Top 5 WNBA Player Prop Bet Odds & Picks: Friday (5/17)
Tonight we have two WNBA games on tap, with one being a rematch from the season opener between the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm. The Lynx will certainly be looking to benefit from a home crowd after winning the first meeting on the road. The other contest includes the Connecticut Sun, who are hosting for the second time this season in as many games, as the Washington Mystics come to town.
Without any further preamble, let’s jump right into a pair of WNBA contests as we break down the top WNBA player prop bet picks for Friday.
Top 5 WNBA Player Prop Bet Odds & Picks: Friday (5/17)
Ariel Atkins Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
Ariel Atkins opened the 2024 campaign with 20 points (34 minutes of floor time) in a hard-fought battle against New York. Like the Liberty, the Connecticut Sun prefer playing at an accelerated pace so there should be ample opportunity to get shots up.
To start the season the Washington guard managed 15 shot attempts on 46% shooting. Including four-of-seven successful baskets made from beyond the arc.
Replicating that type of three-point shooting may prove to be difficult, though there’s not too much reliance on points for us to feel confident backing the higher side of this total.
With career averages of 2.9 rebounds/2.3 assists and five combined rebounds + assists, a 17-point outing should get us home.
DiJonai Carrington Over 5.5 First-Half Points
In another fantastic opening to the season, DiJonai Carrington shined, scoring 16 points and five rebounds in 31 minutes. This contest was an absolute blowout, so it was great to see such a heavy amount of playing time.
Getting the starting nod this season should be quite beneficial as the Sun are one of the better offensive rebounding teams, which will create an increase in open looks.
Connecticut looks to score quickly and often. Carrington led the team in attempts with 15 against Indiana, which is not uncommon at all for the fourth-year guard. In a sole preseason appearance, she managed eight attempts in 17 minutes.
One quick three-pointer and this total instantly becomes way too low.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Over 21.5 Points + Assists
A new season means unfamiliar surroundings for Skylar Diggins-Smith as the Seattle Storm look to bounce back from a tough loss at home on Wednesday. Once again they will match up with Minnesota who were able to dominate the fourth quarter to seal their first victory of 2024.
The Seattle guard started solid, scoring the team’s first basket. The playmaking was there as well — dishing out six assists. As a whole, though, this just wasn’t a good game at all for the Storm’s new acquisition.
Diggins-Smith only managed to hit 4-of-13 attempts (0-1 from deep) for 10 points, with four turnovers. Early foul trouble did play a role in the first half. However, in the fourth quarter, there was very little production to be found when needed most.
It may take a little longer for chemistry to form with so many changes to the team, so we will proceed with caution on this road and take the lower side of this amount.
Courtney Williams Under 24.0 Points + Rebounds + Assists
Courtney Williams did a masterful job for the Minnesota Lynx in their first outing of the season — 14 points, five rebounds, seven assists and five steals in only 29 minutes. Truly a phenomenal performance.
One that could also be difficult to replicate…
The veteran guard posts career averages of 12.1 points. The 29 minutes of court time might be the new normal going into season nine. A slight dip in points from the last performance would leave us below the asking price.
With such a tight margin of error and a possible cap on minutes, the under seems to be the wiser decision here.
Alanna Smith Over 5.5 First-Half Points
Alanna Smith joined Williams as a fellow new edition via free agency this offseason. The debut couldn’t have gone any better.
Posting a stout line of 20 points (3-of-5 from deep), eight rebounds, four blocks and a steal, the Seattle Storm were simply devoid of a defensive remedy for the Minnesota forward.
Adjustments will surely be made to limit production on the scoring side, though this total doesn’t seem to reflect someone who attempted 15 field goals in their first contest on a new team.
The total points seem like a great spot to pounce on as well at 13.5, yet the halftime could be sealed with only two baskets. Making it one of our favorite selections on this small slate.
Enjoy the games tonight and good luck with your picks.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Friday: