The Money Line: WNBA odds, predictions for Sunday, July 30

Washington Mystics (PK, -110)
Atlanta Dream (PK, -110)
Total: 164.5

As previously mentioned, the Mystics last game was rained out, meaning that the team will go nearly three weeks between home games. The last time they were at home, the Mystics hosted this very same Dream team and won in a 100-96 overtime thriller that saw the Mystics overcome a 21-point deficit to pull out the win. Kristi Toliver scored a season-high 29 points, hitting seven three-pointers, Emma Meesseman had 18 points and Krystal Thomas pulled down 17 rebounds in the victory, overcoming the absence of Elena Delle Donne who was out with an injury. The Mystics own the best record against their conference at 9-2 and are battling Connecticut for the Eastern conference crown. Tied for first in made three-pointers in the league, Washington will have to navigate the rest of the season without Tayler Hill who tore about every muscle possible in her knee, but this team is clearly one to contend with.

Poor Layshia Clarendon. The California product retroactively had her triple-double, which occurred during a 99-91win over Phoenix last week, rescinded after a review determined that she was incorrectly given her tenth assist. Regardless, Atlanta finds itself firmly in the playoff race currently sitting in 8th place but battling with New York, Phoenix, Dallas and Seattle, one of whom will be left out of the party. The Dream are one of the worst offensively rated teams in the league, but one of the best defensive ones, explaining why they are so ho-hum this season. With true shooting and effective field goal percentages towards the bottom of the rankings, the Dream have to find a way to score the ball. If they do, their defense is such that they would be a difficult out in the playoffs.

Vegas views this game as dead even and I think that is reasonable, but I’m going to roll with the Mystics and the over.