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WNBA fantasy and betting tips for Wednesday

Allisha Gray becomes a bigger factor with Arike Ogunbowale out. Tim Heitman/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.

All odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook. Times are ET.

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


New York Liberty at Dallas Wings
8:00 p.m., College Park Center, Arlington


Line: Wings (-4)
Money line: Liberty (+170), Wings (-205)
Total: 163 points
BPI Win%: Wings (69.1%)

Questionable: Natasha Howard (ankle)

Ruled out: Arike Ogunbowale (core-muscle surgery), Satou Sabally (ankle)

Fantasy need to know: With Arike Ogunbowale sidelined, Dallas will be without a player who has averaged 32.5 fantasy points per game this season. She underwent successful core-muscle surgery Tuesday and has been ruled out for the rest of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. Allisha Gray, Marina Mabrey, Kayla Thornton (available in 38.4% of leagues) and Teaira McCowan belong in your lineups. Don't overlook Tyasha Harris (available in 98.7% of leagues) if you need a streamer. While playing at a slower pace than nearly every other team in the league, the Wings rank fourth in offensive rating (103.6) and eighth in defensive rating (103.3).

Sabrina Ionescu has been a joy to have on your fantasy roster all season. She has averaged 36.6 fantasy points per game and been the top fantasy player for the Liberty. She can be trusted in lineups along with Natasha Howard, Betnijah Laney and Marine Johannes. The Liberty aren't a strong offensive team ranking 10th in offensive rating (98.0).

Best bet: Wings -4. The Wings are 3-0 without Ogunbowale, and two of those wins came against top teams. The Wings have enough offensive playmakers to cover for her. -- Eric Moody


Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury
10:00 p.m., Footprint Center, Phoenix


Line: Lynx (-2.5)
Money line: Lynx (-165), Mercury (+140)
Total: 162.5 points
BPI Win%: Mercury (54.8%)

Questionable: Rachel Banham (knee), Aerial Powers (knee)

Ruled out: Diana Taurasi (quad)

Fantasy need to know: With the Lynx's playoff destiny in their hands, Sylvia Fowles has been their top fantasy option. She's averaged 30.0 fantasy points per game. So far this season, the Lynx have beaten the Mercury in all three games, and hold tie-breakers over both the Atlanta Dream and the Mercury. Fowles, Aerial Powers, Moriah Jefferson, Kayla McBride and Jessica Shepard belong in lineups. After giving birth less than four months ago in May, Napheesa Collier (available in 86.8% of leagues) recently made her season debut. She's a solid streamer, especially if Powers is out again.

The Mercury are reeling from the news that Diana Taurasi has been ruled for the remainder of the regular season due to a quad injury. Skylar Diggins-Smith has led Phoenix in fantasy points per game with 35.7. Her ceiling could be even higher without Taurasi on the court. Diggins-Smith, Sophie Cunningham, Diamond DeShields, Shey Peddy (available in 63.9% of leagues) and Brianna Turner belong in lineups.

Best bet: Lynx -2.5. Taurasi's loss will be difficult for the Mercury to overcome. In Phoenix's last five games against the spread, they have gone 2-3. As for the Lynx, they are 9-7 against the spread on the road. The Lynx should cover. -- Moody