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After an exciting first two rounds of the WNBA Playoffs, we’re set for the start of the Finals following an eight-day layoff.
Both the Dream and Valkyries have had plenty of time to recharge and rest their legs, which should set the stage for a dynamic Game 1 clash out west between two largely healthy teams.
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Let’s dive into a pair of player props to consider for the series-opening showdown. Be sure to also check out our daily WNBA betting trends page for odds, data and insights of every game.
WNBA Regular-Season Betting Record: 96-76 (+10.73 units)
Best WNBA Saturday Player Props
- Kayla Thornton Over 12.5 Points + Rebounds
- Jordin Canada Over 18.5 Points + Assists
Kayla Thornton Over Points + Rebounds
Thornton has stepped up her offensive contributions during the postseason after a quiet regular season, as she’s generated points + rebounds totals of 15, 19, 19, 19 and 27. Her one dud in the playoffs so far was an inexplicable 14-minute outing against the Wings in Golden State’s series-clinching Game 3 victory, but that game was clearly an anomaly.
Thornton is now well-rested for a matchup against a Dream squad that she had one tally of 22 points + rebounds against during the regular season. Atlanta finished the campaign having surrendered 39.0 points + rebounds per game to forwards, along with the fifth-most free-throw attempts to the position (7.3). Thornton only went to the line an average of 1.4 times per game during the regular season, but she converted her opportunities at an impressive 90.3% clip.
Thornton has averaged 12.8 points + rebounds per home game since the start of the regular season and also shot an impressive 37.8% from three-point range in that split, while Atlanta has given up the third-highest three-point shooting percentage (36.0) on the road since the start of the campaign.
Original Line Publish: 12.5
Jordin Canada Over Points + Assists
Canada also comes into the Finals running hot, as the veteran guard has averaged an outstanding 17.3 points (on 47.4% shooting, including 43.2% from behind the arc), 8.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals per contest over her last eight games dating back to Sept. 19. Canada has also averaged a healthy 15.9 field-goal + free-throw attempts per contest in that span after going into the sample having put up 12.6 per contest from the start of the regular season.
Canada has been even better in the postseason, where she’s contributed 26.4 points + assists per game while draining a blistering 45.5% of her attempts from long range. She’s gone for points + assists totals of 28, 17, 20, 30, 29, 31 and 30 in her seven playoff contests thus far, making this 18.5 figure particularly stand out when also factoring in Canada will have the advantage of extra rest on her side.
The Valkyries do present perhaps the toughest defensive matchup in the league, which could go a long way toward explaining the muted expectations. However, she did have one 25 points + assists total against Golden State in three meetings this season while shooting 7-for-11 from the floor, and she’s averaged 19.3 points + assists per road contest since the start of the regular season.
Original Line Publish: 18.5
Photo Credit: REUTERS
