We have an excellent three-game slate scheduled in the WNBA this Saturday. Our basketball betting experts have locked in a trio of bets for today’s matchups, including a pair of picks for the marquee matchup on the slate, Liberty vs. Aces, as well as a total prediction for Sky vs. Sparks.
Let’s dive into our WNBA best best bets for Saturday, August 17.
WNBA Best Bets for Saturday, August 17
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| [teammatchup link=”#1″ firstfullname=”New York Liberty” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/wnba/100/nyl.png” secondfullname=”Las Vegas Aces” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/757250_Aces.png”][/teammatchup] | 4 p.m. | |
| [teammatchup link=”#2″ firstfullname=”New York Liberty” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/wnba/100/nyl.png” secondfullname=”Las Vegas Aces” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/757250_Aces.png”][/teammatchup] | 4 p.m. | |
| [teammatchup link=”#3″ firstfullname=”Chicago Sky” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/16921_Sky.png” secondfullname=”Los Angeles Sparks” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/459836_Sparks.png”][/teammatchup] | 5 p.m. | |
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Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our WNBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.
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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Jim Turvey’s Liberty vs. Aces Best Bet: Take NY to Win the First Quarter”][/subheader]
[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Liberty First Quarter Moneyline (+112)” league=”wnba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/wnba/100/nyl.png” awayname=”New York Liberty” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/757250_Aces.png” homename=”Las Vegas Aces” date=”Saturday, August 17″ time=”4 p.m. ET” network=”CBS” bookname=”FanDuel” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/122955_FanDuelSportsBook@1x.jpg” bookreviewslug=”fanduel”][/gameheader]
By Jim Turvey
Saturday on CBS sees a 2023 WNBA Finals rematch, as the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces square off in a battle of what most folks will still consider the two best teams in basketball, even if the Aces sit a bit lower in the standings right now.
Hopefully the game itself is a good one (although these two teams have been prone to playing blowouts when they face off), but the first quarter looks likely to skew one way.
The Liberty have been a first quarter juggernaut this season, with a +21.6 net rating that easily leads the league. They tailed off a bit before the Olympic break, but in their first game back, they won the first quarter by a score of 29-10 against an overwhelmed Sparks side.
The Aces, on the other hand, have been slow starters all season. That has even held true since Chelsea Gray returned to the starting lineup, as their -14.1 net rating since she re-entered the lineup ranks second-worst in the WNBA during that time.
Right now bettors can get the Liberty first quarter moneyline at +110 at Caesars, but I’d play this all the way down to -125.
Pick: Liberty First Quarter Moneyline (+112)
| [teammatchup link=”#1″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Liberty” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/wnba/100/nyl.png” secondfullname=”Las Vegas Aces” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/757250_Aces.png”][/teammatchup] | [teammatchup link=”#2″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Liberty” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/wnba/100/nyl.png” secondfullname=”Las Vegas Aces” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/757250_Aces.png”][/teammatchup] | [teammatchup link=”#3″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Chicago Sky” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/16921_Sky.png” secondfullname=”Los Angeles Sparks” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/459836_Sparks.png”][/teammatchup] |
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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Joe Dellera’s Liberty vs. Aces Best Bet: A’ja Wilson Prop Line Too High”][/subheader]
[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”A’ja Wilson Under 26.5 Points (-110)” league=”wnba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/wnba/100/nyl.png” awayname=”New York Liberty” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/757250_Aces.png” homename=”Las Vegas Aces” date=”Saturday, August 17″ time=”4 p.m. ET” network=”CBS” bookname=”ESPN BET” bookprimarylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/11/ESPNBET-rect-2colorway-e1700601975338.png” bookreviewslug=”espn-bet”][/gameheader]
By Joe Dellera
It’s a massive showdown today between the Aces and the Liberty today and one player to watch is A’ja Wilson.
A’ja has dominated this entire year and continues to improve on what has been a tremendous past few seasons. She’s averaging 27.2 points per game, while exceeding this line in 71% of games this season.
However, the Liberty have some of the best tools to slow her down with Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones.
A’ja has averaged just 21 ppg against the Liberty since 2022 and has gone under this line in 11 consecutive matchups. This is a terrifying proposition, but I have her projected around 24.5 points today and will grab this under.
Pick: A’ja Wilson Under 26.5 Points (-110)
| [teammatchup link=”#1″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Liberty” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/wnba/100/nyl.png” secondfullname=”Las Vegas Aces” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/757250_Aces.png”][/teammatchup] | [teammatchup link=”#2″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Liberty” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/wnba/100/nyl.png” secondfullname=”Las Vegas Aces” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/757250_Aces.png”][/teammatchup] | [teammatchup link=”#3″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Chicago Sky” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/16921_Sky.png” secondfullname=”Los Angeles Sparks” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/459836_Sparks.png”][/teammatchup] |
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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Michael Arinze’s Sky vs. Sparks Best Bet: Expect a Slugfest”][/subheader]
[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Under 160.5 (-110)” league=”wnba” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/16921_Sky.png” awayname=”Chicago Sky” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/459836_Sparks.png” homename=”Los Angeles Sparks” date=”Saturday, August 17″ time=”5 p.m. ET” network=”League Pass” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]
After a 20-point home loss to Phoenix, the Chicago Sky will likely view Saturday’s trip to Los Angeles to take on the Sparks as a winnable game. Los Angeles is currently 10th in the standings and tied for the fewest wins (six) in the league.
At 10-15, Chicago is clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot, as it sits two games in front of the Atlanta Dream. Thus, Chicago will likely look to manage the game as best as possible to ensure a victory.
Despite both teams being right around league average in pace, they’ve both struggled to score, ranking in the bottom-third of the league offensively.
Chicago already ranks dead-last in scoring from beyond the arc (4.5 per game), and it recently traded away its best perimeter player, Marina Mabrey, who accounted for more than half of the team’s 3-point field goals.
This matchup could turn into a slugfest, with points difficult to come by. And with a total of 160.5, the under offers plenty of value.
Pick: Under 160.5 (-110)
| [teammatchup link=”#1″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Liberty” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/wnba/100/nyl.png” secondfullname=”Las Vegas Aces” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/757250_Aces.png”][/teammatchup] | [teammatchup link=”#2″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Liberty” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/wnba/100/nyl.png” secondfullname=”Las Vegas Aces” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/757250_Aces.png”][/teammatchup] | [teammatchup link=”#3″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Chicago Sky” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/16921_Sky.png” secondfullname=”Los Angeles Sparks” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/459836_Sparks.png”][/teammatchup] |
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