The Seattle Storm are shaping up as a dangerous playoff threat this season, and they enter as big favorites tonight against the lowly Washington Mystics.
These teams squared off on Tuesday, with Seattle landing an 83-77 win, and while Washington has since rebounded with a solid victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, my Mystics vs Storm predictions favor Jewell Loyd & Co. on the whole.
See why I like Loyd to score at will tonight in my WNBA picks.
Mystics vs Storm predictions
My best bet
Jewell Loyd Over 20.5 points (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
The Seattle Storm have evolved in a big way, and their more balanced attack is paying off. That includes an adjustment for Jewell Loyd, who’s still the head of the snake but no longer operating as a one-woman offense.
It wasn’t uncommon to see an O/U points prop in the mid-20s for Loyd in 2023 as Seattle continually put the ball in her hands, but Nneka Ogwumike's arrival and Ezi Magbegor's development have made the Storm a real contender.
Make no mistake, though, Loyd is still one of the WNBA’s most reliable bucket-getters, and I’m drawn to the Over on her points prop tonight at a manageable 20.5.
Loyd was held to 18 points when these teams collided in D.C. last week, but I don’t expect a repeat of the 12 shots she took in that contest.
She had fired up at least 18 field-goal attempts in five of her previous seven games — and had scored 21 or more points in three straight, including a 30-point masterpiece against the Los Angeles Sparks. That’s the recipe I’m buying into with this pick.
While she’ll never be the most efficient scorer (37% from the field in 2024), Loyd is a solid volume play as long as she’s logging big minutes, and her points total has the cushion of getting to the free-throw line seven times a game.
With the Seattle offense humming to the tune of 83.8 ppg (the third-best mark in the league) and fresh from six days off, I see Loyd leading the way tonight, especially having faced this Washington defense last week.
Mystics vs Storm same-game parlay (SGP)
Jewell Loyd Over 20.5 points
Mystics +9.5
Brittney Sykes Over 14.5 points
While it’s easy to see why the Storm are pegged as favorites, the 9.5 line is high. After all, the Washington Mystics have covered the spread in their last six games playing on two days’ rest and they’re 7-2 ATS in their past nine games after an ATS win.
Seattle hasn’t covered the spread in any of its last five outings and survived a scare last week against Washington, who outscored the Storm 47-39 in the second half. The hosts have been racking up wins at Climate Pledge Arena, but I prefer to lay the points with the Mystics in this spot.
The visitors will need to be sharp offensively to keep pace, and Brittney Sykes’ return from an ankle injury has already been a boost next to Ariel Atkins in the Washington backcourt.
Sykes was at her best in a 28-point performance against the Sparks on Friday, and she should get enough touches to keep the Over in play after taking a combined 36 shots in her past two games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Mystics vs Storm odds
Mystics vs Storm live odds
Get the latest Mystics vs Storm WNBA odds for tonight.
Mystics vs Storm opening odds
- Spread: Washington +7.5 (-110) | Seattle -7.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Washington +280 | Seattle -360
- Over/Under: Over 161.5 (-110) | Under 161.5 (-110)
Mystics vs Storm spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Storm bring an impressive 11-3 home record into this clash, and they’ve won all three meetings with the Mystics this season.
- The Mystics are 3-10 on the road but have been a good ATS pick overall (16-8-1).
- The Over is 6-1 in the Mystics’ last seven games after a win, and the teams delivered 160 total points last week despite Seattle’s miserable 3-for-23 effort from downtown.
- But the Storm have trended towards the Under lately — it’s hit in their past four home contests and is 4-1 in their last five matchups against Eastern Conference opponents.
Mystics vs Storm trend
The Storm are 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a victory. Find more WNBA betting trends for Mystics vs. Storm.
Mystics vs Storm game info
| Location: | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA |
| Date: | Monday, 8-26-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | WNBA League Pass |
Mystics vs Storm latest injuries
Mystics: None.
Storm: Mackenzie Holmes F (Out).
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
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