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:
Of the three games on the schedule, the one I'm most looking forward to features one of the most storied rivalries in league history. The Seattle Storm will travel to Phoenix to face the Mercury. Both teams are trending up, and while we won't have legends Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird going head-to-head, there's still plenty of star power on the court.
All eyes will be on Skylar Diggins-Smith as she returns to Phoenix as a member of the Storm after her messy separation from the Mercury a few seasons ago.
So grab your popcorn and let's dive into three streamers and four bets I like from today's games.
Sunday's fantasy stream team
Chennedy Carter, G, Chicago Sky (rostered in 32.9% of ESPN leagues): Carter averages only 20.0 minutes per game, but she has been excellent off the bench for the Sky and in fantasy lineups and has 20 or more fantasy points in four of her last five games. Carter should have success against a Fever team that is 12th in defensive rating.
Aari McDonald, G, Los Angeles Sparks (8.8% rostered): McDonald has played 24 or more minutes in three consecutive games and has scored 24 or more fantasy points in each of them. That trend should continue against her former team.
Aerial Powers, F, Dream (13.3%): Powers averages 17.6 minutes per game this season but has made the most of her limited minutes. She contributes to multiple statistical categories, which adds to her streaming appeal. Powers has scored 17 or more fantasy points in three of her last four games and faces a Sparks defense that ranks eighth in defensive rating.
Picks, projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. All odds are provided by ESPN BET.
Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever
Noon ET, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Line: Fever -2.5
Money line: Sky (+120), Fever (-140)
Total: 167.5 points
BPI prediction:
Fever: 54.5% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 1.2 points
Injury report
Sky: Diamond DeShields (Day-To-Day), Elizabeth Williams (Out)
Fever: Damiris Dantas (Out)
Best bet: Fever -2.5. The Sky have been horrendous lately, losing five of their last six games and going 1-5 against the spread over that span. Chicago is definitely feeling the loss of Elizabeth Williams, who tore her meniscus against the Washington Mystics back on June 6. While the Fever (4-10) aren't a great team given their record, they are trending in the right direction, which is a positive considering the scrutiny Caitlin Clark and Indiana have faced all season. The Sky have been solid defensively, but their offensive woes will hurt them Sunday on the road.
Seattle Storm at Phoenix Mercury
3 p.m. ET, Footprint Center, Phoenix
Line: Storm -3.5
Money line: Storm (-160), Mercury (+135)
Total: 165.5 points
BPI prediction:
Storm: 58.5% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 2.4 points
Injury report
Storm: No injuries reported
Mercury: No injuries reported
Best bet: Storm -3.5. The Storm are one of the hottest teams in the league and have championship aspirations. They are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight and rank in the top five in both offensive and defensive ratings. The Storm defeated the Mercury 80-62 at home at the start of the month, but it's worth noting that Brittney Griner and Nneka Ogwumike missed that game. While Griner's return helps, Phoenix's defense remains a liability. Jewell Loyd, Nneka Ogwumike, and Skylar Diggins-Smith will be too much for the Mercury's defense to handle.
Best bet: Ezi Magbegor over 24.5 points, rebounds and assists. Loyd, Ogwumike and Diggins-Smith garner a lot of attention for the Storm, but let's not forget about Magbegor, who has been playing very well lately. She has cleared this line in three of her last five games. As I mentioned earlier, the Mercury are not a strong defensive team, ranking near the bottom of the league in points allowed, rebounds allowed and assists allowed per game. Magbegor should shine in this matchup.
Los Angeles Sparks at Atlanta Dream
3 p.m. ET, State Farm Arena, Atlanta
Line: Dream -5.5
Money line: Sparks (+185), Dream (-225)
Total: 160.5 points
BPI prediction:
Dream: 68.2% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 5.2 points
Injury report
Sparks: Azura Stevens (Out)
Dream: Jordin Canada (Out)
Best bet: Cameron Brink over 14.5 points, rebounds and assists. The Dream have really struggled over the last four games. Atlanta ranks 11th in offensive rating and 10th in defensive rating during that period. The Sparks are by no means an offensive juggernaut, but they shouldn't have trouble running up the score on Sunday. This is a great spot for Brink to bounce back after struggling against the Las Vegas Aces, Seattle Storm and Minnesota Lynx in the last three games, especially if she stays out of foul trouble.