Best WNBA Player Props Today: Griner Gobbles Up Boards vs Shorthanded Sparks

Prop bet #1: Griner’s grind

The Los Angeles Sparks continue to miss the presence of Cameron Brink on the inside, but they’re going to feel her absence more than ever when they square off against Brittney Griner on Friday night. 

The 6-foot-7 Li Yueru, Brinks' nominal replacement, is one of the rare W players who can actually match up with Griner, at least in terms of height. But she’s played fewer than 40 games in the W since getting drafted in 2019 and didn’t play in the league at all last season. Curt Miller will not trust her to play major minutes and it’s asking a lot for her to bang with the likes of Griner on the glass.

That means Griner is going to have a massive size edge for a not insignificant number of minutes during Friday’s game. Dearica Hamby is going to attack Griner in transition and fight relentlessly on the glass, but her energy can only compensate so much for the six-inch height difference between the two.

Griner has had a few down rebounding performances lately, which is why these Brittney Griner odds are available at this number. But the teams she faced on those off nights are at the very top of standings in the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx. In her last fully healthy and available season (2021) Griner averaged 9.5 rebounds per game.

Against an overmatched team missing one of their best (and biggest) interior forces, Griner should dominate the glass.

Brittney Griner prop: Over 7.5 rebounds (-122 at FanDuel)

Prop bet #2: Broken Dream

The Atlanta Dream appear to be cooked. A team that is neither rebuilding nor contending, they don’t own their first round pick this season and weren’t competitive this season even before Rhyne Howard suffered a troubling ankle injury. That their best player has been newcomer (and 35-year-old) Tina Charles paints a grim picture of their future prospects.

Allisha Gray has been particularly disappointing. After a career year, Gray has seen her scoring and efficiency drop off despite ample opportunity.

That makes the Dream’s task against the WNBA’s best defense incredibly daunting. Even though the Connecticut Sun are on a back-to-back after last night's victory over the Washington Mystics, they will be ready. The Sun are all proven veterans who have immense faith in their formula and the schematic tinkering of Stephanie White. 

The Sun play the slowest pace in the W and allow the fewest opponent 3-point attempts in the W. Those are Gray’s preferred shots. 

Connecticut also suffocates teams in the half-court by not giving away points. They rarely turn it over and give up the fewest points per game when they do. Teams that score on the Sun have to do it through multiple actions, and they usually get just one crack at it as the Sun are one of the league’s best defensive rebounding teams as well.

DiJonai Carrington and DeWanna Bonner smother opposing wings and guards with their length, while Brionna Jones and Alyssa Thomas ward off the basket. With Howard out, Gray will be the focus of the Sun’s defensive intensity outside the paint and things could get ugly.

Last year, these Allisha Gray odds would have been an easy Over, but something has not clicked for her this season. Against the W’s best, I expect Gray to be found wanting.

Allisha Gray prop: Under 14.5 points (-114 at FanDuel)

Prop bet #3: Taurasi thwarted

Diana Taurasi has had a career for the ages. At 42 years old, it is remarkable how impactful a player she still manages to be for the Phoenix Mercury. However, the Mercury’s offseason additions have moved her into a different offensive role this season, and that’s in part why I am shorting Diana Taurasi tonight.

Diana is used to being the fulcrum of the offense, or if not the absolute centerpiece, at least being the clear No. 2 behind Brittney Griner. But with this year’s team, the dynamics are clearly different. 

Griner is the team’s top player, while Kahleah Copper is the best perimeter threat. Natasha Cloud is their primary pick and roll player and because she is the worst of the starters when it comes to shooting, she’s got to be on the ball to maximize her utility. Sophie Cunningham can provide comparable shooting to Taurasi on the wings without as much of the defensive downside.

Still, DT started the season out strong in Griner’s absence. But now she’s also been in a prolonged slump. She’s shooting just 25% from downtown over her last seven games.

Her attempts per game have dropped off in that same span as well, from 8.4 to just 6.7 per game. She’s only made three or more triples twice in that span.

These Diana Taurasi odds are still treating the “White Mamba” like she’s leading the dance for Phoenix when she’s become more of a complementary player.

Diana Taurasi prop: Under 2.5 made 3s (+100 at bet365)