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Wednesday saw the New York Liberty fall to 0-5 on the year. Will Thursday -- the start of the sixth games for each team -- she Connecticut fall to 0-6?
In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/6/20. 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
Courtney Vandersloot (G, Chicago Sky) – vs Phoenix Mercury (DK: $10,000, FD: $6,700)
I think it's time we take a break from talking about DeWanna Bonner, who rules but who is starting to get priced in such a way that it makes her tough to build a winning lineup with at the margins.
Instead, let's pivot to Courtney Vandersloot. Vandesloot's shooting numbers are up this year -- she's hitting 47.1 percent from three in the early going -- and her 8.6 assists per game lead the lead.
Phoenix has the league's fourth-worst defensive rating and their opponents average right around a league average number of assists and made threes per game, so while it's not a perfect matchup, it's still a pretty good one.
Jewell Loyd (G, Seattle Storm) – vs Atlanta Dream (DK: $8,100, FD: $5,000)
Sue Bird is still out. Atlanta allows the second-most points per game in the league. This is probably going to be a really good Breanna Stewart game, but it's also setting up to just be a really good Seattle Storm game, with Atlanta's defensive woes allowing success to trickle down to other players on this team, like Loyd, who now has consecutive games with double-digit points after starting the year out doing that once in three games. She can also provide a handful of assists for you, and she has three steals and two blocks in the Bird-less games.
Natisha Hiedeman (G, Connecticut Sun) – vs Dallas Wings (DK: $5,600, FD: $3,400)
Did someone say value play? Hiedeman hadn't been a big part of this rotation, but she played 33 minutes on Tuesday, taking 10 shots -- five of them threes -- and adding five assists and seven rebounds.
Briann January is in the bubble and once she's ready to play, will likely push Hiedeman back to a smaller role, but you can still strike while the iron's hot, and while Hiedeman remains undervalued.
Note: I don't think we see January tonight. If we do, pivot off Hiedeman. I don't love her if she's back in a reserve role.
Additional Notes: Jasmine Thomas hasn't been that good this year, but she's becoming a decent value, allowing you to throw a dart at her sometimes. Same for Diamond DeShields, who has to get a full workload at some point, right? And I already gave a deep sleeper in Hiedeman, but another name to watch if you need a cheap player because DeWanna Bonner took your whole salary is Katie Lou Samuelson, whose role continues to increase in Dallas.
WNBA - DFS Forwards
Brittney Griner (F, Phoenix Mercury) – vs Chicago Sky (DK: $10,700 FD: $7,200)
With Stef Dolson still out, I'm wondering what Chicago throws at Griner to try slowing her down inside. Azurá Stevens is good, but will she stop Griner? Same for Cheyenne Parker. I don't know.
Granted, 2020 Griner hasn't been as dominant as she's been in the past. Her scoring is down from last year. Her field goal percentage is at an all-time low, but that low is still 50 percent. Griner's still a key piece for this team.
And with Bria Hartley listed as questionable, Griner may need to take on more of the scoring load tonight. Chicago's defense has improved this year, but I still think they're going to struggle to slow down Griner in this one.
Brionna Jones (F, Connecticut Sun) – vs Dallas Wings (DK: $7,400, FD: $5,400)
Dallas allows the fourth-most points in the paint and the most rebounds per game to their opponents.
Jones has finished three of her five games this year with a PIPT percentage of 80 or above (meaning that percentage of her points came from there). She's seen a rise in her usage rate lately as well, topping at 23.3 percent against Seattle.
With Alyssa Thomas struggling some lately -- which will happen when you play with two torn shoulder labrums -- the Sun have needed someone to pick up the slack. Over the past two games, that someone has been Jones.
Bella Alarie (F, Las Vegas Aces) – vs Connecticut Sun (DK: $5,500, FD: $4,900)
Technically, Alarie is a guard on FanDuel, but we're not playing her on there.
I like the value with Alarie today. Her role is increasing every game, and last time out she played 29 minutes. She only scored four points -- she's 0-for-5 from deep this year -- but made up for that with nine rebounds and four blocks. In the last three games, Alarie has 10 offensive boards and seven blocks.
The Sun allow the third-most rebounds and second-most blocks per game, so Alarie should be able to keep doing those things. The concern is if her offense finally comes in. It'll happen at some point, and against a weakened Connecticut team is a good place for it to happen.
Additional Notes: Natasha Howard has been bad. If there's ever going to be a game where she breaks out, it's against Atlanta. She's a hugely risky play, but she does exist, as does Ezi Magbegor, who is slowly taking over Howard's role. One of them will have a good night. Alanna Smith has a good matchup if you're looking for value. And Kayla Thornton is another good value with a really enticing matchup. I like her more than Alarie on this slate, actually, but recommended Alarie for the price point.
