In 2021, the playoffs involved four rounds, with the top four teams at the end of the regular season receiving a first round bye, and the top two teams receiving a second round bye. This year, any team who wants the championship must win three straight rounds of playoffs (round of 3, round of 5, round of 5).
With a month left in the regular season, some favorites and smart bets have emerged. Here’s what you can lock in right now.
Call it a bias, but bookmakers are currently favoring… Las Vegas. The Aces have yet to win a championship, but routinely dominate the league, placing in the top two in standings for the previous three regular seasons.
This might be the year they finally score “Blackjack!” The secret behind their 16-and-7 record? In addition to four all-stars on their starting roster, the Aces have an… Ace up their sleeve: WNBA Legend and San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon has taken over the reigns. Will this be the year the Las Vegas can cheer “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner?”
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There is currently a six-team brawl for the final three playoff spots. Of these teams, the Lynx may be easily overlooked, yet show the most hope and promise.
The Lynx started the 2022 season in rough shape, both in stats and injury reports. They lost 13 of their first 16 games, and seemed on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2010. However, the Lynx are always on the prowl. They have won six of the last nine games, notably defeating both the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces.
It’s not called a long shot for nothing, but the Lynx now have a healthy roster and momentum on their side. They are the dark horse of the season, and not all sportsbooks are privy to this insight yet. If you’re looking to beat closing line value, the Lynx have a lot of potential.
The Sky were a 50-50 team around this time last year, but rode the momentum of four straight playoff wins to take their first WNBA Championship title. And they haven’t looked back. With a 17-and-6 record, the Sky hold the best record in the league.
In some ways, the new playoff format is a disappointment for the Sky — they miss out on a near-guaranteed trip to the semifinals. But this new format still plays to their strengths: The Sky have a roster with serious depth. This will come in handy as playoffs drag on. Candace Parker has been breaking records and making headlines, but she is just one element of the Sky’s success. Their roster includes a squad of experienced veterans playing at their peak (and Allie Quigley, who is shooting under average, but still remains a serious offensive threat), and a talented group of up-and-comers to provide support. It’s surprising to me that the Sky aren’t the odds-on favorites.
I think a back-to-back championship isn’t just possible, it’s likely. At least, I wouldn’t want to bet against the Sky in a playoff series. They have serious resiliency, having never lost two games in a row this season, and staging numerous fourth quarter comebacks. For this team, the Sky’s the limit.
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