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USATSI

The WNBA schedule for Friday, August 1 is packed with five games on the docket, headlined by a contest between the Phoenix Mercury and Atlanta Dream. This is the only matchup between teams with winning records and it will air at 7:30 p.m. ET on ION. The Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun, Golden State Valkyries, Chicago Sky, Seattle Storm and Los Angeles Sparks will also be on the hardwood Friday.

Sports fans interested in WNBA betting, WNBA player props and WNBA odds should check out Friday's best bet from WNBA expert Max Meyer.

Today's WNBA pick:

Allisha Gray 6+ rebounds

This handicap is pretty simple: Gray has grabbed at least six rebounds in seven of eight games that Rhyne Howard has been sidelined this season. Howard was originally ruled out for the rest of July, but there is no word (as of Thursday afternoon) of her even returning to Dream practice, let alone possibly returning for Friday's game against the Mercury.

The Mercury are not a particularly good rebounding team, as they have the fifth-lowest overall rebounding percentage and the fourth-lowest offensive rebounding percentage in the WNBA. The lackluster offensive rebounding is key, since Gray does most of her damage on the defensive glass since she takes so many of Atlanta's shots (with many of those from the outside).

When the Dream and Mercury played a little over a week ago on July 23, Gray secured seven rebounds in 37 minutes against this same Phoenix squad. I think there's plenty of value getting plus money on her to come down with six rebounds against a weaker rebounding team.