WNBA fantasy and betting tips for Sunday

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:

Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun

Line: Sun -7
Money line: Lynx (+250), Sun (-320)
Total: 164 points
BPI Win%: Sun (75/2%)

Ruled out: Bria Hartley, Damiris Dantas (personal)

Fantasy need to know: This game has a lot at stake for the Lynx, who are still fighting for a playoff spot. They would clinch a playoff spot with a win and a loss by either New York or Phoenix. The Sun have already clinched a postseason berth and are locked in as the 3-seed, so there really isn't much at stake for them in this game. I would not be surprised if they try to give their players more rest than usual in this game.

When I look at the Sun from a fantasy perspective -- and I've said it before -- Natisha Hiedeman (available in 86.6% of leagues) is a great pickup for anyone's fantasy team looking for a little boost. She has averaged 18.9 fantasy points per game over her last 19 games and has been consistent from 3-point range this season, notching 22 games with multiple 3-pointers, which is tied for the sixth most in the league.

For the Lynx, Napheesa Collier (available in 84.3%) is back on the court after returning from having her baby. Despite only playing the last three games this season, she has been good. She fills up a box score, and with the extra drive of trying to make the playoffs for Sylvia Fowles' last season, I think she will bring it. She has averaged 14.7 fantasy points per game in her three games this season, filling up the box score with 7.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.0 APG and hitting at least 1.7 3-pointers per game.

Best bet: Lynx +7. I have to go with the Lynx on this one. I think they cover because they will put up fight trying to get a playoff spot in what is Fowles' last regular season game. The Lynx also have gone 5-2 against the spread this season when they are underdogs of seven more points. And with the Sun having their playoff future set, I think they will look to rest their starters more if they can, which gives the Lynx more of a chance to keep it close. -- Jenni LaCroix

Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty
2 p.m., Barclays Center, Brooklyn

Line: Liberty -3
Money line: Dream (+130), Liberty (-155)
Total: 160.5 points
BPI Win%: Liberty (59%)

Ruled out: Kristy Wallace (COVID-19), Tiffany Hayes (ankle), Nia Coffey (knee), AD Durr (hip)

Fantasy need to know: Atlanta can clinch a playoff spot with a win and Phoenix loss while the Liberty clinch a playoff spot with a win or a Phoenix win and a Minnesota loss. The Liberty have gone 5-2 in their last seven games, and this is their first home game since August third (four-game road trip). The Dream have gone 2-7 in their last nine games, including losing their last three straight.

For the the Liberty, you really can't go wrong with any of Stefanie Dolson (17.1 fantasy PPG), Rebecca Allen (16.0 fantasy PPG) and Marine Johannes (18.3 fantasy PPG). All of them are available in 70% or more of leagues right now and are a good addition to any roster if you need someone to play today or for the rest of the season.

For the Dream, one player I'm shocked to see widely available in most leagues is rookie forward Naz Hillmon (available in 89.5% of leagues). She is a rebounding monster and not a bad passer for a big. Since she was inserted into the starting lineup 11 games ago, she's averaging 6.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 APG and 1.1 SPG.

Best bet: Over 160.5. I'm picking the over here because there is a lot on the line in this game and I think both teams will come out firing. And while the Dream have a top-four scoring defense in the league this season, their defense has been severely struggling over the last nine games, allowing 85 PPG. The Dream also play at a fast pace (fourth-fastest in the league), so we can expect them to push the pace, which will help create more offensive opportunities for both teams. -- LaCroix

Indiana Fever at Washington Mystics

Line: Mystics -11
Money line: Fever (+500), Mystics (-700)
Total: 159 points
BPI Win%: Mystics (82.6%)

Ruled out: Danielle Robinson (shoulder), Kelsey Mitchell, Myisha Hines-Allen

Fantasy need to know: One of the few games on the slate without playoff implications. The Fever are in last place and out of the playoff race, while the Mystics have locked up the fifth seed. Indiana has lost 17 straight games, the second-longest losing streak in league history. Averaging 30.8 minutes per game and 25.8 fantasy points, rookie NaLyssa Smith has been one of the top options for the Fever. As the Fever look to the future, Queen Egbo, Emily Engstler (available in 81.9% of leagues) Destanni Henderson (available in 92%) and Lexie Hull (96.6%) are also expected to receive significant minutes and belong in your lineups.

There is nothing at stake for the Mystics here, and because Hines-Allen is still in the health and safety protocol, it would not be surprising if other players, such as Elena Delle Donne, would play limited minutes. Natasha Cloud, Ariel Atkins, Shakira Austin (44.2%), Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (96.3%) and Alysha Clark (63.5%) belong in fantasy lineups.

Best bet: Under 159. The Mystics rank eighth in offensive rating (100.5) while the Indiana Fever rank 12th (94.8). Considering there's nothing at stake, betting the under makes sense. -- Eric Moody

Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces

Line: Aces (-6)
Money line: Storm (+192), Aces (-235)
Total: 167.5 points
BPI Win%: Aces (64.9%)

Ruled out: Dearica Hamby, Mercedes Russell (head)

Fantasy need to know: This is the fourth time these teams have played this season. The Aces clinch the best overall record with a win or with losses by the Sky and Sun. Kelsey Plum has been one of the top fantasy players for the Aces. She is the first player in Aces history with 700 points in a season. Plum, A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray belong in fantasy lineups. The Aces rank first in offensive rating (109.2).

Breanna Stewart has put together another stellar season, averaging 39 fantasy points per game. Against the Lynx on Friday, she became the only player this season to score 10 or more points in every game. In addition, Stewart earned the 53rd double-double of her career, which ties her with Wilson and DeWanna Bonner for 21st place. She belongs in fantasy lineups along with Tina Charles, Jewell Loyd, Sue Bird and Gabby Williams (available in 45% of leagues). The Storm rank sixth in offensive rating (102.3) and third in defensive rating (96.6).

Best bet: Over 167.5. The Aces average 90 PPG while playing at a fast pace. In 10 of Las Vegas' past 17 home games, the totals have gone over. Four of the Storm's past five games have gone over the total. -- Moody

Chicago Sky at Phoenix Mercury
5 p.m., Footprint Center, Phoenix

Line: Sky -6
Money line: Sky (-278), Mercury (+222)
Total: 165.5 points
BPI Win%: Sky (53.2%)

Ruled out: Li Yueru (personal), Skylar Diggins-Smith (personal), Diana Taurasi (quad), Kia Nurse

Fantasy need to know: The Sky starters are universally rostered and should be started as usual. The Sky need to win this game, so their starters should play enough minutes to try to secure the victory. However, they are facing a very short-staffed Mercury team, so there's a reasonable chance that this game gets out of reach early. This could give more opportunity for players off the Sky bench, such as Azura Stevens (available in 38.4% of leagues) or Rebekah Gardner (available in 93.1%) to turn in extra minutes. They thus each have a puncher's chance to turn in a streamable level of production.

The Mercury will finish their season without Diggins-Smith and Taurasi, major losses for a team battling the defending WNBA champions with their own playoff hopes on the line. In their absence, Shey Peddy (49.6%) has developed into a fantasy star. In her past three games, she has averaged 19.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 4.3 3PG and 1.7 SPG in 35.7 MPG. Jennie Simms (99.6%) is starting in place of Diggins-Smith, and in her last start she produced 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and one 3-pointer in 34 minutes.

Best bet: Sky -6. Both teams need this win for postseason consideration. The Sky are still contending for the top seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, while the Mercury are battling for a postseason spot. But the Sky are relatively healthy, while the Mercury are down both of their superstars. While the Mercury will compete, the Sky should be able to win this game comfortably. The Sky are 2-0 against the Mercury this season and won their last meeting by 16 points. -- Andre Snellings

Dallas Wings at Los Angeles Sparks
7 p.m., crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles

Line: Wings -4.5
Money line: Wings (-180), Sparks (+152)
Total: 164 points
BPI Win%: Sparks (50.1%)

Ruled out: Satou Sabally (ankle), Arike Ogunbowale, Kristi Toliver (calf), Rae Burrell (knee)

Fantasy need to know: The Wings recently lost their All-Star, Ogunbowale, to injury. Marina Mabrey has stepped up huge in her absence, enough so to being close to universally rostered in fantasy leagues. Her averages of 19.8 PPG, 5.2 APG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 3PG, 1.2 SPG and 0.5 BPG in her past six outings make her a must-start in the finale. Kayla Thornton (available in 45.7% of leagues) has also stepped up, with four double-digit scoring efforts in her past seven games and averages of 12.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.4 3PG, 1.3 SPG, 1.3 APG and 0.6 BPG during that stretch. If available in your league, Thornton makes a solid streaming option.

The Sparks end the season with the majority of their starting lineup either out or listed as game-time decisions. Tolliver is out, while both Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike are battling injuries. This has opened up space for Jordin Canada (available in 64.7% of leagues) to step up with averages of 11.3 PPG, 7.7 APG, 2.3 RPG and 1.0 SPG in her past three outings. Olivia Nelson-Ododa (available in 96.2% of leagues) has also finished her rookie season strong, with four games with at least eight points and a 10-rebound effort over her last six games.

Best bet: Under 164. The Sparks and their opponents have combined for more than 164 points only four times in their last 10 games, while the Wings and their opponents have done so only once in their last eight contests. In addition, neither team has anything to play for in terms of postseason aspirations. The Wings' postseason slot is secure and can't be changed, win or lose, while the Sparks join the Fever as the only two teams to enter the last day already eliminated from postseason consideration. It would be surprising for both teams to suddenly turn in a high-scoring effort in the last game of the season. -- Snellings