Mystics vs Lynx Predictions, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s WNBA Game

The WNBA is back, and right out of the gates, we get to reassess a trendy title darkhorse.

Could the Minnesota Lynx be viable contenders? They struggled going into the month-long Olympics break, going just 3-4 outright and 1-5 against the spread in their last seven games. 

However, they were shorthanded for most of that stretch, and Napheesa Collier’s return should not be underrated. That may be enough to justify a three-bucket spread tonight against the Washington Mystics.

I delve into this matchup even further in my Mystics vs. Lynx predictions and WNBA picks for Thursday, August 15.

Mystics vs Lynx predictions

My best bet
Lynx -8.5 (-105 at BetMGM)

My analysis
A couple weeks before the break, the Minnesota Lynx were listed as a 9-point home favorite against Washington, in the first game where Napheesa Collier was sidelined by plantar fasciitis. Collier is, hands down, the best player on the Lynx roster. That loss hurt.

Minnesota fell short of that spread, winning 74-67, but that became a common thread without Collier, going just 1-3-1 ATS without her heading into the Olympics break.

Collier is back with a gold medal, having played 23.3 minutes per game in Paris, third most on the U.S. team. She should be presumed 100%. That alone should juice this spread past that July 6 number, but instead, the number is half a point shorter.

The prudent gambler tries to ascertain why the spread went in the other direction. The obvious answer is that the Lynx struggled in those weeks, but could it all be ascribed to Collier? Probably not, but at least a healthy chunk of it could be.

Some rest should help Minnesota reset, and adding Collier back will improve all facets of the Lynx. Meanwhile, the Washington Mystics need no reset; the Mystics are likely to increase their tank down the season’s homestretch, and no addition improves that roster.

Minnesota will welcome back multiple Olympic champions tonight, so a homecourt edge should also be assumed. Of course, that is baked into any line, but perhaps a touch more in this instance.

Mystics vs Lynx same-game parlay (SGP)

Lynx -8.5

Under 157

Napheesa Collier Under 19.5 points

+500 at DraftKings

Collier did not provide much scoring at the Olympics, most notably going just 1-of-7 from deep through six games, but that was not her role on the national team. Then again, it often isn’t in Minnesota either, especially not with Kayla McBride’s torrid shooting in 2024.

Nonetheless, the Lynx fell off both offensively and defensively without Collier. Her return should emphasize Minnesota’s previously best defense anew, to the Mystics’ chagrin.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Mystics vs Lynx odds

Mystics vs Lynx live odds

Get the latest Mystics vs Lynx WNBA odds for tonight.

Mystics vs Lynx opening odds

• Spread: Washington +10.5 (-110) | Minnesota -10.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Washington +425 | Minnesota -600
• Over/Under: Over 155.5 (-115) | Under 155.5 (-105)

Mystics vs Lynx spread and Over/Under analysis

• Some look-ahead lines during the Olympics established the Lynx as 10.5-point favorites, but when they reopened this week, that number had fallen to -8.5. It valleyed at -7.5 on Wednesday before returning to -8.5 on Thursday afternoon.
• The total was set at 156.5 weeks ago before opening this week at 155.0. The O/U gradually climbed to 157 before settling at 156.5 at most books.
• Including the night when the plantar fasciitis began to bother Collier, Minnesota finished the first half of the season with a 1-4-1 ATS stretch. Prior to that, the Lynx had been 14-6 ATS.

Mystics vs Lynx trend

The Under is 7-1 in Minnesota’s last eight games. Find more WNBA betting trends for Mystics vs. Lynx.

Mystics vs Lynx game info

Mystics vs Lynx latest injuries

Mystics: No key injuries to report. 
Lynx: No key injuries to report.
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.

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