The Money Line: WNBA odds, predictions for Saturday, June 17
There are certain trends you pick up on when picking games against the spread, and picking Indiana at home is now one of those trends. Including their most recent 85-74 victory over Atlanta, Indiana is now 5-1 at home while still winless on the road.
Erica Wheeler continued her hot streak as she scored 20 points, her fourth straight game with at least 15 points, while also dishing out a season high seven assists. On that same night, the San Antonio Stars gave another admirable effort but came up short yet again, falling 80-75 to Los Angeles, dropping their record to 0-10. For historical purposes, the record for most losses to start a season belongs to the 2008 Atlanta Dream with 17 straight and with Dallas, Seattle and Minnesota all up next for the Stars, that record appears in sight.
Last night we all were treated to an epic battle between two teams currently heading in opposite directions in the standings. The Liberty eventually came out victorious over Dallas, 102-93 in overtime. New York has now won five out of their last six, while Dallas has now dropped three straight and six out of their last seven.
The duo of Shavonte Zellous and Tina Charles continue to impress, scoring 28 and 25 points respectively, while Sugar Rodgers contributed 19 points herself. For Dallas, Skylar Diggins-Smith had 23 points and Allisha Gray had 16 points and nine rebounds, all but locking up the Rookie of the Year award. After starting the season slow for their standards, New York looks like a legitimate contender. Tonight we just have one game, one that Vegas doesn’t think is going to be close.
Season
Spread: 23-21
Over/under: 22-22
Connecticut Sun (+10, -110)
Minnesota Lynx (-10, -110)
Total: 160.5
I’ve got to say, this spread surprised me when I first saw it. Connecticut has won three straight, including an impressive 96-76 win over the Liberty on Wednesday night. In that game, Courtney Williams poured in 22 points while Jonquel Jones recorded another double double, her fifth of the season. The Sun are slowly climbing the rankings in many categories, now ranking third in defensive rating, third in rebounds per game and fourth in rebounding percentage. Jones is a true All-Star, Williams is flourishing in her role as a goto scorer and the team is shooting 41.1% from three, the best in the WNBA by over three percentage points. This team still has to prove they can beat the better teams in the league, as their win over New York is their only victory to date over a team that is top 5 in the standings.
At this point, talking about the Lynx feels so mundane. They are really good. Even when they aren’t at their best, they still find ways to win. Sylvia Fowles is averaging 21.9 points per game to go along with 10.1 rebounds and at this point you have to figure the MVP is hers to lose. Maya Moore has had a down year, but her last two games she has begun to look like herself again and Rebekkah Brunson has redefined her game, hitting six three pointers already after hitting just two such shots in the previous 13 seasons. The Lynx are good.
The Sun have been so good lately and you’ve got to appreciate the turnaround they’ve had, but the Lynx have been dominant. With a winning margin of 18.6 points over the last five games, including a 82-68 win over this Sun team last time they played, I’ve got to give the edge to them. I’ll take the Lynx and the under.