On Sunday, the Chicago Sky (5-11, 11th) pay a visit to the Minnesota Lynx (15-2, 1st) for a WNBA showdown in the Target Center. Chicago beat the Los Angeles Sparks 92-85 last Sunday. Chicago is 3-7 in its last 10 and trails first-place Minnesota by 9 ½ games. Minnesota defeated the Washington Mystics 92-75 on Thursday, and the Lynx have won three of the last four. Minnesota leads the league by 3 games over the New York Liberty. Chicago will play without Kamilia Cardoso, Ajsa Sivka, and Courtney Vandersloot. Minnesota will play without Aubrey Griffin, Dorka Juhasz, and Karlie Samuelson. Make sure to read this in-depth Chicago Sky vs Minnesota Lynx prediction. The court is calling! Discover our NBA picks for Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx prediction and rule the game.
Chicago needs to improve at both ends of the court
The Chicago Sky are 12th in scoring and points allowed at 78.8 points and 87.8 points per game, respectively. Chicago shoots 42.3% overall and 32.2% from 3-point territory, which are both 9th. Chicago’s defense allows opponents to shoot 45.5% overall and 39.2% from 3-point territory, which are 12th and 13th, respectively.
The top two scorers for Chicago are Ariel Atkins, who averages 14.6 points per game, and Angel Reese, who averages 12.4 points per game. Kamilia Cardoso averaged 12.7 points per game, which was second, but has left the Sky to play for the Brazilian National Team. Reese leads Chicago in rebounds, averaging 12.6 per game, and assists, averaging 3.8 dishes per contest. Atkins is the leader in steals at 1.8 per game, and Elizabeth Williams is the rim protector, averaging 0.8 blocked shots per game.
Minnesota is tough at both ends of the court
Minnesota is second in scoring, averaging 85.8 points per game, and first in points allowed, averaging 74.2 points per game. Minnesota shoots 46.7% overall and 36.2% from 3-point territory, which are both first in the league. Minnesota holds opponents to 40.4% shooting overall and 28.4% shooting from 3-point territory, which are both second-best in the league.
The top two scorers for Minnesota are Napheesa Collier, who averages 24.6 points per game, and Kayla McBride, who averages 15.4 points per game. Minnesota has two other players who average double figures in scoring. Collier is the leading rebounder, averaging 8.2 boards per game, and the leader in steals at 1.7 per game. Courtney Williams is the dish leader, averaging 6.1 assists per game, while Alanna Smith is the rim protector, averaging 2.5 blocked shots per game.
Best Bets for Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Minnesota was upset by Indiana earlier this week in the Commissioners Cup Championship Game but bounced back with a strong effort when defeating Washington on Thursday. Minnesota has the best field goal shooting and three-point shooting percentages and is second second-best in field goal shooting and three-point shooting percentages allowed. Minnesota has covered the spread in six of its last eight games overall and the Lynx have covered the spread in 12 of the last 17 games against the Chicago Sky. Chicago struggles to score as the Sky are 12th or next to last, and Chicago is also next to last in points allowed The Sky are playing without their second leading scorer and rebounder Kamilia Cardoso and against an opponent that is first in scoring and second in points allowed, Cardoso’s absence will be very noticeable.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The total has finished under in five of the last seven games played between Chicago and Minnesota. The Lynx are first in scoring and Chicago is next to last in points allowed. Chicago is next to last in scoring but will put up enough in a lopsided loss to the Lynx, to help push the total over. Minnesota is first in field goal shooting overall and three-point shooting, which gives the Lynx more points in fewer possessions helping to push totals over.
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