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The Money Line: May 20 WNBA spreads, totals and analysis, part 1

By Blake DuDonis

DES MOINES, IA - MAY 6: a general view of the WNBA Championships trophies during the game between the Washington Mystics vs the Minnesota Lynx in a WNBA pre-season game on May 6, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jason Bradwell/NBAE via Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IA - MAY 6: a general view of the WNBA Championships trophies during the game between the Washington Mystics vs the Minnesota Lynx in a WNBA pre-season game on May 6, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jason Bradwell/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dallas Wings (-4, -105)
Atlanta Dream
Total: 161.1, -110

Oh Dallas. No team in the league leave me scratching my head more than the Wings. Four game losing streak where the offense is a mess? They’ll come out the next game against one of the best team’s in the league and hang 110 on them. Win five of six and look to be catching a rhythm? They’ll shoot sub 30% in a bad loss at home.

Admittedly, those scenarios were things I think happened last season but I didn’t fact check it. Point is, that is what it felt like happened. That said, I’m actually trying to compliment the Wings. Skylar Diggins-Smith is fantastic, of course, but there are so many other players on this team that make them some dangerous. Glory Johnson is a rebounding machine (6th best rebounding percentage in the league last year) and she also is not to be trifled with. (She also just came down with a knee injury that will keep her out for a few weeks. Bummer) Reigning WNBA rookie of the year Allisha Gray (who I said prior to last year would win the award. Boom) and her former college teammate Kaela Davis both had moments of brilliance last season.  Azurá Stevens and Liz Cambage both come into the season with huge expectations. Stevens never fully met her potential in college, but her skill set and 6’6 frame lets your imagination wander, while Cambage comes from Australia with a big-time reputation. It was their defense that let them down last season (88.8 ppg given up was the most in the league). If they can become passable on that end of the floor, they can beat anyone.

Atlanta is another team that is hard to get a read on, but I feel pretty confident saying they are pretty darn good. New head coach Nicki Collen has spoken a desire to play more up-tempo and her roster seems to be more than capable of doing so. All-Pro Angel McCoughtry is back after a sabbatical of sorts, and All-Rookie team member Brittney Sykes will look to build on her impressive first year.  Rounding out the rest of the starting lineup is Tiffany Hayes, Elizabeth Williams, and Layshia Clarendon. Yeah, they are pretty good. Last season, in contrast to Dallas, the offense of Atlanta was an issue. Their 78.9 ppg were third fewest, while their true shooting and effective field goal percentages were dead last. Adding McCoughtry back to the fold (a career 19.5 ppg scorer) will certainly help and a new offensive scheme under Collen will as well. The team added Jessica Breland and Renee Montgomery in the offseason. If they are able to make an impact off the bench in a meaningful way, I believe that could propel Atlanta high up the standings and deep into the playoffs.

For tonight, while I like Dallas a lot, that four point spread is too tempting for me to pass up. Give me Atlanta and give me the over.

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