The Money Line: WNBA odds, predictions for Friday, August 18

New York Liberty (+6, -110)
Connecticut Sun (-6, -110)
Total: 167.5

Remember when the Sun struggled out of the gates and there were a lot of questions about them having enough experience or not? Yeah, I don’t really either. Connecticut has taken the league by storm and have a great opportunity to win the Eastern conference. Not only that, but they are just a game and a half behind the Sparks for the all-important 2-seed which would give them a bye all the way into the semifinals of the playoffs. The play of Jonquel Jones really can’t be overstated, as the clear cut Most Improved Player has logged seven straight double-doubles. Meanwhile Jasmine Thomas, Courtney Williams and Alyssa Thomas have all proven to be threats at any given time. Anyway you look at it, the Sun are for real.

After a mid-season lull, New York has quietly crept back into the conversation, winning three straight and starting to score the ball a little bit better. During their win streak, the Liberty are the fourth best offensive rating team (in contrast to being ranked eight for the season overall) and are rebounding the ball at a league best 55.8%. Tina Charles continues to be great, but the play of Shavonte Zellous on the offensive end has really made the difference lately. Couple all of that with the fact that New York is one of the best defensive teams in the league and you’ve got yourself a tough team on your hands.

This one is really difficult for me. Both teams are playing well and I think the Sun win, but the six points is a lot. Give me NY and the under.