It’s a matchup with major playoff implications when the Washington Mystics visit the Chicago Sky Wednesday night.
Trailing the eighth-seeded Sky by two games and just five to play, Washington is a 1.5-point road dog in the WNBA odds. And my Mystics vs. Sky prediction is for them to narrow that gap in the standings tonight.
Read on for September 11’s best WNBA picks below.
Mystics vs Sky predictions
My best bet
Mystics moneyline (+104 at FanDuel)
My analysis
The Washington Mystics are playing their best basketball of the year, overcoming a grim 0-12 start, and still in contention for the WNBA’s eighth and final playoff spot.
They have won five of seven, though are coming off a 78-71 loss to the Minnesota Lynx last time out.
Defense has been a big help during this run, allowing just 79 points per game, tied for Top 4 in the league over that stretch. Washington also ranks Top 4 in both field goal and 3-point shooting D.
The Mystics are middle of the pack, averaging 81.4 points per game, but they are dynamite from distance, ranking first in 3-point shooting with a 38.7% clip on 26 attempts per contest.
There’s nothing fancy about the Chicago Sky’s brand of basketball: get inside and get physical. They lead the league in paint points, delivering 41.8 per contest, and are third in second-chance points.
After breaking an ugly seven-game slide, Chicago has now won two straight to maintain its grip on eighth. However, those two were against the two worst teams in the league in L.A. and Dallas. Worse yet, All-Star Angel Reese (a hallmark of that physical play) is done for the season with w wrist injury.
There are no gimmes the rest of the way, with their final five games featuring teams either chasing them or in playoff position. Meanwhile, the inspired Mystics are trying to win their third straight in this season series, and have taken seven of the last 10 games against Chicago.
Chicago’s offense has been in rough shape over the last nine, averaging just 78.1 points while turning it over 16.1 times per contest, tied for the worst mark over that span.
Led by their improved defense, look for the Mystics to tighten the gap and make this playoff chase a little more interesting to close out the year.
Mystics vs Sky same-game parlay (SGP)
Mystics moneyline
Kamilla Cardoso Over 11.5 rebounds
Ariel Atkins Over 13.5 points
Now that Reese is done for the year, that rebounding void looks to be filled by fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso.
She ripped down 11 boards in her first start since Reese was injured in Chicago’s win over the Sparks, but Cardoso has been pretty active on the glass lately.
In her last 10 games, the third pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft has five double-digit rebound efforts, missing that mark by a single board on two other occasions.
Washington is the worst defensive rebounding team in the league, pulling down just 24.4 per game. Cardoso should make hay inside on the offensive end, to push her Over the 11.5 rebounding total set Thursday.
Mystics guard Ariel Atkins has a very reachable 13.5-point scoring line, slightly depressed after going Under that total in two straight, including scoring 12 last game against the Lynx.
However, since the Olympic break, Atkins has been scoring at a good clip, topping her total six times in the last nine outings. She’s also scored 14 or more against the Sky in Washington’s last two wins, including erupting for 29 in an 83-81 win on June 14.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Mystics vs Sky odds
Mystics vs Sky live odds
Get the latest Mystics vs Sky WNBA odds for tonight.
Mystics vs Sky opening odds
- Spread: Washington +1.5 (-112) | Chicago -1.5 (-108)
- Moneyline: Washington +110 | Chicago -134
- Over/Under: Over 160.5 (-112) | Under 160.5 (-108)
Mystics vs Sky spread and Over/Under analysis
- Washington is 5-1-0 against the spread vs Chicago in the last six games.
- At 6-12, Chicago has the third-worst home record in the WNBA.
- The Under has cashed in six of the last seven head-to-heads.
- Chicago has gone Under the total in six of its last nine games.
Mystics vs Sky trend
Washington has gone Over the total in three of its last four games. Find more WNBA betting trends for Mystics vs. Sky.
Mystics vs Sky game info
| Location: | Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Wednesday, 9-11-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MNMT, The U |
Mystics vs Sky latest injuries
Mystics: Shakira Austin C (Out).
Sky: Angel Reese F (Out), Diamond DeShields G (Out), Elizabeth Williams C (Out).
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
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