Wings vs. Storm predictions, odds: WNBA best bets Tuesday

Successfully handicapping requires the ability to attack games from all angles.A bettor needs all the options of a tool belt because good opportunities do present themselves, and one must be able to recognize and seize them. The WNBA has a relatively long regular season with 44 games and the ebb and flow can provide an attractive angle, which is what I believe we have Tuesday. The Seattle Storm are 9.5-point home favorites to the Dallas Wings, who will play without standout rookie Paige Bueckers.

The former UConn star will miss her second straight game due to a concussion. Bueckers ranks fourth in the WNBA with 6.7 assists per game, and her absence will certainly impact a 1-6 Dallas squad that already has plenty of limitations.That also means Arike Ogunbowale likely will look to shoot even more, as she hoisted 16 attempts in the most recent game (also without Bueckers).

Her reckless approach often hurts the team, but there is always potential she catches fire. The scheduling spot does provide a good opportunity to back Seattle, which is riding a three-game losing streak.The Storm are a playoff-caliber team that figures to bounce back against such a weak squad, but the point spread is the great equalizer, and Ogunbowale’s variance gives me pause. The Wings own the league’s third-worst defensive rating, and wagering on Seattle’s team total makes a lot more sense.This ensures Ogunbowale’s shotmaking does not enter the equation. However, with the potential of a blowout, I worry the scoring will die down in the second half.

In fact, that’s exactly what happened in the first meeting, when Seattle led 56-41 at halftime and held on for a 79-71 victory. I have a 45-39-1 ATS record in this Post sports section, and my next play is the Storm Over 43.5 points in the first half.I expect a strong start against a poor Wings defense, and I do not have to worry about a slow-paced second half.PICK: Storm Over 43.5 points in the first half (-110, Fanatics Sportsboo...