WNBA: Who's Hot, Who's Not
by Vegas Sports Informer - 06/23/2007
We are over a month through the 2007 WNBA season and so far there are some big surprises throughout the league. We've started out hot in the first week in the WNBA and now the oddsmakers have adjusted so now it's time for some serious handicapping. Here is my list from top to bottom of the best and worst teams in the league. I will also note any good or bad trends or teams to stay away from.
VSI's Top-to-Bottom WNBA Teams:
1. Indiana Fever (9-2 SU, 8-3 ATS)
The Fever was my pick to win it all before the season started and they are still the No. 1 team in my opinion. Tamika Catchings is the equivalent to Tim Duncan for the Spurs. She is an automatic double-double lately, and she is working on a MVP season. In their last six games the Fever are 5-1 straight up and against the spread.
2. Detroit Shock (9-1 SU, 6-3 ATS)
Granted the Shock have the best record in the league and are one hottest teams as of today they are still beatable. You are probably asking yourself why is the best team in the WNBA right now beatable? A not-so 100 percent healthy Cheryl Ford is the main reason and three of their next four are on the road. However, Detroit is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS on the road this year.
3. Sacramento Monarchs (8-3 SU, 6-4-1 ATS)
The best in the West will still come out in the state of California. Sacramento will be the team to beat in the West as long as the Monarchs can continue playing tough defense. Sacramento has won five of their last six games. Three of their last four have gone under the total. The Monarchs are a good team to bet under the total.
4. San Antonio Silver Stars (6-4 SU, 5-5 ATS)
The Silver Stars started off the season red hot but lately they have cooled off. San Antonio has a tough three game road trip coming up going to New York, then Connecticut, and then finishing off in Houston. San Antonio should win at least one of those road games. Saturday's Connecticut game should be a good one. San Antonio is 9-19 ATS when playing on Saturdays.
5. New York Liberty (7-4 SU, 7-4 ATS)
New York started off the season with five straight wins but recently have lost four of the last six games. New York lives and dies from 3-point land so if they don't hit the three they are in trouble in every game. One thing New York has to improve on is rebounding. NY is getting out rebounded by 4.6 boards per game. New York has gone over the total in four of their last five.
6. Phoenix Mercury (7-6 SU, 6-7 ATS)
The Phoenix Mercury squad can look like a Championship team one night and the next night they can look like a JV High School team. Phoenix averages 84 points per game but this Mercury team doesn't play any defense. When this team is hot they can beat anybody like they did at Indiana last week but when they are off they stink, like when they lost to Washington twice this year. Phoenix is 7-3 ATS against Eastern Conference teams.
7. Chicago Sky (6-6, SU, 8-4 ATS)
Who would of thought that the Chicago Sky would have more wins this year then all of last year? Chicago has had three big wins the last couple of weeks, winning at San Antonio, New York at home and at Connecticut. If Chicago can continue to get good play from Candice Dupree they could be a sleeper in the East. Chicago has covered their last three games.
8. Seattle Storm (5-5 SU, 5-5 ATS)
Seattle has some big wins but the Storm also have some terrible losses. This Seattle team has to be the most disappointing team in the West through my eyes. Seattle just lost at home by double-digits to Detroit this week. If the Storm continue to struggle they will be watching the playoffs at home. Seattle is 1-3 SU and ATS on the road this year.
9. Los Angeles Sparks (5-5 SU, 4-6 ATS)
So far the 2007 season has not been what the doctor has ordered for the Sparks. First they lost Lisa Lesile due to the birth of her first child and, secondly, Chamique Holdsclaw retired last week. LA is due for a long season this year without those two All-Stars. Los Angeles has lost their last three games and failed to cover those also.
10. Minnesota Lynx (3-10 SU, 6-4 ATS)
Despite their horrible start of the year, there is a glimmer of hope for this Minnesota team. Minnesota has won two out of their last three games and have covered five out of their last six.
11. Connecticut Sun (4-7 SU, 4-7 ATS)
Here is my most disappointing team of the year so far. How the Mighty have fallen in Connecticut. This Sun team seems to be in a bad habit of getting down early in games and having to play from behind the whole contest. I can't see this Sun team struggling all year so I do believe they will make the playoffs. Connecticut is 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
12. Washington Mystics (2-9 SU, 3-8 ATS)
If Washington played Phoenix all year then maybe they could make the playoffs. Washington's only wins this year were against Phoenix. Alana Beard is the only bright spot on this team. This Mystics squad is one to fade.
13. Houston Comets (1-11 SU, 3-8-1 ATS)
There's so much winning tradition in Houston it's hard to watch this team struggle. Granted the Comets finally received their first victory on Wednesday against Los Angeles. Despite all of the struggles, All-Star forward Tina Thompson is having another great season. Houston has gone under the total in eight of the last nine games.
Check back later for more articles in the WNBA. And even though we are betting on women's hoops money is always green no matter what. It all adds up in wallet!!!!