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WNBA Daily Fantasy Lineup Picks (5/20/18): WNBA DFS Advice for DraftKings and FanDuel

Justin Carter's top daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for 5/20/18. Expert WNBA DFS advice, sleepers & player recommendations for DraftKings and FanDuel.

Sure, there was a game on Friday and a game on Saturday, but today is really what all the WNBA fans have been waiting for: #WNBAAllDay, a six game slate that really gets the season off to a roaring start. There are games all day being broadcast live on Twitter, NBA TV, and ESPN2, and it's also all available via League Pass, which is incredibly cheap this year and will provide you with so much WNBA action.

In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/20/18. These lineups picks will range from elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. With six games happening, there's a ton of lineup choices to make and options to weigh.

Two teams -- Indiana and Chicago -- will be playing on the second end of a back-to-back, which is why I'm not listing any of their players here. With ten teams either opening their season or coming in with a full day of rest, why risk it?

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Want to talk more about the WNBA? I'm always available on Twitter: @juscarts

 

WNBA - DFS Guards

Skylar Diggins-Smith (G, Dallas Wings) – vs Atlanta Dream (DK: $12,000, FD: $7,700)

Diggins-Smith is the highest priced guard on both DraftKings and FanDuel, something that I'd normally be wary of on a day with so many games. But with two of the next highest priced players being Chicago's Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley on the second night of a back-to-back, it might be worth the cost for Diggins-Smith, who opened the season on Friday with 18 points, six rebounds, and nine assists against the Mercury. Diggins-Smith is always a strong fantasy option because of her on court opportunities: she led the league in minutes played last year as well as ranking first in free throw attempts and fifth in field goal attempts. Diggins-Smith did struggle from three on Friday, missing all seven of her attempts from downtown, but she shot 35 percent from long range last season. Will the shots go down against Atlanta? They did a good job limiting threes last season, but it seems like a better bet to say that Diggins-Smith won't shoot as poorly as she did against the Mercury.

Brittney Sykes (G, Atlanta Dream) – @ Dallas Wings (DK: $9,200, FD: $6,400)

Sykes will look to build off a solid rookie season in which she averaged 13.9 points per game and 4.1 rebounds. She was on a roll at the end of the season, crossing the 20 point mark in three of her last seven games, including a 33 point, five rebound performance in the season finale against Phoenix. With one of last's year worst defensive teams (11th in defensive rating while allowing the most points game in the WNBA) on deck Sunday in the Wings, Sykes should get her 2018 season off to a strong start.

Diana Taurasi (G, Phoenix Mercury) – @ Seattle Storm (DK: $8,900, FD: $6,300)

Last season, the Storm allowed opponents to shoot the third highest three point field goal percentage in the league while sporting the fourth-worst defensive rating in the WNBA. The Phoenix Mercury are playing faster this year and letting Diana Taurasi -- who hit her 1000th career three pointer in Friday's season-opening win over Dallas -- shoot. Taurasi has averaged 20 or more points per game six times in her career, but the last time was in 2013, Brittney Griner's first season in Phoenix. Griner's role in the offense has increased, especially in light of Taurasi's missed 2015 season, but Friday night might be an indication that things are changing as the eight time All-Star scored 26 points on 7-for-16 shooting, including a 5-for-8 mark from three. Though she didn't do much else and didn't get enough touches in the fourth quarter, Taurasi showed that she can continue to be a major scoring threat.

Kristi Toliver (G, Washington Mystics) – vs Indiana Fever (DK: $8,700, FD: $5,600)

Toliver shot a career-low 33.8 percent from three last season on 6.6 attempts per game, but her career mark still sits at 39.3 percent. With a match-up against the Fever, who allowed opponents to shoot a league best 39.1 percent from deep last year, expect Toliver to come out firing. She was 2-for-2 from deep in last week's preseason win over the Fever.

DeWanna Bonner (G, Phoenix Mercury) – @ Seattle Storm (DK: $3,900 FD: $3,000)

There was some uncertainty about Bonner after a year off, but she stepped right back into the game on Friday night against Dallas, playing 32 minutes and picking up a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Her shot looked a little rusty -- she was just 1-for-8 from long range -- but Bonner showed improvement from there in 2016 and Sunday's game against Seattle could be a spot for her to get the shot working right. Bonner is a great value play.

 

WNBA - DFS Forwards

Tina Charles (F, New York Liberty)  – @ Chicago Sky (DK: $12,600, FD: $7,900)

One of the league's best players against one of the league's worst defensive teams. Charles was third in scoring last season at 19.7 per game. She's added a three point shot over the past two seasons, bringing another dimension to her game. Fourth in rebounding and coming off her second straight season leading the league in field goal attempts and third straight leading it in made field goals, Charles is always going to be a top daily fantasy option.

Nneka Ogwumike (F, Los Angeles Sparks)  – @ Minnesota Lynx (DK: $11,600, FD: $7,700)

Of all the players listed for today, Ogwumike has the worst match-up: the league's best defensive team last season, the Minnesota Lynx. But Ogwumike finshed in the top 10 last season in points per game, rebounds per game, and steals per game. She recorded a pair of double-double against the Lynx in last year's playoff series and had multiple steals in seven of her eight playoff games. She's a solid contributor, even in a bad spot.

Elena Delle Donne (F, Washington Mystics)  – vs Indiana Fever (DK: $11,300, FD: $7,800)

The Indiana Fever had the WNBA's worst defensive rating last year while allowing opponents to score the third most points per game. This year, they brought back a team that has a lot of the same faces plus three rookies and former Las Vegas center Kayla Alexander. All of that led to...well, it led to them giving up 82 points in Saturday's loss to Chicago despite Chicago, who led the league by making 37.5 percent of their three points last season, hitting just 33.3 percent on 15 attempts. Translation: it could have been worse. Enter Elena Delle Donne, who was 10th in the league in three point field goal percentage last year while also finishing fourth in points per game and ninth in blocks per game. (Oh, she also shot 95.3 percent from the free throw line, a career-high.) The Mystics shot more threes than anyone last season and will look to take advantage of a Fever defense that doesn't look like it's improved much.

Elizabeth Williams (F, Atlanta Dream)  – @ Dallas Wings (DK: $8,800, FD: $5,900)

A cheaper option -- especially in FanDuel -- who averaged 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds last season as she made her first All-Star appearance despite a slight dip in her numbers. If her averages look a little more like they did in 2016, when she scored 11.9 points and grabbed 8.1 boards, then Williams could be in line for a big year. Her 2018 campaign begins against the Wings, who allowed the fourth most rebounds last season and were the only team that allowed opponents to shoot over 50 percent from two point range.

A'ja Wilson (F, Las Vegas Aces)  – @ Connecticut Sun (DK: $5,200, FD: $4,800)

I don't love the match-up -- Connecticut had the fourth best defensive rating last season, though the 81.6 points per game they allowed ranked them just seventh in that category -- but Wilson's WNBA debut is an exciting moment and she's fairly inexpensive for anyone willing to take the risk. Wilson doesn't have much of a long range shooting game, but she has the potential to be an elite post player. She averaged 3.2 blocks per game last season for South Carolina and should have an instant impact for a team that ranked near the bottom of the league in blocks, rebounds, and two point field goal percentage.

 

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
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Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

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