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WNBA bets and fantasy picks: Keep an eye on Kia Nurse

Kia Nurse has played 30-plus minutes and scored 20-plus fantasy points over her past two games. Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images

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.

Here's what to look for during today's slate:


Tuesday night's WNBA slate features three games, however the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces. The Mercury have been competitive so far this season but it will to see how they perform on the road since they haven't won a road since June 11th of last year.

Tuesday's Fantasy Stream Team

Stefanie Dolson, C, Washington Mystics (rostered in 35.8% of ESPN leagues)

Dolson has played 26 or more minutes in three consecutive games, scoring 20 or more fantasy points in two of those three games. With Shakira Austin listed as probable for Tuesday's game against the Sparks, Dolson remains a viable streamer regardless of whether Austin plays.

Alysha Clark, F, Las Vegas Aces (rostered in 29.0% of ESPN leagues)

Clark has played 28 or more minutes and scored 19 or more fantasy points in two straight games. She is expected to remain a starter for the foreseeable future and can contribute to multiple statistical categories, enhancing her streaming appeal against the Mercury.

Kia Nurse, G, Los Angeles Sparks (rostered in 22.7% of ESPN leagues)

Nurse and Dearica Hamby have emerged as leaders for the Sparks early in this season. Nurse has played 30 or more minutes and scored 20 or more fantasy points in two consecutive games. She is already a legitimate candidate for Most Improved Player and someone who can be a reliable streamer. Consider rostering Nurse long term.


Picks, Projections and Injury Reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. All odds are provided by ESPN BET.


Dallas Wings at Atlanta Dream
7:30 p.m. ET, State Farm Arena, Atlanta


Line: Dream -5.5
Money line: Wings (+190), Dream (-220)
Total: 169.5 points

BPI prediction:
Dream: 64.1% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 4 points

Injury report
Wings: Natasha Howard (Out), Jaelyn Brown (Out), Satou Sabally (Out)
Dream: Lorela Cubaj (Out), Jordin Canada (Out)

Best bet: Wings (+5.5).

Dallas has won six of their past seven regular-season road games. Although the Wings have strugged offensively so far this season, their defense has been on point. Dallas has covered the spread in six straight games against Atlanta and while the Dream are favored at home, the Wings should be able to bounce back on Tuesday night. This could be a low-scoring game since the Wings and Dream have gone under the total in seven of their past 10 games together.


Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces
10 p.m. ET, Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas


Line: Aces -14.5
Money line: Mercury (+800), Aces (-1600)
Total: 173.5 points

BPI prediction:
Aces: 85.9% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 12.4 points

Injury report
Mercury: Brittney Griner (Out)
Aces: No injuries reported

Best bet: Mercury (+14.5).

The Aces are a better team than the Mercury, with a deep and talented roster, including A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, making them a tough matchup for any team in the league. However, 14.5 points too high of a number, especially since Las Vegas only beat Phoenix by nine points last week. The reality is that the Aces are the defending champions and should expect maximum effort from their opponents every game. Las Vegas has failed to cover the spread in their first two games this season and failed to cover nine of their past 14 games as double-digit point favorites. Meanwhile, the Mercury have gone 12-4 against the spread over their past 16 games on the road against the Aces.


Washington Mystics at Los Angeles Sparks
10 p.m. ET, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles


Line: Sparks -2.5
Money line: Mystics (+125), Sparks (-150)
Total: 160.5 points

BPI prediction:
Sparks: 55.8% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 1.6 points

Injury report
Mystics: Shakira Austin (Day-To-Day), Brittney Sykes (Out)
Sparks: Rae Burrell (Day-To-Day), Azura Stevens (Out)

Best bet: Over 159.5 points.

Both the Sparks and the Mystics currently rank near the bottom of the league in defensive rating, so expect a lot of points to be scored between these two teams on Tuesday night. Los Angeles ranks sixth in offensive rating and this matchup is golden opportunity for Washington to break out offensively. Each of the Sparks and Mystics past five games have gone over the total.