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The Money Line: WNBA odds, predictions for Sunday, July 16

By Blake DuDonis

UNCASVILLE, CT - JULY 08: Connecticut Sun guard Shekinna Stricklen (40) reacts after making a three point shot during the second half of an WNBA game between Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun on July 8, 2017, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Connecticut defeated Washington 96-92. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT - JULY 08: Connecticut Sun guard Shekinna Stricklen (40) reacts after making a three point shot during the second half of an WNBA game between Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun on July 8, 2017, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Connecticut defeated Washington 96-92. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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UNCASVILLE, CT – JULY 08: Connecticut Sun guard Shekinna Stricklen (40) reacts after making a three point shot during the second half of an WNBA game between Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun on July 8, 2017, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Connecticut defeated Washington 96-92. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT – JULY 08: Connecticut Sun guard Shekinna Stricklen (40) reacts after making a three point shot during the second half of an WNBA game between Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun on July 8, 2017, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Connecticut defeated Washington 96-92. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

I said it somewhat jokingly last time but seriously, somebody stop the Chicago Sky! Their win streak is now at three after yet another impressive victory, this time over the New York Liberty 78-68 and as crazy as it might sound, you have to wonder if the absence of Cappie Pondexter might have been the best thing to happen to the Sky. I obviously hope Cappie gets better soon and heals completely, but its impossible to ignore how much better the Sky have looked in her absence. Not only that, but Cappie is having her worst scoring and shooting season of her 12-year WNBA career, something that has to be taken into consideration.

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Regardless of where your opinion falls on that, its been fun seeing the Sky rolling and they are now back within striking distance of the players. Four games on tap today; let’s get it.

Season
Spread: 36-31
Over/under: 31-35

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 15: Isabelle Harrison
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 15: Isabelle Harrison /

San Antonio Stars (+15, -110)
Connecticut Sun (-15, -110)
Total: 160.5

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. After winning five straight, the Sun finally fell to the Los Angeles Sparks 87-77 on Thursday night. Jonquel Jones had 20 points and has seemingly emerged as the next great post player in a league full of them while the rest of the team struggled offensively on this particular night. Sun fans shouldn’t worry about that too much though as the young Connecticut squad is on the type of trajectory you would hope a team like this would be on. In the past four games, the Sun are top three in offensive rating, defensive rebounding percentage, total rebounding percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio. The only real question is why assistant coach Nicki Collen told me to my face that I’m a hilarious Twitter follow yet she doesn’t follow me. More on that story as it unfolds.

After failing to win a single game over their first 14 games, the Stars have now won two of their last four showing at least some signs of life. While still ranking poorly in many categories, their defensive rating has improved over the last four games, as has their rebounding percentage. In their last game, a win over the Indiana Fever, the team managed to win without Moriah Jefferson who is in concussion protocol. A large part of that was due to the play of Kayla McBride (18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists), as well as Erika de Souza, Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum who all scored in double digits. The team is still not a serious contender but much credit to them for still battling and pulling out a few wins.

I don’t think this game is an issue at all of who wins, but simply by how much. Last time these two teams met, the Sun won by 32. I don’t know if it will be that large of a gap, but I still like the Sun to cover and to hit the over. 

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