Top WNBA Picks and Predictions Today (Sky, Aces' Offense to Erupt Following Game 1 Losses)

WNBA semifinal action returns tonight as both sets of Game 2's get underway from Chicago and Las Vegas, respectively.

The Aces and Sky were each sizable favorites entering their semifinals matchups, but following both of their Game 1 losses at home, the odds have since flipped. The 4-seeded Seattle Storm is now a slight series favorite over the Aces heading into Game 2, while the Connecticut Sun are sizable favorites vs. the defending champs, coming in at -164 to win the series at FanDuel.

How should bettors approach both of these two matchups tonight?

Let’s get into today’s games, as well as our best bets!

WNBA Best Bets Record to Date

• WNBA Best Bets Overall Record: 88-80-3
• WNBA Playoffs Record: 7-5-0 (+1.37 U)

WNBA Odds, Spread and Totals for Every Game (Wednesday, August 31)

Connecticut Sun vs. Chicago Sky

• Spread: Sun +5 (-110) | Sky +5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Sun +180 | Sky -220
• Total: 163.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces

• Spread: Storm +5 (-110) | Aces +5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Storm +180 | Aces -220
• Total: 169.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

All odds listed above are via WynnBET Sportsbook

Best WNBA Picks Today

Sun vs. Sky Best Bets

Give the Sun a ton of credit for getting the monkey off their back in Game 1. They shot just over 37% from the floor, but took down a Sky offense averaging 93.7 points a game in the postseason, and held them to 35.3%. Candace Parker was incredible with 19 points, 18 boards, 6 blocks and 5 assists, but the rest of Chicago's lineup struggled to get going offensively.

Connecticut will do everything possible to slow down Chicago again in Game 2, but it's more of "you can't stop them, you can only hope to contain them" type of approach. The Sky have lost two in a row just once this year, with four losses in total in their home building.

As I pointed out in my Game 1 preview, during the two regular season games vs. Connecticut at home, Chicago owned a blazing 135.4 first quarter offensive rating, along with an elite defensive rating of 77.8. Even after losing the first quarter by three at home on Sunday, the Sky remain plus-27 on the year in total first quarter points at home to the Sun.

A bounce back game is on its way for the Sky in Game 2, as Parker gets the help she needs, and the Sky re-assert why they deserve to be the rightful favorites, rather than an underdog series candidate following just one game.

PICK: Sky 1Q -1.5 (-110) |  LEAN: Sky -4.5 (-110) -- now up to -5

Storm vs. Aces Best Bets

Shocking, I know, but I'm going back to the first quarter bets that have been great for us this postseason; going 12-5 ATS in the playoffs.

The Storm's offense has played lights out in the month of August, especially early on. Their first quarter road offensive rating in the regular season was 151.6; more than 34 points higher than the second-best team during that stretch. In the postseason, they've remained on-fire; tied for the best offensive rating with the Aces during the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Vegas aren't won't be held to 15 points in the first quarter again. The last time they scored 15 or less in the first quarter at home was more than a year ago in mid-August to the Washington Mystics.

Even at a season-low in first quarter points, the OVER in the previous game only missed by a point or so, depending on which book you placed your bet at. I'll back some positive regression to the mean for Las Vegas, hitting on more open shots as both teams play at a frenetic pace in the first quarter.

PICK: 1Q OVER 43 (-110)

Follow all of Ben's betting plays in real-time HERE!