WNBA DFS Breakdown: Thursday

WNBA DFS Breakdown: Thursday

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DAILY MATCHUPS  (Vegas Odds, Team Efficiency, Pace, Opposing Stats)

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VALUE REPORT

TEAM TRENDS

OPPONENT AVERAGES

DraftKings and FanDuel Price Differences

Top 5 FanDuel

PLAYERPOSTEAMFanDuel Price% of BudgetDraftKings Price% of BudgetDifference
Julie AllemandGIND500012.5%860017.2%-4.7%
Candace ParkerFLA780019.5%1150023.0%-3.5%
Damiris DantasFMIN680017.0%1010020.2%-3.2%
Candice DupreeFIND550013.8%840016.8%-3.1%
Riquna WilliamsGLA450011.3%710014.2%-3.0%

Top 5 DraftKings

PLAYERPOSTEAMFanDuel Price% of BudgetDraftKings Price% of BudgetDifference
Alaina CoatesFWAS39009.8%33006.6%3.2%
Sugar RodgersGLVA450011.3%41008.2%3.1%
Marie GulichFLA410010.3%36007.2%3.1%
Erica McCallFMIN400010.0%35007.0%3.0%
Lindsay AllenGLVA410010.3%37007.4%2.9%

New York Liberty vs Indiana Fever

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

New York

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Sabrina IonescuGAnkleOUT9/13/2020
Rebecca AllenFPersonalOUT5/1/2021
Stephanie TalbotFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2021
Nayo Raincock-EkunweFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2021
Asia DurrGPersonalOUT5/1/2021
Han XuCNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2021
Marine JohannesGNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2021

Indiana

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Lauren CoxFKneeGTD9/10/2020
Victoria ViviansGKneeOUT9/12/2020
Erica WheelerGIllnessOUT9/21/2020
Jantel LavenderCFootOUT5/1/2021

2020 Player Stats

New York

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTATO
Sabrina IonescuNYG326.718.34.740.706.7353.34.3
Kia NurseNYG1826.611.72.71.90.60.16.223.251.9
Amanda Zahui B.NYC1825.39.28.71.70.91.34.9361.72.5
Kiah StokesNYC1927.65.46.81.30.51.13.920.30.41.3
Paris KeaNYG812.46.121.40.80341.70.81.4
Megan WalkerNYF1512.13.51.50.30.302.814.30.30.5
Layshia ClarendonNYG1926.111.52.53.90.902.334.13.33.4
Jazmine JonesNYG1719.610.53.41.81.30.52.134.34.32.5
Jocelyn WilloughbyNYG1916.95.92.30.90.70.31.844.121.4
Joyner HolmesNYF1611.33.330.80.10.11.711.10.80.8
Leaonna OdomNYF19215.12.60.80.60.4126.31.20.8
Kylee ShookNYF1714.74.430.60.40.60.823.10.91

Indiana

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTA
Kelsey MitchellIndG2032.517.82.22.80.60.16.738.33.2
Julie AllemandIndG2033.28.74.55.71.20.44.248.21.4
Tiffany MitchellIndG1727.412.83.52.60.70.1423.54.2
Kennedy BurkeIndG20187.31.810.70.32.333.32
Victoria ViviansIndG614.24.82.30.50.201.818.21.3
Kamiah SmallsIndG513.64.41.21.60.201.485.70.4
Kathleen DoyleIndG168.11.20.50.90.401.123.50.1
Candice DupreeIndF203012.15.72.30.70.40.714.32.2
Natalie AchonwaIndF1619.985.61.90.50.70.601.8
Stephanie MavungaIndF511.8540.600.40.402.2
Lauren CoxIndF1412.73.63.31.40.40.30.4501.1
Teaira McCowanIndC2021.3117.40.70.30.90.203.8
Alisia JenkinsIndF1201000000

The Skinny

While head coach Walt Hopkins is unwilling to admit it, his decision to essentially bench Amanda Zahui B and Jazmine Jones, two of the more productive players on the team, Tuesday versus the Sparks points to the Liberty "tanking" as the regular season winds down. That could mean few minutes again Thursday for the pair, as a loss would guarantee the Liberty the worst record in the league. The coach seems also seems intent on giving some of the rookies (other than the established Jones) a little extra time for evaluation and Jocelyn Willoughby responded with a career-high 21 points against the Sparks. The shot volume likely doesn't support a similar output Thursday, though the Fever's league-worst defensive numbers could allow for more scoring than usual from a Liberty side that sports the worst offensive efficiency in the league. Guards who don't rely on the three to score can thrive against Indiana. Layshia Clarendon fits that bill, averaging 11.5 points per game despite knocking down fewer than one three-point attempt. That proved to be a true outcome the last time the two squads met, resulting in her tying a season-high mark with 20 points.

If Zahui B plays limited minutes or sits, that leaves the Liberty without their primary threat on the boards, which spells good news for Indiana glass crashers like Teaira McCowan (7.4 boards per game), Candice Dupree (5.7) and Natalie Achonwa (5.6). Unlike New York, Indiana's staff hasn't lessened the minutes of its best players down the stretch, despite possessing the second-worst record in the league. New York's league-worst offensive efficiency also signals a fairly large volume of rebounds available, which plays out to the tune of a slate-high 37.2 per game for opposing teams. That number could balloon in the absence of Zahui B. Julie Allemand's price checks in surprisingly low on FanDuel despite coming off of a 19-point performance against the Aces, so she may be a name worth keeping in mind for this one as well. It was the two Mitchell's, Tiffany Mitchell (19) and Kelsey Mitchell (18) who paved the way in the scoring column for Indiana the last time the two clubs faced.

Las Vegas Aces vs Minnesota Lynx

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Las Vegas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Kelsey PlumGAchillesOUT5/1/2021
Liz CambageCPersonalOUT5/1/2021
Ji-Su ParkCPersonalOUT5/1/2021

Minnesota

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Lexie BrownGConcussionOUT9/12/2020
Sylvia FowlesCCalfOUT9/14/2020
Maya MooreFPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Cecilia ZandalasiniGPersonalOUT6/1/2021
Jessica ShepardCKneeSUSP6/1/2021

2020 Player Stats

Las Vegas

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTA
Kayla McBrideLVAG1925.711.92.52.11.20.13.127.63.7
Sugar RodgersLVAG1912.53.81.31.50.30.1333.30.2
Dearica HambyLVAF1927.513.272.21.70.21.546.43.1
Angel McCoughtryLVAF1920.814.35.12.41.40.31.440.73.6
Lindsay AllenLVAG18143.41.32.40.40.10.931.30.5
Jackie YoungLVAG1925.511.34.13.10.80.10.627.32.8
Danielle RobinsonLVAG1921.86.82.23.20.80.10.5301.7
Megan HuffLVAF42.800.30000.300
A'ja WilsonLVAF1931.920.48.81.91.21.8007
Carolyn SwordsLVAC1917.62.84.510.20.1000.7
Avery Warley-TalbertLVAF382.72.7100001
Cierra BurdickLVAF112.50.40.50.200000

Minnesota

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTA
Crystal DangerfieldMinG2029.615.91.93.60.90.14.933.72.8
Damiris DantasMinC2026.312.862.41.30.34432.7
Lexie BrownMinG17226.41.92.41.803.126.91.4
Napheesa CollierMinF2033.915.893.31.91.22.236.43.7
Rachel BanhamMinG1815.65.71.320.50.12.242.50.8
Bridget CarletonMinG2025.76.83.62.40.702501.4
Odyssey SimsMinG1118.19.1230.50.11.726.32.9
Karima Christmas-KellyMinG212.54.530.51.50.51.504
Mikiah Herbert HarriganMinF1911.43.92.20.40.40.41.548.30.4
Shenise JohnsonMinG1512.14.621.30.90.1133.31.5
Erica McCallMinF179.22.62.50.20.30.40.233.31.3
Sylvia FowlesMinC72414.69.70.90.91.1004.1
Kayla AlexanderMinC155.82.310.20.10.2000.5
Megan HuffMinF31.7010.300000

The Skinny

While all three games sit around the same expected scoring totals Thursday, this is the matchup that features two teams sitting above the .500 mark. Both clubs sport offensive and defensive efficiencies in the top four, with Minnesota ranking fourth in both categories and the Aces second in both, though the paces differ widely. Minnesota typically slows the game down, sporting the second-slowest pace in the league, while the Aces do the opposite thanks to short possessions, owning the second-fastest. Neither team gives up much on the glass, so it may be a case where both sides see a drop in rebounding numbers. Bucking that notion the last time the two teams met was Napheesa Collier, who finished with a season-high 14 boards to go along with 21 points. As a whole, however, each side fell below its season average for rebounds per game. With Lexie Brown set to miss a second straight game, Odyssey Sims will likely see fairly strong minutes again. Sims has seemingly found her shooting stroke again, turning in three straight double-digit scoring efforts.

Las Vegas thrived in the last contest versus the Lynx thanks to A'ja Wilson and Angel McCoughtry, and Kayla McBride, who combined for 61 of the team's 87 points. Jackie Young also had a nice game, supplying 16 points off the bench, which adds up to 77 of the team's 87. Young has seen her minutes increase since then and is coming into her own on the offensive end of the floor, averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 assists and 5.5 boards per game over the last four. The lack of rebounds may hurt Wilson and McCoughtry's value a bit, but a high number of opposing blocks, on average, could make up for some of the difference for Wilson. She tallied four denials against the Lynx in the only other clash this season.

Washington Mystics vs Los Angeles Sparks

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Washington

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Stella JohnsonGAnkleOUT9/12/2020
Aerial PowersFHamstringOUT1/1/2021
Tina CharlesFIllnessOUT1/1/2021
Elena Delle DonneFBackOUT1/1/2021
Natasha CloudGPersonalOUT1/1/2021
LaToya SandersCPersonalOUT1/1/2021

Los Angeles

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Brittney SykesGAbdomenGTD9/10/2020
Sydney WieseGAnkleOUT9/12/2020
Tierra Ruffin-PrattGShoulderOUT9/12/2020
Leonie FiebichFNot Injury RelatedOUT1/1/2021
Kristi ToliverGPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Chiney OgwumikeFPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Maria VadeevaCSuspensionSUSP5/1/2021

2020 Player Stats

Washington

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTA
Ariel AtkinsWasG1930.514.42.72.21.50.34.742.72.9
Aerial PowersWasF629.816.34.82.51.504.334.65
Leilani MitchellWasG19309.52.75.30.70.14.132.51.8
Tianna HawkinsWasF1619.88.63.610.80.43.429.11.6
Myisha Hines-AllenWasF1929.515.98.72.51.30.22.837.72.3
Stella JohnsonWasG518.89.222.410.42.864.31
Emma MeessemanWasC1731.613.25.64.21.20.82.5311.9
Jacki GemelosWasG916.93.31.71.20.20.12.418.20.4
Essence CarsonWasG1016.84.31.80.50.50.12.326.10.6
Kiara LeslieWasG1619.95.32.81.20.50.32.2400.6
Shey PeddyWasG912.83.61.21.20.801.713.31.3
Sug SuttonWasG910.63.30.81.10.101.635.70.8
Alaina CoatesWasC179.62.22.60.50.20.1001.4

Los Angeles

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTA
Riquna WilliamsLAG1920.910.81.71.41.20.44.843.50.6
Sydney WieseLAG1919.16.81.71.20.60.12.847.20.6
Chelsea GrayLAG2030.414.13.55.21.50.12.732.12.3
Brittney SykesLAG1924.510.32.52.21.60.32.433.33.2
Candace ParkerLAF2029.714.89.44.51.21.22.145.23.5
Te'a CooperLAG1816.87.20.920.701.434.61.9
Seimone AugustusLAG19166.21.91.30.60.11.157.10.3
Nneka OgwumikeLAF1625.312.64.61.70.90.10.853.82.9
Tierra Ruffin-PrattLAG1714.82.92.10.90.60.20.846.21.5
Marie GulichLAC1110.82.61.60.60.40.30.300.3
Kristine AnigweLAF1512.15.22.90.30.70.5001.7
Reshanda GrayLAF106.21.42.80.30.10.4000.7

The Skinny

Capping off the night are two depleted teams, with the Mystics playing all season without the majority of their roster and the Sparks missing some and dealing with a plethora of injuries. Washington lands as the largest underdog on the slate at eight points, resulting in the lowest expected scoring total on the slate. If the Mystics want to keep things close, they will need to work the ball around and connect from deep, as the Sparks surrender a slate-high 19.7 assists per game to go along with 8.3 three-point makes, also the highest of the six teams in action Thursday. To go along with that, bigs on both sides can anticipate a slight uptick in board numbers given that both sides typically struggle in that area. For the Mystics, Emma Meesseman and Myisha Hines-Allen are the primary players who can contribute in all three facets mentioned, and it resulted in just one of two double-doubles on the season for Meesseman the last time the two sides met. The offense will likely need to run through her Thursday. Myisha Hines-Allen also stands to benefit and is coming off of two double-doubles in the last three games. Ariel Atkins led the way the last time the two clubs met, but that came courtesy of an 8-for-11 shooting night from the field.

In a similar vein, the Sparks can expect a slight influx of rebounding numbers Thursday as well. While Candace Parker didn't see the direct benefit of that the last time around, she and Nneka Ogwumike, who posted a season-high eight boards Tuesday, seem the likely candidates to see those numbers increase. In the backcourt, Riquna Williams should be in line for heavy usage again with Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, Sydney Wiese and possibly Brittney Sykes sidelined. Te'a Cooper may also be in line for a hefty workload, while Seimone Augustus could supply plenty of minutes off the bench. Kristine Anigwe could also be an intriguing option coming off of a career-high 14 points. Her additional playing time could depend on the status of Sykes, so that's a situation to keep an eye on. Like the Sparks, the Mystics are prone to giving up plenty of three-pointers, allowing 8.0 per contest. This is another checkmark in the area of Williams, who leads the team with 4.8 three-point attempts and 2.1 makes per contest.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Chris Benzine plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Crispy272001, DraftKings: Crispy27.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Benzine
Chris is the college football editor and the Kansas City Chiefs beat writer. He's a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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