WNBA Picks, Predictions: Opening Day Best Bets From the ‘Buckets WNBA’ Podcast (Tuesday, May 14)

WNBA Picks, Predictions: Opening Day Best Bets From the ‘Buckets WNBA’ Podcast (Tuesday, May 14) article feature image
Credit:

David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson.

Happy WNBA opening day!

The W opens with a four-game schedule on Tuesday, which includes the debut of No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark for the Indiana Fever.

On the "Buckets WNBA" podcast, Jim Turvey came through with three picks for Tuesday, including a fade of Clark's Indiana team and two player props.

Check out the full "Buckets WNBA" episode below, and be sure to continue reading for all three of Turvey's best bets.


GameTime (ET)Pick
New York Liberty LogoWashington Mystics Logo
7 p.m.Brittney Sykes Over PRA
Indiana Fever LogoConnecticut Sun Logo
7:30 p.m.Sun -7
Phoenix Mercury LogoLas Vegas Aces Logo
10 p.m.A'Ja Wilson Over Rebounds
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Brittney Sykes Over Points + Rebounds + Assists vs. Liberty

7 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN3

By Jim Turvey

I am going to be keeping an eye on Sykes' usage over the course of this year.

Sykes is going to command a lot of usage this season. I would guess this number will be in the 20-22 range, and I like this up to the high-20s.

I think her point totals are going to be very high this year, and I think she has a chance to finish in the top five in WNBA scoring this season.

She's an outstanding player who's going to have plenty of scoring opportunities on a not-so-amazing Mystics team.



Header First Logo

Sun -7 vs. Fever

7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN2

By Jim Turvey

I think this will be a "welcome to the league" moment for Caitlin Clark.

The Sun have already coined the phrase "disrespeCT," and I don't expect them to play second fiddle to a rookie in her first WNBA game. I also lean toward Clark's under tonight.

Kelsey Mitchell will not be playing tonight for the Fever, which is a huge blow early in the season. The Sun have a revamped backcourt, and with Brionna Jones back, she will be able to take some of the scoring burden off of Alyssa Thomas.

The Sun are an incredibly skilled team, and I think this number starting at -5.5 was far too short. Clearly, the sharps saw that too.

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Header First Logo

Aces A'Ja Wilson Over Rebounds vs. Mercury

10 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN2

By Jim Turvey

This bet is in part due to Brittney Griner being in a walking boot a couple of days ago.

If she's indeed out, this will be a hammer spot, and the only thing I'd be worried about is a blowout. I'm guessing Wilson's number will be around 9.5, which is what she averaged a season ago.

This Mercury frontcourt is paper-thin, and then you add Griner's absence to the fold. I don't know how the Mercury are going to rebound this year. Now, in Game 1, they have to face arguably the best rebounder in the game. It's as simple as that.

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