Thursday's Best WNBA Bet
Connecticut Sun at Washington Mystics (-3, 153.5)
These teams kicked off the WNBA schedule against each other on June 4, with Connecticut taking an 89-73 victory over Washington at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Less than two weeks later, the Sun and Mystics mix it up again in the lone game on Thursday’s WNBA slate.
The teams topped the 147.5-point total in the season opener, posting 14.5 points more than the oddsmakers’ number. Since then, both Connecticut and Washington have played over in their two games heading into Thursday’s rematch.
The Sun have topped the total with their scoring, averaging almost 85 points per game. The Mystics, on the other hand, have watched scores climb due to their poor efforts on the defensive end. They’re giving up nearly 88 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 52.4 percent from the floor.
“It speaks to our lack of defensive focus,” Washington head coach Trudi Lacey told The Washington Times after Saturday’s home loss to the Chicago Sky. “We have to execute our defensive schemes, understand personnel, who the 3-point shooters are, and who likes to penetrate.”
Part of the Mystics’ problem on defense is a lack of experienced bodies. Washington has been bitten by the injury bug early into the season and is without Alana Beard, Monique Currie, and Ta’Shia Phillips. Beard and Phillips are game-time decisions for Thursday’s action.
The Mystics are 8-2 over/under in their last 10 contests, dating back to last season. The Sun are 6-4 over/under in their last 10 outings. The teams have gone over the number in three of their last four head-to-head games.
Pick: Over
CONNECTICUT vs. WASHINGTON
Connecticut is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Connecticut is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games at home
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Connecticut