Betting the WNBA Playoffs 2024: Predictions & Matchups Preview

The WNBA playoffs have the top seeds trying to take care of business quickly in the first round. The defending champion Los Vegas Aces put the Chicago Sky to bed quickly.

No. 3 Connecticut dropped Game 2 to Minnesota and will now have to go on the road to advance to the semifinals.

Here’s a look at the games worth betting on this week as you read MyBookie’s betting analysis, WNBA betting odds, and free picks for the First Round top matchups for the season.

WNBA Playoff Odds, Betting Analysis and Prediction for First Round Games | MyBookie Regular Season Betting Preview

2023 WNBA Season: 27th season of the Women’s National Basketball Association
First Round Games | September 18th – September 24th, 2023

Washington Mystics at New York Liberty

First Round – Game 2, NY leads series 1-0
Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at 9:00 pm EDT
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

The Mystics’ run of good play against the Liberty ended during Game 1 of the series. New York dominated Game 1, picking up a 15-point victory to move within one game of advancing to the next round. During the regular season, the Mystics had split the four-game season series between the teams.

For the Mystics to win Game 2, they must be considerably better on defense Tuesday in New York. Despite building a six-point first-quarter lead, Washington was eventually buried underneath an avalanche of 3-pointers. Sabrina Ionescu made a game-high seven 3-pointers, and the Liberty finished with 12 treys.

The Mystics struggled from the perimeter, only making 22.7 percent of its attempts. Washington must dig deep to even the series without Shakira Austin, who has been ruled out with an injury. The Mystics are 3-2 against the spread over their past five games. Atlanta is 1-3 against the spread over their past four games.

Atlanta Dream at Dallas Wings

First Round – Game 2, DAL leads series 1-0
Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at 9:00 pm EDT
College Park Center, Arlington, TX

The Wings want to win a series for the first time since they were known as the Detroit Shock during the 2009 season. Dallas has been bounced in the first round of the playoffs in its last five playoff appearances. The Wings needed a late rally to sting Atlanta in Game 1.

Dallas overcame a three-point deficit by outsourcing the Dream by 15 points in the fourth quarter. The Wings were led by Satou Sabally and Arike Ogunbowale, who scored 32 and 24 points, respectively. Atlanta shot well from the 3-point line.

The Dream has made 48.1 percent (13-of-27) of its attempts from the 3-point line. Atlanta, however, only made 28 of its 76 shots. Atlanta is 19-21 against the spread this summer. The Dream are 3-3 against the spread over the past six games. 

Connecticut Sun at Minnesota Lynx

First Round – Game 3, Series tied 1-1
Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at 8:00 pm EDT
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

The Lynx were able to even the series with Connecticut thanks to its ability to throw its muscle around underneath. Minnesota outrebounded the Sun 35-24. Connecticut won three of the four meetings between the teams in the regular season.

The Sun also won Game 1 of the playoff series by 30 points. Connecticut struggled to slow down Minnesota’s offense in Game 2. The Lynx shot 47 percent from the field and a slight edge in rebounding.

Dewanna Bonner had a solid 3-point shooting performance for Connecticut in Game 2. She knocked down six of her ten attempts and finished with 24 points. Alyssa Thomas also put up 26 points, eight rebounds, and three assists for Connecticut. The Sun are 21-17-2 against the spread.

WNBA First Round Lines | Bet Sun at Lynx Today
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I’ve read enough, now I have to place my bet, what do I do?

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The WNBA playoffs will tip off this week and will be in the second year of a traditional bracket format after experimenting with different things in the past.

The question for the 2023 playoffs is whether anyone can spoil the part between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces, who have seemed to be on a collision course all season.

Here’s a look at the games worth betting on this week as you read MyBookie’s betting analysis, WNBA betting odds, and free picks for the Playoff’s top matchups for the season.

WNBA Playoffs Odds, Betting Analysis and Prediction for the Games | MyBookie Regular Season Betting Preview

2023 WNBA season | 27th edition of the Women’s National Basketball Association
WNBA Week 18 | September 13th – September 17th, 2023

Atlanta Dream at Dallas Wings

First Round – Game 1
Friday, September 15, 2023 at 8:00 pm EDT
Gateway Center Arena, College Park, Georgia

The No. 5 seed Atlanta Dream is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The Dream looked like a dark horse title contender for the first half of the season. However, the Dream collapsed down the stretch and needed a solid finish to grab the five seed. 

Atlanta won three of its final five games to close the season. The Dream lost all three of its games against the Wings last season. Atlanta lost two of the three games to Dallas by double figures.

The Wings play an up-tempo brand of basketball. Atlanta averages 82.5 points per game but has struggled by shooting 33.6 percent from the 3-point line. Atlanta is 19-21 against the spread.

Dallas also plays a fast brand of basketball. The Wings average 87.9 points per game but have also struggled from the perimeter, making 31.7 percent from the outside.

WNBA Playoffs Lines | Bet Dream at Wings Today
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Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun

First Round – Game 1
Sunday, September 13th, 2023 at 8:00 pm EDT
Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Lynx have been one of the WNBA’s most improved teams this season. After being hit by many personnel changes, Minnesota was able to rally from a 1-6 start to the season to make the playoffs. The Lynx have lost three of its four meetings with the Sun this season.

Napheesa Collier leads Minnesota by scoring 21.5 points per game. Connecticut has been the clear No. 3 team all season behind New York and Las Vegas. The Sun has a strong team that can play inside and out. Connecticut forward Alyssa Thomas is an MVP candidate with her well-rounded skill set.

Thomas averages 15.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game. Connecticut is a strong 3-point shooting team, ranking fourth in the league by making 36 percent of its attempts.

WNBA Playoffs Lines | Bet Lynx at Sun Today
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Chicago Sky at Las Vegas Aces

First Round – Game 1
Wednesday, September 13th, 2023 at 10:00 pm EDT
T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada

The Aces are trying to become the first team to defend their WNBA championship and dominate the first few months of the WNBA schedule.

Las Vegas did run out of steam a bit in August but finished with an impressive 34-6 record. The Aces will open up against the Chicago Sky, which had to fight tooth and nail to make the playoffs for the fifth straight year.

The Sky are 22-16-2 against the spread this season. Chicago closed the season by winning five of its past six games. The Sky will have its hands full with the Aces, who won all three meetings between them this season.

Las Vegas is led by MVP candidate A’ja Wilson, who helped lead one of the WNBA’s best offenses, as Las Vegas averages more than 90 points per game.

New York won’t coast in this game, and it should create an exciting matchup.

WNBA Playoffs Lines | Bet Sun at Liberty Today
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The WNBA regular season has finally concluded, and it’s playoff time. There will be two games played on Thursday to determine next round’s matchups, with the top two in the league already clinching spots in the semifinals.

As things now heat up, a lot of fun is expected to be had. Let’s take a look at the two games on the slate that will determine round two’s single elimination schedule so you can be ready to bet against the WNBA lines.

WNBA Playoffs Games for the Week

#7 Wings at #6 Sky

The Wings and Sky will do battle, with the winner moving on into the next single-elimination round. These types of games and situations are tough, but the team that has more heart will be the one to come out of the pack with the victory.

Chicago finished the year right at 16-16, #3 in points per game. The offense was a major driving force of their success, Allie Quigley leading the way by hitting 45% of her threes. Candace Parker is still playing at a high level, and they had five players average 10+ ppg.

This is a team that loves to share the wealth, and it’s gotten them to this point. A victory would be huge after they bowed out in round one to the Sun last year.

As for Dallas, they finished 14-18 and want to leave a positive review for their season. Because as of now, a loss would mean that nothing went the way they wanted it to go.

Arike Ogunbowale led the way with 19 points per game, though she made just 38% of her attempts. She, along with Marina Mabrey and Allisha Gray, all hit a number of big threes, so if they can knock them down, they may have a shot.

The team lacks consistent rim protection, which is a glaring weakness and could be exposed.

#8 Liberty at #5 Mercury

In what could be a blowout, the Liberty head to Phoenix to play the Mercury. They just barely snuck into the playoffs, getting in thanks to losses by the Sparks and Mystics over the weekend. But now they are here, and nobody will feel sorry for them if they lose.

On the bright side, a 12-20 team with Sabrina Ionescu on it made the playoffs. She knows how to play on the big stage and could well elevate her team here. Betnijah Lacey and Natasha Howard led the way in scoring, and if they can reach their averages, perhaps the team could pull a surprising upset.

On the other side, Phoenix will be a tough out. Britney Griner has been dominant all season long, with the supporting cast also stepping up and knocking down big shots. Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi both played exceptionally well, giving them a lethal trio to work with.

They were middle of the pack in both offense and defense but did finish a solid 19-13. The next round will be much more difficult, so if Phoenix manages to advance, life will not be as fun heading into the battle.

Watch Out for Connecticut

The Sun are the team to beat, having won 14 straight to end the regular season. If anyone wants to win the title, they will have to go through them. And, they get a free pass right to the semis.

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While the shortened, 22-game WNBA regular season went off without a single coronavirus stoppage, the league saw that scenario play out this past weekend as the league postponed Sunday’s Game 1 semifinal opener between the No. 2 seed Seattle Storm and No. 4 seed Minnesota. Let’s find out why the match was rescheduled so you can re-do and place your bets against their WNBA odds.

WNBA 2020 Playoffs Analysis & Championship Predictions

The postseason showdown was postponed after there were inconclusive COVID-19 test results for some Storm players. The league said the game was postponed “out of an abundance of caution.”

Players who got inconclusive results have undergone additional testing today and are currently awaiting results in isolation in the bubble in Bradenton, Florida.

The next game in the series originally is scheduled for Tuesday, but the league announced it will make relevant announcements on the developments moving forward.

“Especially if there’s multiple players on a team, we really can’t take a chance to expose the bubble to any kind of community spread,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “We need to get more data to see if we have an issue.”

The Seattle Storm won it all in 2004, 2010 and 2018. The Minnesota Lynx reached the WNBA Finals in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 while winning it all in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.

Seattle hits the playoffs having won seven of their last eight. More importantly, the Storm will be motivated after losing their regular season finale against the Las Vegas Aces to finish with an identical 18-4 record. Seattle was relegated to the NO, 2 seed in virtue of their head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Storm rested superstar forward Breanna Stewart and veteran floor leader Sue Bird for the final two games of the regular season. The Lynx finished the season as the No. 4 seed to get a first round bye. Minnesota won their final two regular season contests to hit the postseason with some momentum.

Seattle won the regular season series 2-0 by recording a 90-66 win on July 28 that was Minnesota’s worst loss of the season before backing that up with an equally emphatic 103-88 win on Sept. 6.

Prediction

Maybe it’s me, but outside of a season-ending injury to at least two of their star players, I see absolutely no way that Minnesota upsets Seattle in this semifinal series. I’m going with Seattle to get it done 3-1 in this best-of-five!

Sunday, September 20 Match Review

• No. 7 Connecticut 87 No. 1 Las Vegas 62

Seventh-seeded Connecticut to a 1-0 series lead in their best-of-five semifinal against top-seeded Las Vegas on Sunday. Point guard Jasmine Thomas scored a career-high 31 points on a blistering 13-for-18 shooting mark while going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.

“I mean, we all know she’s capable of it,” Sun forward Alyssa Thomas said. “As our point guard, she tries to get everyone else involved. She knows when it’s time for her to take over.”

Now, with Game 2 set for Tuesday, I’m thinking Vegas could be in trouble moving forward despite winning the regular season series 2-0. Vegas recorded a 99-78 win in their first meeting on Aug. 30 before doubling up on the Sun by winning 93-78 on Sept.3. Connecticut looks straight-up dangerous right now after dispatching No. 6 Chicago 94-81 in the first round before routing No. 3 seed Los Angeles 73-59 in the second round.

I love the way Connecticut is playing defense and I believe their Game 1 win will give them the confidence they’ll need in order to get two more wins in this series to bounce top-seeded Vegas out of the postseason. I feel an upset going down in this one as Connecticut advances to meet Seattle in the 2020 WNBA Finals!

Tuesday, September 22 Matches

Minnesota at Seattle at 7:00 PM ET

• Game 1 – TV: ESPN2

Connecticut at Las Vegas at 9:00 PM ET

• Game 2 – TV: ESPN2

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Can likely league MVP Elena Delle Donne and the Washington Mystics cap off their fantastic regular season to win the first WNBA title in franchise history? Could the reigning champion Seattle Storm overcome the injuries that have plagued them all season long to defend the title they won a year ago? Could the talented, but drama-laden Phoenix Mercury cause some damage this postseason after narrowly reaching the playoffs as the eighth seed?

Okay WNBA betting faithful…with the start of the 2019 WNBA playoffs at hand, it’s time to take a look at who’s squaring off in the first round and which teams are looking like value-packed picks to advance to the second round.

Wednesday, No. 5 seed Chicago hosts No. 8 Phoenix, and No. 6 Seattle hosts No. 7 Minnesota. These are both single-elimination games. No. 3 seed Los Angeles and No. 4 Las Vegas await the winners for the single-elimination second round on Sept. 15. No. 1 seed Washington and No. 2 Connecticut both get a double-bye and move into the best-of-five semifinals.

2019 WNBA Playoffs Odds & Betting Preview

Odds to Win the 2019 WNBA Playoffs

• Seattle Storm +5000
• Washington Mystics -110
• Connecticut Sun +350
• Las Vegas Aces +600
• Los Angeles Sparks +450
• Minnesota Lynx +5000
• Phoenix Mercury +2200
• Chicago Sky +2500

Phoenix Mercury (15-19) at Chicago Sky (20-14)

• When: Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET
• Where: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
• TV: ESPN2

Despite losing their final four games of the regular season including a 98-89 defeat against Las Vegas on Sunday, the Mercury reached the postseason as the No. 8 seed. Phoenix averages 76.5 points per game but allows 77.6 points per contest defensively. Phoenix is led in scoring by all-star center Brittney Griner (20.7 ppg) while DeWanna Bonner averages 17.2 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds per game.

Chicago dropped their regular season finale by losing to Washington 100-86 on Sunday. The Sky average 84.6 points per game while allowing 83.3 points per contest defensively. Chicago has four double-digit scorers in Diamond DeShields (16.2 ppg), Allie Quigley (13.8 ppg), Courtney Vandersloot (11.2 ppg) and Jantel Lavender (10.0 ppg). Chicago has gone 12-5 at home this season while Phoenix is an uninspiring 6-11 on the road. The Sky also won all three regular season meetings against the Mercury while going 3-0 ATS. The ‘Over’ went 2-1 in those games and the totals ranged from 165 to 169.5.

Minnesota Lynx (18-16) at Seattle Storm (18-16)

• When: Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 10:00 PM ET
• Where: Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett, WA
• TV: ESPN2

Minnesota had their five-game winning streak snapped in their 77-68 regular season finale against Los Angeles on Sunday. The Lynx average 78.4 points per game while allowing 75.9 points per contest defensively. Minnesota has four double-digit scorers in Odyssey Sims (14.5 ppg), Sylvia Fowles (13.6 ppg), Naphessa Collier (13.1 ppg) and Danielle Robinson (10.1 ppg).

Seattle won three of their final four regular season contests including a 78-64 smackdown of Dallas in their finale on Sunday. The Storm average 74.8 points per game while allowing 75.1 points per contest defensively. Seattle has just two double-digit scorers in Natasha Howard (18.1 ppg) and Jewell Lloyd (12.3 ppg), although Jordin Canada (9.8 ppg) and Alysha Clark (9.6 ppg) are just under 10.0 points per game. The Lynx have gone 7-10 on the road this season while Seattle has gone 11-6 on their home floor. The Storm won three straight against the Lynx in the regular season after dropping their first regular season meeting in Minnesota back on May 29 while also going 3-1 ATS in the four meetings. The ‘Over’ went 3-1 in those games and the totals ranged from 148.5 to 152.5.