th with 18.5. Not to mention both teams are averaging under 0.8 points per play. The Lynx have already seen two unders cash to start their season, I think we will see it again.

Under 159.5

Las Vegas Aces (-14) at Los Angeles Sparks (172.5)

The defending champion Las Vegas Aces have only played one game so far, a blowout win (105-64) last Saturday over a depleted Storm team in rebuild mode. Meanwhile, the Sparks also opened their season last Saturday with a 23-point win over the struggling Phoenix Mercury. 

Last season, the Sparks lost to the Aces by an average of 17.2 points per game, but their closest contest was at home, a game they lost by six. The Aces also led the league in points per 100 possessions last season (108.1) and have already shown us they intend on holding on to that top spot this year. I lean Aces -14, but I don’t necessarily want to play that large of a number. Speaking of large numbers, that total is just a little too high for me to jump on the over, but with this Aces offense, and the pace we can expect from this matchup, I wouldn’t be surprised if it hits. 

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