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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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PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 23: Kiah Stokes
PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 23: Kiah Stokes /

Washington Mystics (+2.5, -110)
New York Liberty (-2.5, -110)
Total: 155.5

What a game this looked to be before the Mystics were punished in their last games by the basketball gods. Though they defeated the Fever 72-58, it came at a cost as both Elena Delle Donne and Tayler Hill both went down with injuries and didn’t return. Delle Donne’s injury appears to be just an ankle issue, one that should heal relatively soon, whereas Hill’s appeared much more serious from the get go. Sadly, news came today that Hill did in fact tear her ACL and is done for the season, casting the burden now to Emma Meesseman, Kristi Toliver and the Mystics bench. Both Meesseman and Toliver have had some highs and lows, but Washington is going to need every ounce of their ups today.

The Liberty were once one of the teams that was clearly a cut above most of the others in the league. Now? Well, I don’t know. They have lost two straight, and five of the last six, all while Kiah Stokes has found herself in head coach Bill Laimbeer’s doghouse. Stokes’ struggles and Laimbeer’s comments on them can be found here, but its clear this team is missing something. Tina Charles is Tina Charles, but the play of everyone else has left some to be desired. New York has been one of the worst offensive teams this season, especially over the last few days, ranking dead last in true shooting percentage and not faring much better in the other important categories.

I’m really not sure what to do with a team missing two of its best players taking on a team that is struggling to find itself. Passing on this one is the right decision but for the article’s purposes, I’ll roll with the Mystics rallying around their fallen teammates and the under.

Chicago Sky (+6.5, -110)
Dallas Wings (-6.5, -110)
Total: 171.5

I mentioned it in the open but seriously, what has gotten into the Sky? Winners of three straight after winning just three games the entire season prior to the streak, Chicago has taken down this very Dallas team as well as New York and the Minnesota Lynx. During the streak, Chicago has flipped the script, leading the league in both true shooting and effective field goal percentage, as well as offensive rating and rebounding percentage. On the downside, they do have the highest turnover percentage but it seems that every time they put up a shot its dropping. While Pondexter does provide an iso scoring option for the Sky, the team has shared it at a much better rate without her. They have also received excellent play from Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and Stefanie Dolson, all of them breaking the 20 point mark at least once during the winning streak. Cappie is out again today so we will continue to see how the team plays in her absence.

Dallas continues to struggle as of late, a loss to the Sky in the middle of their skid. In that game, Skylar Diggins-Smith put up 20 with Allisha Gray chipping in 18, but their downfall was the third quarter when they were outscored by Chicago 32-13. That quarter, and game, is a decent indicator of the Wings all season: hot and cold. They rank in the middle of the pack offensively, while down at the bottom on D. Their shooting and rebounding are nothing to write home about either, so add that up and you get a team that 9-11 and the same type of team both home and away. When the Wings are on, they are tough to beat, but its always a question of when that will be.

I would venture that Dallas might win this game, but I can’t ignore the play of Chicago lately. With the +6.5, give me the Sky and the over.

Phoenix Mercury (+14, -110)
Minnesota Lynx (-14, -110)
Total: 164.5

Speaking of the basketball gods, they deprived us another great game right here. One of the hottest teams in the league currently, the Mercury will have to figure out how to manage without Brittney Griner who they lost to a knee and ankle injury last game. That game was against the Lynx and they found themselves to be 17 points losers once that one was all said and done. Griner, who is expected to miss 3-4 weeks, is having an MVP worthy season and the Mercury have needed that play to be successful. Removing her and Diana Taurasi‘s numbers, the rest of the team is scoring just 42.3 points per game and hauling in 21 boards a game. This will be their first test without Griner and it couldn’t come against a more difficult opponent.

The Lynx beat this same team by 17 and were going to win even if Griner didn’t get hurt. This could get ugly.

Lynx. Over.

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