Washington Mystics (-6.5, -110)
Indiana Fever (+6.5, -110)
Total: 163.5
Once one of the hottest teams in the league, the Washington Mystics are officially skidding as they have now lost three straight. Two of those losses, against L.A. and Connecticut, both featured the Mystics getting a huge lead then blowing it; the 22 points lead they gave up against the Sun was the second largest comeback in WNBA history.
Elena Delle Donne actually had a season-high 28 points in that game on effective 12-of-18 shooting, while Kristi Toliver and Emma Meesseman chipped in 17 and 16 points, respectively. The issue in that game was Washington’s defense. With a rating of 121.5, the Mystics defensive rating was an astounding 13 points worse than the average of the worst defensive team in the league (who, ironically, is the Fever). Their rebounding percentage was 53.8, a good number for a team who was once the second best rebounding team in the league. The Mystics need to get some stops when it matters because offensively, they are good enough to play with anyone.
The Fever are on a three game losing streak of their own and the last one had to hurt the worst. Joining Chicago as just the second team to lose to San Antonio this season, the Fever were victims of the same issues that have been keeping them down all summer. A rebounding percentage of just 44.3%, the Fever remain the worst rebounding team in the league, something that is compounded by their struggles on offense. Candice Dupree leads the way with 14.7 PPG and has an All-Star case, but the consistency of this team as a whole on offense always leaves you wondering who is going to score when it matters most. The team has recorded five of their seven wins this season at home, so they have that going for them.
Both teams are desperate to get a win as the Mystics try to snap New York’s two year reign as Eastern Conference champs, and the Fever are just two games out of the last playoff spot. Also, if it matters, Washington won the only matchup this season 88-70. I think the better team takes care of business tonight though, so give me Washington and the over.