Lynx vs Storm Odds: Seattle Given Slight Edge at Home
Seattle's Jewell Loyd is WNBA's Top Scorer, Averaging 24.5 PPG
Behind a career performance from forward Napheesa Collier, the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 104-93 at home on Tuesday to remain on the periphery of the WNBA playoff race. Two days later, the Storm will look to return the favor when the teams meet again, this time in the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle is currently a 2-point favorite and -130 on the moneyline, with Minnesota priced at +110. The projected total is 163.5. Let’s dive deeper into the matchup in our Lynx vs Storm odds preview.
Minnesota Lynx vs Seattle Storm
Day/Time:
Location: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
Streaming: CBSSN
Makings of a New Era
After saying goodbye to a pair of future Hall of Famers during the offseason — Sue Bird retired and Breanna Stewart signed with New York — the Seattle Storm signaled a commitment to rebuild. In the midst of seismic change, it was a bold yet necessary step. Yet, there’s a cost involved.
The Storm are sitting near the bottom of the WNBA standings at 4-10. For a franchise that’s won four championships since 2004, it’s a strange position to be in. Nevertheless, that’s how things are and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.
In the absence of both superstars, former No. 1 pick Jewell Loyd has taken over as Seattle’s No. 1 option on offense. Loyd currently leads the WNBA in both scoring (24.5) and 3-pointers made per game (3.3), though she was held to a season-low 14 points in Tuesday’s loss. Loyd also ranks third in minutes played (35.3). As such, the 29-year-old guard was named a starter for next month’s All-Star Game in Las Vegas.
Notably, the Storm played without Jordan Horston, who remains questionable for Thursday with a right shoulder injury. Houston, selected ninth overall out of Tennessee in April’s draft, notched her second double-double last week in a loss to Connecticut. She’s averaged 7.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals, proving to be a key contributor off the bench. Be sure to check on her status while you assess the Lynx vs Storm odds.
More Dominance by Collier
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier scored a career-high 33 points to go with 10 rebounds in Tuesday’s win. It’s the continuation of a brilliant month for the former UConn standout, who over her last five games is averaging 24.6 points.
Collier doesn’t have a ton of help at the moment, though rookie Diamond Miller did provide 18 points and five assists. Kayla McBride also scored 18 points.
Minnesota is just 5-9. However, believe it or not, the playoffs are still a possibility. Atlanta is currently in the eighth and final spot, a half-game ahead of the Lynx and Fever at 5-8. If Minnesota does manage to sneak in, the odds of it doing any real damage are slim. That said, it’d represent tangible progress for a franchise thick into a rebuild.
Miller drafted second overall out of Maryland, has shown flashes of being a dynamic player. However, an ankle sprain has limited her to six games. She’s averaging 11.7 points on 42.6% shooting.
Handicapping The Game
Collier is outstanding. That’s indisputable. However, like Seattle, Minnesota’s roster is still very young. The Lynx have given fans reason for optimism, but there’s still plenty of work to be done to get the franchise back into serious contention following Sylvia Fowles’ retirement. Though they beat Seattle once already, asking them to do it again — for the second time in three days, no less — is a bit more difficult. Based on that, Seattle is shaping up to be a slight home favorite in our Lynx vs Storm odds preview.
For WNBA lines, betting news, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
Follow us on Twitter
