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WNBA Daily Fantasy Lineup Picks, Betting Picks (5/5/22): WNBA DFS Advice for DraftKings and FanDuel, Best Bets

WNBA dfs lineup picks daily fantasy basketball stock

Justin Carter's top daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks and betting picks for 5/5/22. Expert WNBA DFS advice, sleepers & player recommendations for DraftKings and FanDuel as well as best bets for this slate of games.

Welcome back to the WNBA! Friday is the first night of regular season WNBA action, with four games on the docket.

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 5/5/22. These lineups picks will range from elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. The slate locks on 5/5/2022 at 7:00 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.

 

WNBA DFS Lineup Picks: Guard

Skylar Diggins-Smith (Phoenix Mercury) - vs Aces - DK: $9,700, FD: $7,400

The biggest WNBA storyline heading into the season is Brittney Griner, as she is currently being detained in Russia on drug charges.

Without Griner available, the Mercury will need to find other sources of offense. A lot of that will come from the team's new addition, Tina Charles, but because of her age and previous wear, I wouldn't be shocked to see Charles play five or so fewer minutes per game than Griner did last year.

The team also has some serious depth issues at guard and SDS's backcourt mate, Diana Taurasi, is 39 and likely will play fewer than her 28.4 minutes per game last year.

This all adds up to Diggins-Smith, who averaged 17.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game, seeing a slight jump in her usage rate this year, which was already 25%. I expect Diggins-Smith to consistently be the top fantasy guard this season.

Gabby Williams (Seattle Storm) - vs Lynx - DK: $6,600 FD: $4,600 - Note: Williams is listed at Guard on FanDuel and Forward on DraftKings

I really love the value here on Williams. She last played in 2020, when she averaged 7.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in a reserve role for the Sky. Now, she's either the starting three or the Sixth Woman on this Storm team, which will lead to increased offensive responsibility. The big concern I have is that Williams has always struggled with her three-point shot, something that has to be fixed for her to maximize her value with the Storm. Friday is the beginning of the path toward seeing if she can be a major contributor for this team.

Rachel Banham (Minnesota Lynx) - @ Storm - DK: $5,100, FD: $3,100

The Lynx moved on from Crystal Dangerfield and Layshia Clarendon this past week, plus Kayla McBride hasn't reported yet. That backcourt is...iffy.

But reports were that Banham was getting training camp run at the point guard and based on the construction of this roster, we're going to see her on the floor a lot in the early going. Odyssey Sims will likely start at the one, but Banham will back up both guard spots until McBride returns.

 

WNBA DFS Lineup Picks: Forward

Sylvia Fowles (Minnesota Lynx) - @ Storm - DK: $10,300, FD: $8,500

With no Napheesa Collier, the Lynx will need to rely even more heavily than usual on Sylvia Fowles, who is starting her final WNBA season.

Fowles averaged 1.13 points per possession last year with Collier off the floor while posting a 27.6 usage rate in those minutes. By contrast, when she played with Collier, her usage rate was 21.1 with 1.05 points per possession. I expect Fowles to dominate this season.

Emma Meesseman (Chicago Sky) -  vs Sparks - DK: $9,500, FD: $6,400

Last time we saw Meesseman was 2020, when she started 20 games for the Mystics and averaged 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.

Now, she heads to Chicago, where she'll need to help make up for the lost offensive production from Stef Dolson and Diamond DeShields. A Meesseman and Candace Parker frontcourt is really interesting and probably lacks the size to play as many minutes together as you'd like, but I think the DFS salary on Meeseman is low enough after her missed 2021 season that I'll take a risk on her.

Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm) - vs Lynx - DK: 7,200, FD: $4,700

Mercedes Russell missed all of training camp and barring some very unforeseen thing, she won't be on the floor on Friday night for the Storm.

That likely pushes Magbegor into the starting lineup at the five. The third-year Australian has shown a lot of potential in her career but just hasn't really gotten the minutes to show all that she can do. Last year, she started three games and averaged 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in those starts, so this is a good player to take a chance on.

 

WNBA Betting Picks for 5/5/2022

Looking to make some WNBA bets? Let's look at some options for you.

Washington Mystics Moneyline (-280)

This is the obvious pick of this slate, but sometimes you've got to take the easy money. The spread of 7.5 is a little high for me just because of the uncertainty about how healthy the Mystics are, but the Fever have five rookies on their roster and are going to lose a ton of games this year, so betting on them to lose is going to be a winning strategy all season.

Las Vegas Aces Spread (-3.5)

The Mercury don't have Brittney Griner to start the season because of her detainment in Russia. They also don't have Brianna Turner and Diamond DeShields because both players are still playing overseas.

Factor in that the Mercury already had a lack of depth before these absences and you get a team that'll likely get off to a slow start. I don't see how they can effectively slow down this Aces team, so I'm taking Vegas to win by at least 3.5.

Minnesota Lynx Spread (+7)

Seattle starts the season without center Mercedes Russell and faces a Lynx team that has Sylvia Fowles at the five. I think it'll be a long day for the Storm on the interior. Minnesota might not win, but it'll keep this one close throughout.

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

MLB

Billy Carlson Goes 10th Overall to White Sox
Cincinnati Reds

Steele Hall Selected Ninth by Cincinnati
Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays Select JoJo Parker with Eighth Overall Pick
Boston Celtics

Damian Lillard Drawing Interest from the Celtics
Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins Select Aiva Arquette with Seventh Overall Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates Select Seth Hernandez with Sixth Overall Pick
Kyle Stowers

Punishes Former Team with Three-Homer Game
St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Select Liam Doyle with Fifth Overall Pick
Daniel Gafford

Agrees to Contract Extension with Dallas
Colorado Rockies

Rockies Select Ethan Holliday Fourth Overall
Seattle Mariners

Kade Anderson Selected Third Overall by Seattle
Los Angeles Angels

Tyler Bremner Selected Second Overall by Angels in 2025 MLB Draft
Washington Nationals

Nationals Select Eli Willits First Overall
Cooper Flagg

Shut Down for Rest of Summer League
LeBron James

Hasn't Requested a Trade
Quinshon Judkins

Following Quinshon Judkins Arrest, NFL Declines Comment
Travis Hunter

Earning Praise in Jaguars Camp for Work Ethic
Memphis Grizzlies

Cole Anthony, Grizzlies Agree to Contract Buyout
Edward Cabrera

Hopeful to Avoid Injured List
Oneil Cruz

Absent on Sunday
Lars Nootbaar

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Jake Burger

Scratched on Sunday
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Back in Action on Sunday
Sean Manaea

Reinstated From Injured List
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Julius Chestnut

Kalel Mullings Competing for RB3 Role
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
Carlos Correa

Returns to Twins Lineup
Connor Norby

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Kimani Vidal

Fighting for No. 3 Job
Cam Hart

Recovering From Shoulder Surgery
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
Quentin Johnston

Might Not Get Many Chances to Prove Himself
Tre Harris

Officially a Holdout
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Should Move Up on Sunday
Ross Chastain

is a Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Josh Berry

Should Be Avoided in Fantasy at Sonoma
Chris Buescher

is A Great DFS Option to Consider for Sonoma Lineups
Riley Herbst

a Deep Sleeper at Sonoma
Joey Logano

May be A Sneaky DFS Option Who Can Pay Off for Sonoma Lineups
Austin Cindric

Could Austin Cindric Work for DFS Lineups at Sonoma?
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Worth Rostering For Sonoma DFS Lineups?
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek A Sneaky DFS Play for Sonoma?
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Probably More Valuable for DFS If He Doesn't Flip the Stage
Alec Bohm

Unlikely to Play on Sunday
Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Brady House

Homers Twice on Saturday
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
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