WNBA DFS Lineup Advice – 8/12/2018 Main Slate (Fanduel and DraftKings)
By EJ Whelan
Welcome to the Sunday edition of WNBA DFS Lineup Advice, a fantasy basketball column dedicated to finding you the best key players and value picks on today’s slate to build your lineups around
Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the first article of the day, now we have a few more WNBA games to cover for the evening slate. The games both start at 7 p.m. – which is nice because we won’t have to do any guessing about starting lineups before lock. There’s a lot on the line for some teams tonight, with the exception of the Storm who have secured home-court advantage and a second-round bye throughout the playoffs. The last time they did that they won the title in 2010. I could talk about Seattle all day, but let’s jump into the slate, find some key players and value picks to build our lineups around, and go win some money!!!
For those of you stopping by for the first time, I would like to thank you for checking out WNBA DFS Lineup Advice here at FantasyCPR.com Here is a brief summary of what I cover in each article:
- Where to Play (Websites, contest rules, and prizes)
- Game Times, O/U, Spreads from Oddshark.com
- Key players from each game
- Value picks from each game
- Team stats from WNBA.com
- Player projections from LineStarApp.com
- Final Thoughts on the slate. (Stacks, fades, injuries, etc.)
It’s important to remember these articles are just a first look at the slate. For injury updates, starting lineups, pictures of my dog, and any other WNBA DFS news throughout the day – follow me on Twitter @whelan_ej
WNBA DFS – WHERE TO PLAY
Fanduel – $4.44 entry fee (150 max) 8,043 total entries 1st place prize – $5,000
DraftKings – $10 entry fee (52 max) 1,764 total entries 1st place prize – $3,000
Parker has been racking up fantasy points since returning from the All-Star break. The Sparks sit a game and a half ahead of Phoenix in the standings and currently hold onto a first-round bye. The Mercury have lost six out of their last eight games, including losses to the Sky and Aces. Which key players and value picks from this game do you want for your WNBA DFS lineups tonight? Keep reading to find out.
7 p.m. ET Los Angeles Sparks (18-12) vs. Phoenix Mercury (17-14) 161.5 O/U PHO -1
LOS – Off rating 101.6 Def rating 98.4 Pace 77.7 Off ppg 79.3 Def ppg 76.9
PHO – Off rating 105.2 Def rating 102.6 Pace 80.2 Off ppg 84.8 Def ppg 83
Key Players:
Candace Parker – I’m not sure what to expect out of Parker tonight. She has been red hot lately but nothing lasts forever (just ask my houseplants) and it seems like Parker’s run of good fortune could come to an end tonight. LineStar has her projected to score 48.83 points on DraftKings today. LA wants to hold onto to their #4 seed and they should come out swinging tonight. I want a good amount of exposure to Parker but I’m not locking her in.
Brittney Griner – Griner only played about 20 minutes last game as the Mercury were able to defeat the Fever easily 94-74 without her. The matchup isn’t the best but I expect this game to stay close and she should see the court enough tonight to make her a viable option for your lineups. Phoenix doesn’t really have anyone else to lean on in the paint and Griner should get a full workload tonight.
Dianna Taurasi – I’m not big on Taurasi today. She has one of the tougher matchups on the board against a stout LA defense. She’s a little pricey on DraftKings and I would rather save some salary cap and play Chelsea Gray on there. It’s the same story on Fanduel. I won’t have too much exposure to the stars on Phoenix today.
Value Picks: Riquna Williams (FD & DK) Briann January (FD & DK)
Jewell Loyd has played under 24 minutes in her last two games. I don’t expect her to see much court time tonight either, and won’t be rostering her in my lineups. Jordin Canada has filled in nicely off the bench and should be a solid value option on the slate to pivot down to. Injuries have opened up some options on the other side of the ball, like Tanisha Wright.
7 p.m. ET Seattle Storm ( 23-8) vs. Minnesota Lynx (17-13) TBD
SEA – Off rating 108.3 Def rating 98.3 Pace 80.4 Off ppg 87.6 Def ppg 80.4
MIN – Off rating 99.3 Def rating 98.9 Pace 78.5 Off ppg 78.6 Def ppg 77
Key Players:
Breanna Stewart – Stewie won’t be needed much tonight. Much like Loyd, she has been taking a break recently, only playing 22 minutes in their last game. The clear favorite for the MVP award this year will get some time to relax before the playoffs. I won’t be rostering her tonight in my lineups, Crystal Langhorne played 20 minutes last game, and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis got 15. They are both in play for me today, but I also like Courtney Paris who will be lower owned and will be needed to match up with some of the bigger bodies on MIN.
Sylvia Fowles – Fowles is in a good spot today, especially if she spends most of her time on the court against Seattle’s bench. LineStar has her projected to score 40 points today on Fanduel. I think that is a little low and I want as much as I can fit of her into my lineups.
Maya Moore – Moore has scored over 30 points in her last two games and should be heavily relied upon again today. The Lynx have won both of those games, and I expect them to have no problem getting another W today at home. I have no problem stacking Fowles and Moore together today on a short slate full stars who won’t see much court time.
Value Picks: Jordin Canada (FD & DK) Crystal Langhorne (FD & DK) Courtney Paris (FD &DK )
K. Mosqueda-Lewis (FD & DK) Tanisha Wright (FD & DK) *If Robinson misses
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Final Thoughts
- There is a lot of value to be had in the SEA/MIN game. Stack it, then stack it again.
- There is no point total or spread on the SEA/MIN game yet, but I will take MIN in most scenarios.
- Fade the usual starters for the Storm (Loyd, Bird, Stewart, Clark, Howard)
- If you want to take a few stars from the LA/PHO game and mix them in with some punt plays from the other game I like that idea. I don’t want much exposure to Phoenix’s bench.
- Injuries that could impact the slate: Rebekkah Brunson (Out), Danielle Robinson (Out), Lindsey Whalen (rested last 2 games, should play a little)
Next. Early Slate WNBA DFS Picks. dark