Lynx vs Sky Betting Preview: Playoff Race Heats Up
Minnesota and Chicago are Running Out of Time
Betting Odds Tighten But Still in Favor of Sky
With just over 12 games remaining, the Minnesota Lynx meet the Chicago Sky in a pivotal matchup between playoff hopefuls. These teams have had rough seasons but are not out of it. Both have built some momentum in recent weeks. The lines favor the home team, the Sky, but it has tightened down to just a two-point advantage. As this Lynx vs Sky betting preview elucidates, the underdogs deserve respect.
Game Information
Minnesota Lynx (13-15) vs Chicago Sky (12-15)
Date, time:
Minnesota is a Money Train on the Road
The Minnesota Lynx are what you would call “road warriors.” The team is not only winning on the road with a 7-6 record but also 9-4 against the spread (ATS). That’s the best record in the WNBA on the betting lines. Minnesota would be much worse in the WNBA standings had it not performed this well away from home. The team was an underdog in all of these games.
The secret behind Minnesota’s resurgence? Contributions from its young core. Specifically, Dorka Juhasz and Diamond Miller have played integral roles in helping Minnesota overcome its 0-6 start to the season.
“So much of being successful in this league is believing that you belong, and Dorka believed from the very first day in camp,” Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said on the Locked Women’s Basketball podcast. “She exuded this confidence in herself to emotional maturity, which I thought was off the charts. And it was through injury that Dorka got a huge opportunity. I think she just grew in her confidence.”
Indeed, Juhasz has averaged 7.1 points and 6.9 rebounds since joining the starting lineup. The Lynx are also undefeated (3-0) when she posts a double-double. And her fellow rookie, Miller, hasn’t been shabby either. She’s scoring nearly 13 points per game. And in her five highest-scoring games, Minnesota is 5-0.
These are not coincidences. Minnesota proves WNBA predictions wrong by having players like them step up. On top of that, Napheesa Collier continues to torch opponents with 21.6 points per game.
Look for this trio to continue putting in the work. They’ll be the focus of the game beyond this Lynx vs Sky betting preview.
Chicago Building Momentum For Playoff Push
Minnesota is not the only underdog making a push. Chicago has overcome injuries and is on a three-game winning streak. In fact, the Sky have covered five of its last six spreads. It covered against Las Vegas, then upset Dallas not once but twice.
Kahlea Cooper has been on a tear lately. The three-time All-Star put up 37 against Las Vegas and is averaging 24.7 points in her last nine games. She’s also shooting 45.8% from 3-point range during this span and is taking under 17 shots a game. That’s top-tier efficiency as far as scoring is concerned.
The Lynx vs Sky betting preview expects this team to win a fourth straight game as it hosts Minnesota. On paper, this is an easier game than its two straight against Dallas. Chicago did beat Minnesota 77-66 to open its season. The Sky are also 4-1 in their last five games against Minnesota.
However, the Sky have not covered in its last five home games against the Lynx. Chicago hasn’t played well at home this season. The team is just 5-9 at the Wintrust Arena and has won just one of its last six games here.
Chicago’s defense tends to slack at home, giving up 84.4 points – the third-most in the WNBA. It can’t allow that against Minnesota, an offensively-challenged team. But Minnesota is also 8-3 when it hits the 84-point mark this season.
The Sky need to defend and win now as its 2023 WNBA schedule gets more challenging after Minnesota.
Chicago sits as =160 favorites on the moneyline and is favored by 3.5. The total is 164.5 flat.
