Mystics’ Losing Streak is Over. Now What?
Chicago Slightly Favored on Sky vs Mystics Betting Odds
The Washington Mystics are finally in the win column after a franchise-worst 0-12 start to the season. Looking to build on their first win, the Mystics host the Chicago Sky on Friday. The Sky vs Mystics betting odds have Chicago as a 2.5-point favorite and -135 on the moneyline, with Washington +114 to win outright. The projected total is 159, with a slight edge to the Under at -112.
Who has the edge? Read on as we break down both teams and assess the odds in our WNBA game preview.
🏀 Sky at Mystics 🏀
📊Records: Chicago Sky (4-7), Washington Mystics (1-12)
📍Location: Entertainment & Sports Arena, Washington, D.C.
⏰Day/Time: 📺Streaming: ION
Sky vs Mystics Betting Trends
The Chicago Sky are 5-6 against the spread (ATS), including 3-2 away from home. They are also 5-6 against the Over/Under.
The Washington Mystics, meanwhile, are 7-5-1 ATS. That includes 2-3 at home. As for the Over/Under, Washington is 6-7.
That’s important to remember when assessing our Sky vs Mystics betting odds.
Cloudy Skies Ahead?
With five losses over its last six games, Chicago continues to flutter. The Sky are just 4-7 following Wednesday’s 83-75 defeat to first-place Connecticut.
Rookie Angel Reese turned in another strong performance despite the loss, recording 20 points and 10 rebounds for her fourth straight double-double and fifth overall. In doing so, Reese, the No. 7 pick out of LSU, became the first rookie in this year’s class to surpass 100 points and 100 rebounds per WNBA stats.
Despite her recent play, Reese remains a distant third in the Rookie of the Year race at +1300 behind the draft’s top two picks, Indiana’s Caitlin Clark (-850) and Los Angeles’ Cameron Brink (+900).
Projections pegged Chicago at 12.5 regular-season wins. Even with steady contributions from Reese and fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso, the No. 3 pick from South Carolina, the Sky could struggle to reach that total. The Sky have made five straight playoff appearances, including winning the WNBA title in 2021. They are +145 to keep that streak alive, down a smidge from +115 last week.
Miserable Start Continues
Washington’s losing streak is mercifully over. The Mystics curbed their woeful 0-12 start with an 87-68 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday.
The Mystics, 6.5-point underdogs, got 18 points apiece from Brittney Sykes and Ariel Atkins.
Projected for 11.5 wins, second-fewest in the WNBA besides Los Angeles (9.5), the Mystics still have ways to go to match expectations. They’re unlikely to come anywhere close to that total, especially without a proven commodity like Elena Delle Donne to carry them night in, and night out.
The two-time MVP and seven-time All-Star is taking an indefinite leave from basketball after playing only 51 games the last three seasons because of back issues. Delle Donne also sat out the entire 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns. Set to turn 35 in September, she’s played possibly her last game in a Mystics uniform.
Lacking the star power needed to compete on a nightly basis, the Mystics rank near the bottom of the league in most categories. They are last in scoring (75.4) and rebounding (31.8) and second-to-last in offensive efficiency (41.3%). Opponents have outscored Washington by an average of 7.0 points. This is the second-worst disparity in the league after Indiana at -10.8.
Mystics odds list Washington as the league’s biggest longshot at +40000.
Handicapping the Game
This is the second of four meetings between Chicago and Washington this season. The Sky won 79-71 on June 6 behind a game-high 25 points off the bench from Chennedy Carter and 16 points and 11 rebounds from Reese.
Aaliyah Edwards, meanwhile, had 23 points and 14 boards for Washington.
The Mystics remain shorthanded, with center Shakira Austin expected to miss another game because of a strained hip. Austin, averaging 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds, is listed as out on the WNBA injury report. So, too, is Sykes, who injured her left foot in Tuesday’s win.
The injury differs from a left ankle issue that forced Skyes to miss 10 games earlier this season. She left the game on crutches.
As for Chicago, Elizabeth Williams (knee, out) and Diamond DeShields (ankle, probable) are both listed.
For WNBA betting news, odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
