The Money Line: WNBA odds, predictions for Sunday, June 18

Dallas Wings (+8, -110)
Washington Mystics (-8, -110)
Total: 175.5

A fun thing I’ve noticed is how the over/under number for Mystics games has slowly grown each game as Vegas realizes how serious their offense really is. It has been a full week since the Mystics have been in action and last time out was a superb performance. Led by Elena Delle Donne (who else?) with 25 points, Washington hit 10 threes and out rebounded Indiana 43-23 in a 88-70 victory at home. Delle Donne, second in the league in scoring at 21.1 per game, is a guaranteed starter in the All-Star game and is someone who is in the MVP conversation if Sylvia Fowles ever comes back to Earth. Though their three-point percentage leaves some to be desired (34.1%, sixth in the league), the Mystics are making a league-high 7.4 threes a game, getting 26.5% of their points from the long ball, just the way the team was constructed to do.

For Dallas, there is so much promise but so little of it resulting in wins yet. After falling short against New York in overtime on Friday, Dallas has now lost three straight games and six of their last seven. Not to sound like a broken record player, but the Wings defense has to improve in order for the wins to come. Owners of the second worst defensive rating in the league, Dallas also allows the second highest true shooting percentage and third highest effective field goal percentage to opponents. Skylar Diggins-Smith and Glory Johnson have both shown flashes, albeit a bit inconsistently, and Allisha Gray is the runaway Rookie of the Year currently, so there are positives for this young team. The biggest question is when will it all click, if at all?

Dallas is dangerous on offense and the last time these two teams played it was close until late, but I like Washington at home here. Like I promised at the beginning of the season, its a Washington game, so I’m taking the over.