The W features a three-game slate on Friday, August 16 and Caitlin Clark and Brionna Jones are key standouts for the action ahead. With the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun playing their first respective games back from the Olympics break, I target Clark making the first basket for Indy and eyeing the points for Jones. Keep reading for my two-leg parlay that owns an implied probability of 12.9%.
WNBA Parlay: Friday, August 16
- Caitlin Clark First Fever Basket (+290)
- Brionna Jones 15+ Points (-102)
Parlay Odds: +672 on FanDuel
Caitlin Clark
First Fever Basket (+290)
Not only does Caitlin Clark control Indiana’s offense, but she also paces their first basket usage. Clark has taken the Fever’s first shot in 30.7% of her starts, which leads the team by a decent margin.
It’s a favorable matchup for her too. Since Brittney Griner made her season debut on June 7, Phoenix’s defense has allowed the second most above-the-break 3pt attempts per game. That’s a massive green flag for Clark’s unlimited range. She averages the second most of these shots per game in the WNBA, and it forms just over 62% of her total field goal attempts. Off-the-dribble jumpers, in particular, should be a devastating weapon against the Mercury.
These teams have played twice this season, and Clark secured Indiana’s first attempt in both contests. Look for her to once again accomplish this feat.
This bet is found under the "Quick Bets" tab and in the category "First Team Basket Scorer".
Brionna Jones
15+ Points (-102)
Connecticut comes off the extended break with a date against Dallas’ dreadful defense. The Wings struggle mightily against rim threats, as they surrender the most attempts per game and fourth largest field goal percentage from the restricted area.
To be more granular, in terms of opponent points per possession, they rank 10th defending cuts, 11th against rolls, and 11th versus post ups (via Synergy Sports). It doesn’t help that Dallas allows the third largest offensive rebound rate either.
Enter Brionna Jones. Those four play types account for over 74% of her offensive possessions, and she averages the most restricted area attempts out of any Sun. With teammate DiJonai Carrington missing the contest, her 10.8 shots per game have to be dispersed somewhere. Jones likely snags a decent portion given her ability to exploit Dallas’ defense.
Finally, the Wings bleed free throw attempts, which is understandable because opponents live at the rim. That could be an easy source of points for Jones.
Overall, Jones recorded 12 and 22 points in two previous matchups this year. She has a quality chance to clear the 15-point threshold here.
