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WNBA action rolls along today with a two-game slate. The Wings take on the Liberty and the Dream take on the Fever. It's not the best slate on paper, but there are some intriguing storylines to keep up with.
Just as I have for the last couple of years, I'll be providing daily fantasy lineup picks for the WNBA this season here at RotoBaller. But because I also moved to a state with legalized sports betting earlier this year, I'll be sprinkling in some basic betting picks. Not going to get complicated since there's limited space in this piece, but I'll throw you a bet or two each day that I like.
In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/15/22. These lineups picks will range from elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. The slate locks on 5/15/2022 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Want to talk more about the WNBA? I'm always available on Twitter and always down to discuss women's basketball: @juscarts.
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WNBA DFS Lineup Picks: Guard
Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty) - vs DAL - DK: $10,900, FD: $6,800
Weird start for Ionescu, who has two outstanding games but then also was 0-for-5 from the floor against the Sky. Could it be the home/away splits? If so, then you'll want to get her in your lineup for a home game against the Wings, a team with some concerns on defense. In two home games, Ionescu is averaging 28.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 44.4% from deep. Her highs are among the highest ones in the league. Her lows are just a little too concerning for her to be a must-play every night, but on a short slate and at home, I'll take her.
Marina Mabrey (Dallas Wings) - @ NY - DK: $7,700 FD: $6,700
This Mabrey play is really about Tyasha Harris, who is questionable for this game with an ankle injury. Harris had her best game as a pro on Friday and was running the offense so well that the team had to keep her on the floor. The result of that was fewer minutes for Mabrey, who had kind of taken on that secondary ball-handler role. If Harris is out, Mabrey should get more minutes like she did in the opener, when she was 8-for-16 from the floor in 24 minutes.
Aari McDonald (Atlanta Dream) - @ IND - DK: $6,100, FD: $3,700
It feels like McDonald's WNBA career is just a series of false starts. She had a couple of good games against Minnesota last year, then was right back to being on the fringe of the rotation afterward. She had a couple of good games in August, then right back to the fringes.
After not doing much in the first two games of the season, the Dream gave McDonald 30 minutes against Vegas. She responded with 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting (5-for-7 from three) and also added two rebounds, two assists and two steals. If this team learned a lesson and is going to play McDonald over Kristy Wallace, then she'll offer some nice fantasy value.
WNBA DFS Lineup Picks: Forward
NaLyssa Smith (Indiana Fever) - vs ATL - DK: $8,700, FD: $8,300
The rookie has looked pretty good this season, averaging 11.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. She's coming off of her best game, grabbing 17 boards against the Liberty on Friday. The familiarity of starting Smith and her former Baylor teammate Queen Egbo has really worked.
Smith gets an enticing matchup here against a Dream team that's been playing small, with Nia Coffey at the four. She should be able to use her strength to take advantage on both ends.
Cheyenne Parker (Atlanta Dream) - @ IND - DK: $8,500, FD: $7,800
Parker's shot has been a little off, but she's averaging the most field goal attempts per game of her career. Overall, she's at 9.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, plus 2.3 blocks and 1.0 steals. Parker's versatility should come in handy in this game, as I'm not sure that rookie Queen Egbo (or backup five Alanna Smith) will be able to do much to contain her.
Kayla Thornton (Dallas Wings) - @ NY - DK: $7,600, FD: $7,200
Did you think that the addition of Teaira McCowan would disrupt the frontcourt here? Well...McCowan played just a couple of minutes in her first game back, and Thornton's value is more at the four, which McCowan won't play. Satou Sabally's return will push Thornton into a reserve role, but until then, expect 25-plus minutes per night for the former UTEP Miner, who was 4-for-9 with 12 points and seven rebounds against the Mystics. She's a solid option whose role gives her a nice fantasy floor.
WNBA Betting Picks for 5/15/2022
Looking to make some WNBA bets? Let's look at some options for you.
Dallas Wings Spread (-1.5)
The Wings looked lost in their season opener, but then beat the Mystics on Friday, coming back from an early deficit and finally showcasing why this offense is so dangerous. The Liberty opened the season by beating Connecticut, but then were blown out by the Sky and were lucky to take Friday's loss to the Fever to overtime. Dallas looks like the more complete team right now and with the spread being this small, I'm inclined to take them, even though I expect a really competitive game.
Atlanta Dream Spead (-1)
This is basically a pick-em. The Fever have looked much better than expected, but this is still a team made up largely of rookies. I'm not able to trust the Fever with a spread this small. Atlanta's Rhyne Howard has been the league's top rookie and the team has other talented players like Erica Wheeler and Cheyenne Parker. Just a more complete team than Indiana.
