The Money Line: WNBA odds, predictions for Saturday, June 3
Connecticut Sun (-1.5, -110)
San Antonio Stars (+1.5, -110)
Total: 157
What a cruel tease the last game for the Sun proved to be. Up early, and late, against the Washington Mystics in a game that Elena Delle Donne looked human, the Sun couldn’t get the stops it needed down the stretch and lost a heartbreaker on the road, 78-76. The WNBA’s leading rebounder Jonquel Jones continued to be a monster on the boards, pulling down 13 to go along with her 14 points, while Shekinna Stricklen provided an unexpected 20 points in the losing effort. While most people, myself included, would agree that the Sun are better than their 1-5 record indicates, the stats show that they need to improve across the board. While they rank in the top four in offensive rebounding percentage, rebounds per game, three point percentage and offensive pace, every other category sees them in the middle or lower part of the league. Not having Morgan Tuck against Washington hurt, but the Sun had a chance to win the game and didn’t finish well.
The last winless team in the league, San Antonio had everyone holding their collective breath on Wednesday in Atlanta, with the score tied in the fourth quarter. Eventually, however, the Dream pulled away for a 77-70 victory, continuing their surprising start to the season by moving to 4-1. The Stars looked extremely disjointed on offensive, with most possessions ending in a one-on-one attack by Monique Currie, who led the team in scoring with 14, or a dump into the post where Atlanta crowded the paint and force difficult shot after difficult shot. Kayla McBride missed a ton of open jumpers, Moriah Jefferson only logged just over 18 minutes, and Kelsey Plum played just over 12 minutes and, from my personal observations, seemed to get iced out from her teammates at times.
This is a professional sports league, so its impossible to make absolute statements, but I’m really not sure when the Stars are going to win one. They have some talent, and they have been in several close games, but until I see it, I can’t ride with them. Give me the Sun and the under.