WNBA Daily Fantasy preview

Injuries and EuroBasket! Oh My!

I’m going to keep this intro short & sweet as we have a tremendous (but large) five-game slate today. Let’s pick some winners!

Los Angeles Sparks @ Indiana Fever

The Sparks are likely without Candace Parker again, as she is doubtful with an ankle injury. Parker’s absence opens up a starting spot for Chiney Ogwumike (8.1k DK, 6.7k FD). Ogwumike was excellent in the beginning of the year, when Parker was still injured. She is a solid play, and could grab a double-double. The Sparks are also without Maria Vadeeva.

On the other side of the court come the Indiana Fever. On this team, my favorite play is whoever starts at center. Last game, it was Teaira McCowan (7.7k, 6.6k), who played incredibly against Liz Cambage. Two games ago, Natalie Achonwa (7k, 5.9k) drew the start, and played high-twenties minutes. Whichever player starts should see 25-30 minutes, which makes them a great value at either price. Luckily, this game is right at lock, and we should get the Fever starting lineup 15-30 minutes before tip.

Minnesota Lynx @ Atlanta Dream

The Lynx are again without the services of Damiris Dantas, so Stephanie Talbot (5.6k, 4.5k) will likely start once more. Talbot’s price is certainly low enough, and she has flashed a high minutes ceiling, with two games of 33 minutes under her belt this year. As well, Danielle Robinson (7.2k, 5.4k) has seen an uptick in minutes recently, and is a great price on FanDuel.

Atlanta finally seems to be getting back to their 2018 form. Renee Montgomery (5.7k, 4.6k) was great in her last game, scoring close to 25 fantasy points, which would be her a great return on her $4600 price. Atlanta is going up against a lower-paced, great defensive team in the Lynx, and there are better options elsewhere.

Phoenix Mercury @ Connecticut Sun

Diana Taurasi is once again questionable for the Mercury as they head into Connecticut. Should she play, it puts a damper on DeWanna Bonner (10.3k, 7.8k) and Brittney Griner’s (11.1k, 8.5k) fantasy prospects. Of course, Griner has been incredible recently, and could put up 30 points and 10 rebounds almost whenever she wants. Briann January (5.3k, 4.1k) also merits consideration, after her 30+ fantasy point explosion against Washington. There is a lot of uncertainty around this rotation if Taurasi is back, however.

Connecticut is led by Jonquel Jones (10k, 7.6k) both in real life and for daily fantasy purposes. Jones has been struggling, and it has helped to depress her price. This lower price comes with risk, however, as Brittney Griner is not exactly a plus matchup. Jasmine Thomas (8.6k, 5.6k) is still such a low price on FanDuel, and she will be one of the cornerstones that I build my lineups around.

New York Liberty @ Chicago Sky

New York comes into this game with a lot of rotation uncertainty as well. Amanda Zahui B. (9.8k, 7.4k) and Bria Hartley (6.5k, 6k) both return from EuroBasket, and should step back into the rotation in some capacity. Rebecca Allen (6k, 4.5k) also returns after an extended absence after a hand injury. These prices definitely seem high, and on a 5 game slate I cannot recommend paying $9800 for such a wide range of minutes. In fact, the only real consideration I will give in this game is to Tina Charles (10.6k, 8k), as she should play 30-35 minutes in a high-paced game.

Chicago has been an enigma recently, with strange rotations and some players underperforming. The matchup with New York is solid, as New York is not one of the better defenses in the WNBA, and also plays at a high pace. Stefanie Dolson (6.4k, 5.1k) sticks out to me as a solid value on FanDuel, while Allie Quigley (7.3k, 6.4k) sticks out as a solid play on DraftKings, where her 3-point shooting can really shine.

Dallas Wings @ Seattle Storm

Dallas will be missing Isabelle Harrison and Azura Stevens in this game. This opens up minutes for EuroBasket returnee Glory Johnson (7.6k, 6.4k) as well as one of Theresa Plaisance (7.1k, 5.7k) or Imani McGee-Stafford (4.1k, 3.4k). I would definitely lean towards Plaisance getting the starting nod, but it is interesting that McGee-Stafford actually played more in the Wings’ last game.

Seattle is once again missing both Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd. To start, Natasha Howard’s (10.5k, 7.7k) FanDuel price seems far too low. She has been one of the most productive players in the WNBA, and should certainly be above $8000. Sami Whitcomb (6.5k, 5.3k) has stepped right into the starting lineup and delivered great production. She is again a solid option, especially on DraftKings, where she will receive 3.5 fantasy points for 3-pointers, instead of just 3 fantasy points on FanDuel.

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WNBA Daily Fantasy preview – July 12, 2019