Sun Hope to Curb Skid Against Lowly Mystics
Sun vs Mystics Betting Odds Favor Connecticut (-9)
Looking to end their two-game slide, the Connecticut Sun visit the Washington Mystics Thursday (7 p.m. ET) at Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. This is the third of four meetings between the teams this season, with Connecticut already having won the first two.
Connecticut is a 9-point favorite and -470 on the moneyline, with Washington +360 to win outright. Meanwhile, the projected total is 155.5.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both teams and assess the Sun vs Mystics betting odds in our WNBA game preview.
Connecticut Sun vs Washington Mystics
Day/Time:
Location: Entertainment & Sports Arena, Washington, D.C.
Streaming: NBA TV, MNMT
Sun vs Mystics Betting Trends
The Connecticut Sun are 7-9 against the spread, including 3-4 away from home. Connecticut is also 7-9 against the Over/Under, having gone Under the total in four straight games.
Meanwhile, the Washington Mystics are 10-6-1 ATS, including 6-1 over their last seven games. As for the Over/Under, Washington is 10-7.
Be sure to remember these trends when analyzing the Sun vs Mystics betting odds.
Sun Still Shining Despite Skid
Connecticut is looking to looking its curb its mini skid after a pair of double-digit losses to Las Vegas and Seattle. The Sun still hold the second-best record in the WNBA standings at 13-3, including 5-2 on the road.
As such, the Sun, on the heels of five straight WNBA semifinal appearances, have seen their title odds climb over the last month. They’ve gone from +1000 to +700, third on the odds board behind two-time defending champion Las Vegas (+145) and New York (+190).
Connecticut has one of the league’s most impactful cores in Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones. The trio has accounted for 53.4% of the team’s scoring.
The Sun lead the league in scoring defense (71.7 points allowed per game) and have the third-best point differential at plus-7.6, trailing only Minnesota (plus-10.7) and New York (plus-9.7). And that’s after back-to-back 11-point losses to begin their road trip.
In a scheduling quirk, Connecticut returns home Friday to host Atlanta before heading back on the road for games against Phoenix and Minnesota.
Connecticut’s been difficult for bettors to trust despite its success. Anyhow, the Sun have gone Under the total in four consecutive games. That could continue against the Mystics, who rank 10th in the WNBA in scoring (78.6 PPG). Keep that in mind when assessing the Sun vs Mystics betting odds.
Washington on Hot Streak for Bettors
The Mystics have played better since their franchise-worst 0-12 start. They are 4-1 over their last five games, including back-to-back wins over Dallas.
Even so, they remain a longshot to go anywhere.
The Mystics are just 4-13, and their chances of being a playoff team remain slim. In fact, they’re priced +700 to make the postseason. Even the 3-13 Wings have better odds (+600).
Without Elena Delle Donne, the Mystics lack the star power needed to compete on a nightly basis. The two-time MVP is on an indefinite leave from basketball after playing only 51 games the last three seasons because of back issues. She also sat out the 2020 campaign because of concerns over COVID-19. Set to turn 35 in September, she’s possibly played her last game with the Mystics.
In addition to Delle Donne, the Mystics are also without guard Brittney Sykes (foot) and center Shakira Austin (hip), their second- and third-leading scorers. Their absences have put a lot of strain on Ariel Atkins.
Despite their struggles, the Mystics at least continue to be profitable for bettors. They’ve covered in six of their last seven games, improving their record ATS to 10-6-1. That includes 5-3 at home.
Handicapping the Game
Washington’s depth continues to be tested. Rookie Aaliyah Edwards has missed the last two games because of back soreness, though the Mystics are hopeful she can return against Connecticut. Edwards, the No. 6 pick in April’s draft, has emerged as a bright spot with 8.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
She’s joined on the injury report by guard Karlie Samuelson, who left Sunday’s win with a hand injury. Samuelson, the Mystics’ fourth-leading scorer (9.9 PPG), is listed as questionable.
Regardless, the Mystics could have trouble keeping pace in this matchup. Connecticut has already beaten Washington twice this season, 84-77 on May 17 and 76-59 on June 4, and is just 1-4-1 over its last six games against the Sun per WNBA scores.
Meanwhile, Connecticut will be without guard Moriah Jefferson (ankle) for the next few weeks.
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