The WNBA concludes its 40-game season on Tuesday, with many fans anticipating the professional debuts of rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
There’s never been a better time to look at winning totals and find value in the futures market.
Let’s take a look back at the two preseason finalists and find out about the third team that has the potential to surpass our predictions for victory.
New York Liberty Under 30.5 wins (-110, BetMGM)
After going 32-8 in the regular season last year and losing to the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Finals, Liberty is looking to take another step forward.
Forwards Brianna Stewart and Jonquel Jones and guards Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot all return to the team.
In addition, forward Kennedy Burke and guard Jaylin Sherrod should add depth to the bench.
Nevertheless, the question remains whether this roster has enough presence on the interior.
Liberty had a good run last season, but ranked in the bottom half of the league in points scored in the paint.
And in the finals, they struggled to contain the Aces’ frontcourt players.
New York may rely too much on perimeter shooting, leading to unexpected losses for lesser teams.
Considering the improvement in talent across the league, the gap between the top teams and the bottom teams is not as wide as it has been in recent years.
I hope Liberty takes a slight step back and falls under 30.5 total wins.
Las Vegas Aces 32.5 wins or more (-115, BetRivers)
The Aces run a top-notch organization led by general manager Natalie Williams and head coach Becky Hammon.
Like Liberty, the Aces’ core is essentially intact, with A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plumb and Jackie Young looking for a third straight title.
Nevertheless, the team’s offseason strategy centered around adding additional depth to the frontcourt with forward Emma Cannon and center Megan Gustafsson.
Las Vegas shrewdly acquired Gustafsson, who was on the Liberty roster last season, but this could further weaken inland New York.
As a result, the Aces are trying to distance themselves further from their biggest rivals.
It’s hard to find weaknesses in the Aces roster, which has led the league in offensive and defensive efficiency while boasting a +15.3 net rating.
They were also a top-three shooting team on the perimeter and in the paint.
If anything, they’ve gotten even better this season, so we should expect more of the same from last year’s 34-win performance.
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Minnesota Lynx 16.5 wins or more (-140, BetMGM)
The Lynx’s win total suggests this roster is worse than last season.
Nevertheless, Minnesota could be one of the surprises this season.
There’s nothing flashy about the Lynx, but they’re a team with a low chance of winning.
Nafeesa Collier has emerged as a bona fide leader, and Natisha Heedemann should provide a much-needed threat on the perimeter.
Minnesota has a rich history in this league and is known for exceeding expectations.
Similar to the NBA’s Timberwolves, the Lynx likely won’t get much national coverage and therefore won’t get much attention.
This win total is short at 16.5 and slightly high at -140, but it’s a play well worth considering.
