Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun Prediction, Preview and Odds - 8/17/21
It’s an interconference tilt on the WNBA parquet as a pair of teams firmly in the playoff picture take the floor in the Nutmeg State. The Minnesota Lynx seek to keep rolling as they make the trip to face the Connecticut Sun Tuesday night. Minnesota comes in off an 88-78 home victory over New York Sunday night in their first game since the Olympic break. Connecticut drubbed Dallas 80-59 on the road in their first game since the Olympic break on Sunday afternoon. The Lynx have won the last five meetings between the teams, including a 79-74 overtime win at home in the first matchup this season May 30.
Minnesota Lynx Seeking Ninth Straight Win
Minnesota ran their win streak to eight games as they downed New York at home in their first game since the Olympic break Sunday night. The Lynx improved to 13-7 on the year and own the fourth seed in the WNBA playoff picture, two games behind the Aces and Storm for the top record in the league. Minnesota led by three after the opening quarter and by as many as 10 in the first half before seeing their lead trimmed to four at the half. The Lynx trailed by one after three quarters and held a one-point edge with 3:42 to play before closing the game on a 14-5 run to earn the win. Minnesota shot 48.5% from the field, including six of 19 from three-point range, and controlled the glass by a 36-30 margin. Sylvia Fowles led the Lynx with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the victory.
On the season, the Lynx are 4th in the league in scoring offense with an average of 83.6 points per game. Minnesota is 7th in rebounding as they collect 35.3 boards a night while the team is third in assists by dishing 21.2 dimes a night. The Lynx are fourth in the league in scoring defense as they give up an average of 79.9 points per contest this season. Sylvia Fowles is second on the team with 16.2 points plus 9.9 rebounds per contest. Kayla McBride (14.2 points), Crystal Dangerfield (8.2 points, 3.6 assists) and Aerial Powers (10 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists) are solid secondary scoring options. Damiris Dantas, Napheesa Collier (17.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists), Jessica Shepard, Layshia Clarendon (10.3 points, 5.7 assists), Bridget Carleton, Rachael Banham, Natalie Achonwa and Linnae Harper are looked at to be contributors for coach Cheryl Reeve. Minnesota stands second in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 46.2% from the field as a team this year. The Lynx are 6th in the league in three-pointers per game (7.2) and 6th in three-point shooting as they hit 34.5% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Minnesota is 5th in the league in free throw shooting as they hit 81.9% of their attempts at the charity stripe. Powers is out eight to 10 weeks after undergoing thumb surgery June 18 for a torn UCL. Achonwa (knee) is questionable here while Rennia Davis (foot) is out indefinitely at this point in time.
Connecticut Sun Looking to Prevail at Home
Connecticut bounced back from a trouncing in the Commissioner’s Cup final as they took care of business against Dallas on the road Sunday. The Sun enter this game 15-6 on the year, leading the Eastern Conference by four games over the Sky. They held the third seed in the WNBA playoff picture, half a game behind the Aces and Storm for the top spot. Against Dallas, Connecticut used an early 7-0 run to take a 17-8 lead and cruised the rest of the way. The Sun led by 10 after the opening quarter and didn’t let the Wings closer than that the rest of the way. Connecticut shot 50% from the floor, including seven of 17 from three-point range, and controlled the boards 34-22. Jonquel Jones led the Sun with 19 points and 15 rebounds in the win.
The Sun is 9th in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 79.4 points per game so far this season. Connecticut is second in the league in rebounding (37.1 boards a night) while they stand 9th by dishing out 18 assists a game on the year. The Sun have been good defensively as they are first in scoring defense by allowing an average of 72.5 points per game. DeWanna Bonner is second on the Sun with 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists a game. Jonquel Jones (team-high 20.9 points, 11.3 rebounds), Natisha Hiedeman (8.1 points) and Brionna Jones (15 points, 6.9 rebounds) each are valuable contributors. Jasmine Thomas (11.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists), Briann January, Beatrice Mompreier, Stephanie Jones, DiJonai Carrington and Kaila Charles are important pieces for coach Curt Miller. Connecticut is fourth in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 44.1% as a team. The Sun are fifth in three-pointers per game (7.3) and fourth in three-point percentage (35.9%) on the year. Connecticut has been mediocre at the charity stripe as they convert on 79.8% of their attempts, which is 7th in the league. Alyssa Thomas is questionable as she recovers from offseason surgery for a torn Achilles.
Pick: Minnesota Lynx
This is about the momentum that Minnesota has in their pocket coming in here. Eight straight victories, highlighted by wins over Las Vegas both at home and on the road, has the Lynx flying high. Minnesota has dropped Connecticut five straight times and they have really come together after that slow start to the season. The Sun are a tough team right on the heels of the Storm and Aces for the top spot in the WNBA playoff picture but we’ve seen them struggle against good teams. Minnesota earned the win in the first meeting between the teams this season and they ride their momentum to a tight win in this contest.
Total: Under
Minnesota has been blasting away offensively, scoring at least 82 points in seven of their eight games in this win streak and not fewer than 77 points in any of those contests. The Lynx have seen the over hit in 11 of their 20 games on the year though the under has hit in four of their last five games. Connecticut is a stingy defensive team, leading the league in scoring defense while ranking second in field goal percentage defense (40.9%) on the year. The Sun have seen the under hit in 14 of their 21 games on the season, including five of their previous seven heading into the break. That trend continued by falling 18 points short of the mark in the Commissioner’s Cup final Wednesday and continued with another 18-point under against Dallas. These teams have stayed under the mark in each of the last five meetings. With the Sun’s defense controlling things, this one ends up under the mark.