Shorter Games, Fewer Point but great WNBA Odds at SBG Global

January 8th, 2021 WNBA Betting Odds

WNBA odds should be handicapped with the recognition that WNBA games are shorter than in NBA, involving 10 minute quarters instead of 12 minute quarters. WNBA fans know this detail about the sport and that as a result, WNBA scores tend to be lower than NBA scores, so you must examine the WNBA lines accordingly. This aspect of the WNBA game naturally has a direct impact on the totals WNBA odds, yet it should also be considered when handicapping WNBA odds on sides.

WNBA naturally reflect lower point totals than NBA odds, not because of the inabilities of the women players, but rather because of the shorter duration of their games. With 40 minute games, WNBA contests last the same amount of time as NCAA basketball games, and are eight minutes shorter than NBA games. Not surprisingly, WNBA games often have point totals similar to NCAA games, with teams generally scoring about 75 points per game. It is very important to recognize this characteristic of WNBA match ups as you begin handicapping the WNBA odds.

While totals in the NBA often hover around 200, the totals you will find in the WNBA lines naturally tend closer to 150. Therefore, if you are starting to handicap WNBA lines using your NBA gambling experience as a guide, you must understand that 150 is not a particularly low total to encounter in the WNBA . To get a better feel for the point totals that often result from WNBA match ups it can be useful to look through some box scores for a variety of games from the most recent seasons. Also, you should begin to get a feel for which teams are high-scoring and which are low-scoring, as this is the type of information you will eventually need in order to handicap the WNBA odds effectively.

Just like in the NBA, some WNBA teams are known for their stellar defenses while other teams are known for their high octane offenses, and these characteristics must be understood as you look for value in the WNBA lines. In fact, this type of handicapping information has value beyond your handicapping of the totals in the WNBA odds, as it will also be useful as you handicap the sides in the WNBA. Knowing how capable teams are on offense and defense is naturally critical to your handicapping of the WNBA. Furthermore, the point spread reflected in the WNBA odds must be analyzed as a function of the expected point total. For example, WNBA of -3 are more significant in a game with a totals line of 135 than 175, as the higher total dilutes the significance of the betting line.

 

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