Betting on the WNBA can be a risky move

Gamblers bored with this year’s NBA playoffs can always turn to the WNBA point-spread bets.

That’s a risky move this season because every game seems like a tossup in the 14-team women’s pro basketball league, which is playing a compact schedule because of its Olympic break (July 28-Aug. 21).

For example, the Phoenix Mercury -- the defending WNBA champion -- lost its first four games of the season, which included a 99-94 home opening loss to the Sparks. But when Phoenix faced the Sparks last week at Staples Center, the Mercury won, 85-79, despite being eight-point underdogs.

Then there are teams such as the Atlanta Dream and Houston Comets, with the worst overall records in the WNBA.

The Dream, a first-year franchise, is 0-8 but 3-5 against the point spread. One of Atlanta’s defeats came against highly regarded Minnesota, which failed to cover a 7.5-point spread in an 85-81 victory over the Dream.

Houston is another team difficult to read for gamblers. The Comets are 1-7 but 4-4 against the point spread because they covered the line in road losses against Indiana, Seattle and Washington.

This type of unpredictability explains why eight WNBA teams have .500 or worse records against the point spread this season even though the league has nine teams with .500 or better records overall.

Two of the league’s best teams face off tonight when the Connecticut Sun plays the Sparks at Staples Center.

Connecticut has the league’s best record at 8-1 but will take on an underdog role against the 5-2 Sparks, who are led by two of the sport’s most recognized players in Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker.

Connecticut, which has won five consecutive games, has a 5-4 record against the point spread.

The Sparks, 1-1 at home this season, are 4-3 against the point spread.

Horse racing

Ever since Big Brown’s Triple Crown bid fell short with his loss in the Belmont Stakes, the build-up for a potential showdown against 2007 horse of the year Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup Classic has pretty much disappeared.

But not at Bodoglife.com, which has a proposition bet listed as: Will Big Brown and Curlin race against each other in 2008? Yes (+275) or No (-400).

And if the horses do meet at the Breeders’ Cup, which will run Oct. 25 at Santa Anita, there’s already a wager ready: Best finishing position? Big Brown (+150) or Curlin (-200).

Tennis

Here are couple of interesting future wagers available at Bodoglife.com: Will Roger Federer win this year’s Wimbledon? Yes (even) or No (-140); Will Federer win the 2008 U.S. Open? Yes (+130) or No (-170); Will Maria Sharapova win this year’s Wimbledon? Yes (+200) or No (-275); Will Venus or Serena Williams win the 2008 U.S. Open? Yes (+165) or No (-225).

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