2020 WNBA Championship Odds and Expert Predictions
Just like every other pro sport returning to action this week, the WNBA season will be shortened from a 34-game campaign to just 22 games, excluding playoffs. Teams will be living in a bubble in Bradenton, Florida, and games will be contested at the IMG Academy. There will be no fans in attendance, and there will be several big-name players missing from every team top to bottom. Make no mistake about it, this WNBA season is going to be extremely strange. However, we’ve taken the time to break down the favorites, contenders and best of the rest. If you’re looking for expert picks to hold you over for the summer, you can join Doc’s WNBA team as he will be offering up selections from tip-off to the final buzzer. Doc’s was the No.1 handicapper last season, posting profits upwards of $6600. Click here and join now.
WNBA Championship Odds
The Favorites:
Las Vegas Aces +300, Washington Mystics +350
The Washington Mystics may have triumphed last season, but the defending champions have a lot of unanswered questions coming into this new campaign. The big one surrounding the team is the availability of Elena Delle Donne, who tried to opt-out of the season because of health concerns, only to have her application denied. If she suits up, the Mystics will rely on her to carry the load, but if she finds a way to sit out the majority of the games/see limited time, the Mystics are going to struggle. Washington could be without up to six key rotation players as last year’s players Kristi Toliver and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough have changed teams, Tina Charles and LaToya Sanders may not play due to health concerns, and Natasha Cloud is sitting out for personal reasons. Those are several big blows for a team like the Mystics, who have their sights set on repeating. However, it’s never a good idea to write off the champions before the season begins – just look at the Raptors in the NBA as proof.
Like the Mystics, the Aces enter the bubble with some serious firepower of their own set to miss this season. Liz Cambage – who holds the WNBA single-game points record (53) -- opted out of playing this season due to pre-existing health conditions. That’s a big blow for the Aces, and so is the absence of former No.1 overall draft pick, Kelsey Plum, who is missing through a torn achilles. The Aces will be relying on A’Ja Wilson, who finished seventh in league in scoring last year (16.5ppg). They expect Angel McCoughtry to help Wilson out, but that’s a big ask considering McCoughtry hasn’t played in nearly two years. Can she find her game in such a weird environment? I’m banking on that not happening.
The Contenders:
Seattle Storm +400, Connecticut Sun +450, Los Angeles Sparks +650, Phoenix Mercury +650.
As for a team that can flip the odds board on its head, it’s the Phoenix Mercury. They are welcoming back Diana Taurasi for a full season this year after the WNBA’s leading scorer only played in six contests last season. The Mercury went out and acquired Skyler Diggins-Smith to compliment Taurasi and will still rely on Brittney Griner to patrol the paint. On paper, this may be the most talented and complete team. If they can get some chemistry going early, they could very well be a great bet at +650 to grab the title.
The Rest:
Chicago Sky +2000, Minnesota Lynx +3000, New York Liberty +4000, Indiana Fever +6000, Atlanta Dream +10000, Dallas Wings +10000.
If you told me I had to bet on one of these six teams to win the WNBA title or quit betting altogether, I’d be extremely inclined to call it a career and save my bankroll. Every one of these teams is severely flawed, and we just don’t see a way they can contend on neutral courts against the likes of the Aces, Mystics, or Storm. The best option out of the bunch would have to be the Sky since they are returning their dynamic backcourt of Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley. The Sky finished with the third-best record in the East last season and played .500 away from home. They can compete with the best teams and would be our selection if we were taking a chance with a long shot.
On a side note, the Liberty will likely be the team that most will people will want to see in action thanks to new addition, Sabrina Ionescu. She was the No. 1 overall pick out of Oregon and set a bunch of records during her time in Eugene. It’s hard to imagine the Liberty challenging for the title as they went 10-24 last season, but Ionescu’s presence alone should be good for a couple of more wins and some exciting basketball.
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