The Money Line: WNBA odds, predictions for Friday, June 9

Minnesota Lynx (-6, -110)
Washington Mystics (+6, -110)
Total: 161.5

I could tell you how Washington is leading the league in made three pointers a game, have the best assist-to-turnover ratio, and are second in offensive/total rebounds per game, offensive rebound percentage and points per game, but I won’t. If Elena Delle Donne indeed misses this game with a left groin strain, all of that is irrelevant. All the former MVP has done for her new team is score 20.6 points per game on 48.1% shooting, getting to the line over seven times a game, all while also pulling down 7.3 rebounds a game.

The sting of her loss would be felt a little less if Emma Meesseman weren’t playing with her native Belgium in the EuroBasket Tournament, but the burden will now fall on Tayler Hill, Kristi Toliver, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Ivory Latta. Delle Donne will likely be a gametime decision, but you have to wonder if it is even worth risking her this early in the season.

The Delle Donne absence would possibly mean a little less if it weren’t for the team that was in town to take the Mystics on. Minnesota is riding high at 7-0, their last game a complete beatdown of Seattle, a team many think could contend for a title this season. Led by MVP front runner Sylvia Fowles and her 26 points, the Lynx shot an absurd 60% from the field as a team in the 100-77 victory in Seattle. The entire Lynx starting lineup scored double digit points expect, surprisingly, Maya Moore, whose early season struggles continue. A nightmare for opposing offensives per usual, Minnesota is giving up the fewest points per game in the league, plus have the best defensive rating and rebounding percentage.

This would be a fascinating matchup if both teams were at full strength, but Washington actually has historically given Minnesota fits even with less talented squads. I think this game will be close throughout, but the Lynx pull away slightly at the end. I’ll take the Lynx and the over.