Mystics vs. Storm Odds
| Mystics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -106 | 156.5 -110 / -110 | -230 |
| Storm Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -114 | 156.5 -110 / -110 | +185 |
The second ABC game of the day doesn't carry quite the same steam that the Wings-Liberty opener does, but the Washington Mystics heading to Seattle to take on the Storm does hold some potential intrigue with a team looking to get right but potentially without their best player.
Elena Delle Donne, the Mystics most important player by far, is questionable for Sunday with neck tightness, and given her injury history and that the Storm are arguably the worst team in the WNBA, the Mystics may be leaning towards precaution.
That being said, this Mystics team really needs a "get right" game, and Sunday would seem to provide that opportunity — at least on the surface.
Washington Mystics
The Mystics started off the season on a great note, defeating the new potential superteam in New York with ease, seemingly putting the league on notice that in order to join the top ranks of the W, you have to really earn that spot. However, things have been decidedly less great for the `Stics since, with a pair of losses to the Connecticut Sun setting the tone for a 3-3 stretch in which the team just hasn't looked right, even in its wins.
The low point was a two-point loss to the previously winless Minnesota Lynx. Now, the Mystics play the other one-win team in the league, and they may be without their best player.
The Storm and Mystics just played on Friday, and while the result was a 73-66 win, it was far from impressive, given the fact that the Storm were without Jewell Loyd who is their everything on offense, and the Mystics were fully healthy. Now, the shoe is on the other foot, with Delle Donne potentially out, while Loyd is probable to play.
Seattle Storm
As such, there's a lot of intrigue on the Storm spread, if not moneyline.
When Loyd was out last game, I noted Seattle's offensive rating with Loyd on the court versus off the court:
Jewell Loyd won’t be considered for MVP, but should be given the chance based on this stat alone. Jesus Christ pic.twitter.com/oWPrYv73Az
— Dano Mataya (@drmataya) June 9, 2023
Well, now it's Washington's turn:
EDD’s on/off numbers this year. pic.twitter.com/gw4qxL9wQE
— Dano Mataya (@drmataya) June 10, 2023
EDD is still questionable, so there's a chance she plays, but the number will undoubtedly move should she be officially be ruled out. The good news is that with the WNBA, you can actually beat the books to making the bet sometimes.
Mystics-Storm Pick
As such, my recommended play for this game, should you have the time to do so, is to set up alerts for Delle Donne, and be ready to pounce should she be ruled out. If she is indeed ruled out, the Storm spread and moneyline are both certainly live, and with a little bit of wiggle room (I'd take Storm +4 and moneyline +140).
If EDD is out, the player prop angle is obviously to grab some players on the Mystics who will have to fill the scoring load. Shakira Austin would be my pick to fill that role, and I don't think her numbers will move too sharply that there won't still be some value. Austin has made another jump in her sophomore season and is an incredibly talented big, ready to carry the full load, potentially.
Pick: Storm spread and moneyline if EDD sits; Shakira Austin points over if Delle Donne sits
