RADIO
I'm trying out a new structure for today's article, mostly because we're at the end of two weeks of the same two slates alternating and I need to find a different way of writing today's piece to break up the monotony of the slate. Let me know if you like the new structure.
In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/16/20. These lineups picks will range from elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
Want to talk more about the WNBA? I'm always available on Twitter and always down to discuss women's basketball: @juscarts
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WNBA - DFS Guards
HIGH-PRICED GUARD:
Arike Ogunbowale (G, Dallas Wings) – vs Phoenix Mercury (DK: $9,800, FD: $7,200)
Moriah Jefferson is out again on Sunday, as is Satou Sabally, which means the Wings will need an increase in two things: points and passing. Sounds like a job of Arike Ogunbowale. Facing this exact scenario on Friday, Ogunbowale finished with 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting with three rebounds and three assists. While her shot volume is down over the last few days and she might not be on track to shatter the field goal attempts per game record anymore, she's still one of the most dangerous scorer in the league and Phoenix is allowing the fourth-most points in the league.
MID-TIER GUARD:
Allisha Gray (G, Dallas Wings) – vs Phoenix Mercury (DK: $7,500, FD: $5,800)
Not to sound like a broken record here, but to quote myself "Moriah Jefferson is out again on Sunday, as is Satou Sabally, which means the Wings will need an increase in two things: points and passing."
Gray has scored in double figures in four straight games, and against Seattle -- when Jefferson and Sabally were out -- she scored 13 points on 14 shot attempts (yeah, the efficiency was bad) and added seven rebounds, an assist, and two steals.
I might not want to play both Ogunbowale and Gray because both have the ability to put up some pretty inefficient performances, but I like the idea of having a guard on this Dallas team in this game, and I don't think that guard should be Tyasha Harris when the other two options are safer and have more upside.
CHEAP/PUNT PLAY:
Shekinna Stricklen (G, Atlanta Dream) – vs Chicago Sky (DK: $5,300, FD: $4,100)
First off, Stricklen should be listed as a forward. She plays forward! She started at the four last game!
Anyway, Chicago is fifth in the league in points allowed and their opponents have the second-highest three-point field goal percentage, so I like the idea of Stricklen, who shoots a bunch of threes. She's taking 5.1 of them per game this year and while her shooting percentage is down to 35.3 percent, she's had multiple seasons shooting over 40 percent from deep.
The issue with Stricklen -- and why her pricing is dropping -- is that she's 0-for-12 from the field over the past two games. Not great! But I still think the Dream will need her shooting in a game where they're going to have to get lucky and score some points to keep up with a high-powered Sky team.
(By the way, Atlanta allows the league's highest three-point percentage, so grabbing a Sky shooter like Allie Quigley seems smart too.)
WNBA - DFS Forwards
HIGH-PRICED FORWARD:
Breanna Stewart (F, Seattle Storm) – vs Connecticut Sun (DK: $11,300 FD: $8,200)
I mean, yeah, Stewart's a good play every game. She had 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, a steal, and five blocks the last time these teams faced, and while Connecticut has been playing some improved defense lately, I think Stewart's upside makes up for it. This is the MVP front runner. She's got the highest fantasy points per game average of any forward on this slate. And even in games where she isn't getting buckets, she's filling up the stat sheet enough to make her a strong play anyways.
MID-TIER FORWARD:
Elizabeth Williams (F, Atlanta Dream) – vs Chicago Sky (DK: $7,600, FD: $6,000)
One of the league's best interior scorers this season, Williams faces a Sky team that has allowed the third-most paint points in the league. Even with the return of Stefanie Dolson, Chicago is susceptible to strong center play. And what might make Williams even more interesting is that against Phoenix, the Dream shifted their starting five, putting Shekinna Stricklen at the four, which helped space things out. Williams got 62.5 percent in that game, and grabbed seven rebounds, her most since July 31st. She also recorded four blocks, though I don't think the lineup change is responsible for that.
CHEAP/PUNT PLAY:
Glory Johnson (F, Atlanta Dream) – vs Chicago Sky (DK: $5,500, FD: $4,500)
Glory Johnson is arguably the best forward on this Dream team (if you go by traditional positions and not fantasy ones and count Elizabeth Williams as a center).
Unfortunately, the minutes aren't there for her so far to prove that she's their best forward. But for the same reasons I highlighted both Williams and Stricklen, I think Johnson makes for an interesting cheap option. She barely played against Phoenix, but before that had taken multiple threes in four consecutive games. I think Friday's minutes were a fluke and Johnson will be back in the 15-20 minute range, which increases her upside. Maybe we see her first double-digit scoring game of the year?
Also, just a final note: I mentioned three Dream players in this article. The Dream are bad. I have reason to like multiple Dream players, but don't put three of them together in your actual lineup. Maybe play Williams plus one of the two cheaper options. The money you save by playing Johnson and Stricklen isn't worth the headache that being heavily invested in the Atlanta Dream is going to cause.
