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WNBA bets and fantasy picks: Why to back Alysha Clark on Tuesday

The Aces' Alysha Clark is averaging 18.2 fantasy points per game. Photo by Jeff Bottari/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 ESPN BET.

When the Las Vegas Aces and Minnesota Lynx faced each other two weeks ago, both teams were playing great basketball against lesser opponents. The question going into that matchup was who would look like the stronger contender. The Aces won with ease, but then lost three of its next four games. Meanwhile, Minnesota went on to win four of its next five games after the loss.

However, the Lynx have been winning against lesser teams. I'm curious to see how they play against the Aces in Tuesday's rematch.

Here's what to look for during today's three-game slate:

Tuesday's fantasy stream team

Aerial Powers, F, Atlanta Dream (rostered in 13.2% of ESPN leagues): Powers has been productive despite averaging only 17.6 minutes per game, scoring 18 or more fantasy points in four of her last five games. Plus, Powers has a favorable matchup against a Mystics team that ranks 11th in defensive rating.

Stefanie Dolson, C, Washington Mystics (30.2% rostered): Shakira Austin has missed four straight games due to a lingering hip injury, giving Dolson the opportunity to play additional minutes. Dolson has logged 22 or more minutes in each of those games, including one where she played 30, and has scored 16 or more fantasy points in all of them with a high of 35.

Alysha Clark, F, Aces (33.0%): Clark's statistical production tends to fluctuate due to the strong supporting cast around her, but she is still averaging 31.0 minutes and 18.2 fantasy points per game. The Aces boast an impressive offensive rating of 103.8, second only to the New York Liberty's 106.7.

Best bets

Skylar Diggins-Smith over 15.5 points (-125): The Sparks rank eighth in points allowed per game to opponents. Diggins-Smith has been consistent as a scorer, clearing this line in seven of her last 10 games with Seattle while averaging 13.7 field-goal attempts and 31.8 minutes per game during that span. This is a great spot for her to bounce back after a difficult matchup against the Lynx on Sunday.

Jackie Young over 4.5 rebounds (-135): Young missed Sunday's game against the Sparks with an illness but is expected to play Tuesday night. She has averaged 35.3 minutes per game and has consistently performed well as a rebounder, clearing this line in six of eight games this season. The Lynx rank 11th in rebounds allowed per game.

Cameron Brink over 5.5 rebounds (-150): Brink has been phenomenal on the boards, surpassing this line in seven of her past 10 games. The Storm rank sixth in rebounds allowed per game, but the Sparks rookie should still find success Tuesday night.

Lynx +6.5 at Aces: Minnesota will be looking for retribution against the Aces, considering the outcome of their last game against Las Vegas. The Aces are not playing great defense this season, ranking seventh in defensive rating, which could be an issue against a Lynx squad that ranks third in offensive rating. The Lynx are 9-2 against the spread this season and I will continue to back them.


Washington Mystics at Atlanta Dream
7:30 p.m. ET, State Farm Arena, Atlanta


Line: Dream -6.5
Money line: Mystics (+250), Dream (-310)
Total: 157.5 points

BPI prediction:
Dream: 70.2% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 5.9 points

Injury report
Mystics: Brittney Sykes (Out), Shakira Austin (Out)
Dream: Jordin Canada (Out)


Minnesota Lynx at Las Vegas Aces
10 p.m. ET, Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas


Line: Aces -6.5
Money line: Lynx (+230), Aces (-280)
Total: 164.5 points

BPI prediction:
Aces: 70.2% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 5.9 points

Injury report
Lynx: Dorka Juhasz (Day-To-Day), Diamond Miller (Out)
Aces: Jackie Young (Day-To-Day), Kierstan Bell (Out), Chelsea Gray (Out)


Los Angeles Sparks at Seattle Storm
10 p.m. ET, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle


Line: Storm -10.5
Money line: Sparks (+460), Storm (-650)
Total: 158.5 points

BPI prediction:
Storm: 73.8% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 7.1 points

Injury report
Sparks: Azura Stevens (Out)
Storm: No injuries reported