It's Friday, and the second half of the WNBA season is in full effect. With four games scheduled on the slate, I'll share my top three picks, predictions, and bets for tonight's WNBA games.? With the New York Liberty clinching a playoff birth as the current no. 1 seed,? several teams are fighting for playoff seeding and contention.

(Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

First on the slate, the red-hot Atlanta Dream (10-17, 6-8 home) will host the Phoenix Mercury (15-14, 6-10 away), who've lost two of their last three matchups. A heavy 11.5 point favorite, the Connecticut Sun (20-7, 11-3 home) will matchup against the struggling Chicago Sky (11-16, 7-7 away), who've dropped two of their last three. Starting at 9:30 p.m. ET, the striving Las Vegas Aces (17-10, 8-3 away) will face the Minnesota Lynx (20-8, 12-3) for their second consecutive head-to-head matchup. In addition, the Los Angeles Sparks (6-22, 2-12 away) and the Washington Mystics (6-22, 3-11 home) are currently riding a five-game losing skid.

Back-to-back WNBA champions, can the Las Vegas Aces avoid a second straight loss to the Lynx, even as 2.5 point favorites?? Tied with the Dallas Wings for the worst record in the WNBA, the Sparks find themselves as 5.5 point underdogs against the Mystics on the road.

WNBA ODDS ARE CURRENT AS OF AUGUST 23 AT 12 P.M. ET

If you're betting on the WNBA games this evening, all matchups will air on the ION Network. With tip-offs beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET, i've provided my best WNBA analysis, predictions, and player prop bets for August 23. Included in those predictions are the current updated odds from the most reliable legal sportsbooks. It's worth a note, I've placed all bets within FanDuel Sportsbook.

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WNBA BEST BETS FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

WNBA BEST BETS #1: RICKEA JACKSON

RICKEA JACKSON SEASON STATS

PPG: 11.8? | FG: 45.8 % | FT: 76.7 % | REB: 3.9 | AST: 1.3 | STL: 0.5 | BLK: 0.2

• Over 4.5 Rebounds (-110 odds FanDuel)

One of my favorite WNBA prop bets tonight is for Rickea Jackson to grab over 4.5 rebounds against the Washington Mystics. Although both teams are in the basement, Jackson has performed at a consistent level for head coach Curt Miller and the Sparks. With rookie Cameron Brink out with an ACL injury, we've seen the emergence and stardom of Jackson. Listed at 6'2, the former Tennessee Lady Vol has an excellent matchup tonight, especially considering Miller will formulate a taller lineup of Dearica Hamby, Stephanie Talbot, Azura Stevens around Jackson. A three level scorer, her smooth game has translated to the WNBA quite nicely, and I do believe the 4.5 rebound line will increase by this afternoon.

Although the Sparks rank no. 10 in the league in rebounds per game (32.9), they face a Mystics team, who's struggled greatly on the boards. Dead last in rebounds per game (31.9), the departure of Myisha Hines-Allen has left the Mystics with limited depth behind Shakira Austin, Stefanie Dolson, and Aaliyah Edwards. Averaging less than one rebound per game, it's unclear how or if head coach Eric Thibault will utilize newly acquired Sika Kone in the front court.

THE OVER HAS GREAT VALUE AT -110 ODDS ON FANDUEL

Sure, Jackson has size beside her. However, she has a prime matchup against Washington, and I love the -110 odds for 4.5 rebounds. Considering Washington will plug in a three guard lineup consisting of Brittney Sykes, Ariel Atkins, and Shatori Walker- Kimbrough, Jackson should be more than capable of handing Dolson. According to the Washington post, Shakira Austin was not present at shoot around this morning, and remains questionable for tonight's matchup. Even if Edwards inserts the starting lineup, this is a Mystics squad who allows 35 opponent rebounds per game.

As far as trends, Jackson is averaging slightly under the prop line, at 3.9 rebounds through 28 games. Starting 23 of 28 games, the Sparks forward has hit the over in three straight games, including six rebounds against the Connecticut Sun, who allow the least opponent rebounds per game. Grabbing under 4.5 rebounds in just 2 of the last 11 games,? she now faces the Mystics, where the over odds hit 50 percent of the meetings this season. In fact, Jackson tallied five rebounds in the defeat against the Mystics on July 2, in which she played 30 minutes.

With Aari McDonald and Layshia Clarendon questionable for tonight's game, Jackson's played back-t0-back 34 minute games. Hitting the over in 8 of the last 10 games, I love the values and odds for the WNBA betting prop for August 23.

WNBA BEST BETS #2: LAS VEGAS ACES VS. MINNESOTA LYNX

• Lynx 1H winner (+118 FanDuel)

LAS VEGAS ACES VS. MINNESOTA LYNX INJURY REPORT

LAS VEGAS ACES INJURY REPORT

• None

MINNESOTA LYNX INJURY REPORT

• None

2024 WNBA HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS: ACES VS. LYNX

Season Matchups:

• Game 3: August 21: Lynx 98, Aces 87 (Minnesota +6.5, 1H, over 167.5)
• Game 2: June 11: Lynx 11, Aces 86 (Minnesota +5, 1H, over 167)
• Game 1: May 29: Aces 80, Lynx 66 (Las Vegas -4, 1H, under 169.5).
• O/U last 10 matchups: 6-4
• Lynx are 2-1 1H winner vs. Aces this WNBA season

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Tonight, the Lynx get the Aces for their second consecutive matchup. This time taking place in Minnesota, the Lynx find themselves two point underdogs at home, and +118 first half winner underdogs. At 21-8, the Lynx are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games, including a monumental 98-87 victory over the Aces on Wednesday. Winners of two straight against A'ja Wilson and the Aces, the 2024 WNBA Commissioner Cup champions all of a sudden have WNBA bettors and fans questioning their potential "three-peat."

Yes, the Aces still have the third best odds to win the WNBA Championship. However, the Lynx exposed their defensive collapse last matchup, which Aces guard Kelsey Plum admitted to. One of the more dominant teams in the league, the Lynx now have home court advantage, and are somehow the underdogs. I can't for the life of me figure that one out.

THE WNBA IS MORE COMPETITIVE THAN EVER

Overall, the Lynx have a 19 halftime point differential against Vegas in their last two matchups. Then again, Minnesota shot both 59.4 percent from the field, and 57.9 percent from downtown on Wednesday. Do I believe the Aces will step up defensively, of course they are the reigning champions. However, they've struggled defensively compared to previous seasons, dropping no. 6 in defensive rating (100.6). Losers of two out of three games, it is concerning they allowed such high shot percentages, although they rank no. 11 in the league in opponent three-point percentage (36.2).

+118 ODDS IS GREAT VALUE FOR LYNX 1H WINNERS

For +118 odds, i'm taking the Lynx to win the first half against the Aces tonight. Although A'ja Wilson's having a dominant MVP season, the Aces haven't looked the same as years past. First half losers in four of the last five games, the Aces have lost two straight first half winners to Minnesota, and again, defensive remains a liability. First in defensive rating, the Lynx continue to show why they are a contending team in the WNBA, despite dropping five of the last seven first half winners against the Aces. Again, that dates back to 2023.

If you're betting on the WNBA, +118 odds is great value. Again, I do believe the Lynx will come back down to earth, they shot an incredible 64.5 percent from the field, and 75 percent from three by the half last game. Outscoring the Aces starters by 14 points, USA Women's Olympic Basketball Cheryl Reeve has quite the team behind her. The addition of Alanna Smith and Courtney Williams has been crucial, who cooked Plum for 22 points. Having a career season, both Kayla McBride and Bridget Carleton have been killer assets next to Napheesa Collier.

10-17 against the spread overall, I don't trust the Aces to come out as first half winners, especially on the road. Although the Aces are first quarter winners in 6-7 against Minnesota,? they are 0-6 against the spread in their last six games, including first half losers in four of their last six. Unable to covering the first half winner against the Lynx, Liberty, Sky, and Storm, New York held them to just eight second quarter points. Fifth in first half points, the Aces are averaging 1.3 less points than the Lynx, and considerably lower field goal and three-point percentages.

WNBA BEST BETS #3: CHELSEA GRAY

PPG: 7.4? | FG: 39 % | FT: 75 % | REB: 2.7 | AST: 4.8 | STL: 0.9 | BLK: 0.8

• Over 4.5 Assists (-158 FanDuel)

Another favorite WNBA prop bet of the night, I have Aces Chelsea Gray to dish out over 4.5 assists tonight against the Minnesota Lynx. Coming off an injury from last season, Gray's statistics have dipped, although she's only played 15 total games this season. An olympic gold medalist, we saw the facilitating capability of Gray, and I'm betting on that to continue tonight.

Averaging 4.8 assists per game, that's slightly above the prop line tonight, which I love. Dishing out five dimes against the Lynx on Wednesday, the Aces point guard will get another shot to clear that line tonight. With innate ability to read the floor, they don't call Chelsea Gray the "Point Gawd" for no reason. With such IQ and ability to read the defense on the floor, Gray is one of the best facilitators and passers in the game. Hitting the over in 10 of 15 games this season, Gray hit over 4.5 assists in four of the last five games, and eight of the last ten, agains the Lynx, Liberty, Sky, Mystics, Dream, Storm, and Sparks. Top 30 in assists despite injuries, Gray has a healthy lineup beside her.

THIS WNBA BEST BET HIT THE OVER IN 5 STRAIGHT GAMES VS. THE LYNX

Minnesota is one of the top defensive teams, and will put ball pressure on Chelsea Gray. Forced to facilitate last game, she was held to 1-7 from the floor, including just 1-4 from the three-point line. With just eight point scored in the last two games, I will take the 4.5 assists, although that is slightly juiced at -158 odds on FanDuel.

If you're betting on the WNBA tonight, Gray has soared over and cleared this line historically against the Lynx. Hitting the over in five straight games, the Aces guard has 16 total assists in two games played against Minnesota this season. In fact, the "point gawd" tallied 11 dimes on July 22. The Aces rank top four in assists per game, and look for Chelsea Gray to lead the way tonight.

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