Layup Lines: Backing the Lynx

Good morning and welcome back to Layup Lines, your quick recap of what’s going on in the WNBA.

• We went 1-1 last night thanks to the Fever and Dream comfortably hitting their over and my complete misread of the Connecticut Sun (lost by 25 to the Aces, not 12).

This 495 word newsletter should take about 2 minutes to read.

Bets of the day

• We’re 5-5 this season and have $976 of our initial $1,000 remaining to wager.

• There are three games today that are all on League Pass — Dallas Wings @ Minnesota Lynx (8pm ET), Washington Mystics @ Golden State Valkyries (10pm) and Los Angeles Sparks @ Phoenix Mercury (10pm). It’s a great opportunity to get ahead.

  • The Lynx now get to host the struggling Wings after beating them on the road on opening night. Minnesota is clearly still pissed off about last year’s Finals and will come to play for their home opener.

    • Bet: Lynx -11.5, $50 to win $45.

  • Until the expansion Valkyries show they can punch above their talent level, we’re betting against them.

    • Bet: Mystics -6, $50 to win $46.

  • The last game of the night is harder to read. The Sparks have played the worst and best teams in the league (Valkyries, Lynx) and the Mercury rolled the Storm in their opening game. But with L.A. missing Rickea Jackson (concussion) and Phoenix missing Kahleah Copper (left knee surgery), I see this as more of an offensive struggle.

    • Bet: Under 163.5, $50 to win $45.

Take of the day

• I’ve watched most of the games so far this season and am disappointed that we, as a society, have become OK with instant replay reviews. On multiple nights, a coaches challenge has led to a stoppage of more than five minutes while refs stare at the same video angle. It kills game flow and is a remarkably boring experience for the viewer.

• And the logic of taking as much time as needed to get a challenge call right is flawed. It’s not like these refs are getting every other call correct. Set up a 90 second timer for every replay, do your best to get it right and move on. Nobody — noooooobody — wants to watch three refs huddled around a monitor for five minutes to determine whose possession it is in the second quarter.

Top plays from Tuesday night

1. Chelsea Gray whip around

2. Caitlin Clark makes this look easy

3. Lexie Hull fights through contact

Card of the day

If Clark flirts with a triple double every night, she’s going to win MVP. My other contender would be Napheesa Collier, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year who should rip through the Wings tonight.

Thanks for reading Layup Lines. Your friends / loved ones / cousins can subscribe here.

If you bet, please do so responsibly, and we will see you back here tomorrow.

— Everett Cook, Founder & Editor