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WNBA bets and fantasy picks: Sun look to shine vs. Sparks

Alyssa Thomas has gone under 31.5 points, rebounds and assists in four of her past five games. Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

Tuesday night's WNBA slate features two games, with the New York Liberty traveling to Phoenix to face the Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks playing on the east coast against the Connecticut Sun.

The Liberty are 6-1 on the road this season, while the Mercury boast a 5-2 record at home. New York ranks in the top four in both offensive and defensive rating this season, while the Mercury have steadily improved, especially on defense, with the return of Brittney Griner, who looks like her All-Star self again.

Here are two fantasy streamers and three bets for consideration.


Tuesday's Fantasy Stream Team

Tyasha Harris, G, Connecticut Sun (rostered in 29.1% of ESPN leagues)

Harris logs a high number of minutes (30.8 MPG), contributes to multiple statistical categories and plays for a Sun team that ranks in the top four in both offensive and defensive rating. She has scored 19 or more fantasy points in three of her last five games, including one with 30 fantasy points. She should be productive against a Sparks team that ranks ninth in defensive rating.

Aari McDonald, G, Los Angeles Sparks (12.8%)

McDonald has played 24 or more minutes and scored 24 or more fantasy points in four consecutive games. She has been excellent off the bench for the Sparks lately but faces a difficult matchup which could limit her fantasy ceiling.


Picks, projections and injury reports

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


Los Angeles Sparks at Connecticut Sun
7 p.m. ET, Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Conn.


Line: Sun -13.5
Money line: Sparks (+630), Sun (-1050)
Total: 153.5 points

BPI prediction:
Sun: 77.2% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 8.4 points

Injury report
Sparks: Azura Stevens (Out)
Sun: Moriah Jefferson (Out)

Best bet: Sun (-13.5).

Connecticut has won three straight games and is playing at home against a Sparks team that has lost six of their past eight. The Sun are a strong defensive team that excels at limiting transition points, while the Sparks rank 11th in offensive rating. Los Angeles also has a 1-4 ATS record over their past five road games while the Sun have a 4-0 ATS record when favored by 10 or more points.

Best bet: Alyssa Thomas under 31.5 points, rebounds and assists.

The Sun might have a chance to build a significant lead against the Sparks on Tuesday night. Thomas has gone under this line in four of her past five games and she might not play the entire game if it ends up a blowout.


New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury
10 p.m. ET, Footprint Center, Phoenix


Line: Liberty -5.5
Money line: Liberty (-225), Mercury (+185)
Total: 170.5 points

BPI prediction:
Liberty: 71.9% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 6.4 points

Injury report
Liberty: Courtney Vandersloot (Out), Nyara Sabally (Out)
Mercury: No injuries reported

Best bet: Mercury (+5.5).

Phoenix's defense has improved significantly since Griner returned to the lineup. The Mercury have a 4-0 ATS record when Griner is on the court this season and have climbed to sixth in defensive rating during the past four games. Phoenix previously covered against the Liberty as double-digit underdogs in their last matchup on May 29. Tuesday night's game should be another closely contested one, especially with the Mercury playing at home. While the Liberty have won eight straight games and have the second-best record in the WNBA, New York is only 4-8 ATS this season when favored by six or more points.