Wings vs Sun Betting Preview: Connecticut Trying to Stop Two-Game Skid

After losing to the Dallas Wings last weekend, the Connecticut Sun will look to return the favor when the WNBA contenders meet again Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Connecticut opened as a 2-point favorite and has moved to a 4-point favorite (-110) and -165 on the moneyline, with Dallas priced +145. The projected total is 169 (-110). Read on as we break down both teams in our Wings vs Sun betting preview.

No Need to Worry About Sun

The Connecticut Sun have dropped two straight, including a 91-81 loss to the Dallas Wings last Saturday. Despite that, the Sun maintain the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 21-9 and are third in the overall WNBA standings, 3.0 games behind the New York Liberty.

It’s a relatively favorable position, especially with the playoffs not far off. While the Las Vegas Aces (-215) and Liberty (+210), the WNBA’s newly anointed “Super Teams,” are the clear betting favorites, Connecticut is a distant third at +2200.

The Sun uncharacteristically struggled on defense last week, allowing 90 or more points in both losses (11.2 points above their season average). However, it may have been just an aberration.

Keep in mind, five-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner played only two minutes in one of those games, a 90-84 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. The veteran forward returned to the lineup two days later on the WNBA schedule but was not herself, shooting only 1-of-7 over 29 minutes against Dallas. Bonner is not listed on the injury report for the rematch with the Wings, which bodes well for Connecticut. Keep that in mind while assessing the odds in our Wings vs Sun betting preview.

Bonner’s fiancee, forward Alyssa Thomas, continues to excel. Thomas is averaging 15.3 points and leads the WNBA in rebounds (10.1 per game) and assists (8.1), in addition to triple-doubles (five). As such, Thomas remains on the board for WNBA MVP, albeit as a +1400 longshot behind New York’s Breanna Stewart (-150) and Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson (+140), the reigning winner.

Fixing Defense a Priority for Dallas

Dallas’ victory over Connecticut ended a three-game slide in which they allowed 104 points each time. The Wings are 16-14, second in the Western Conference and fourth in the overall WNBA standings, 1.5 games up on the Atlanta Dream.

But if they want to stay there — or potentially move up — the Wings will need to solve their defense woes.The Wings are giving up the fourth-most points on average (84.1). The three WNBA teams behind them in that regard all have losing records.

Dallas must also figure out how to win consistently on the road, where they are just 6-8. Six of the Wings’ last 10 regular season games are on the road, starting Friday. After Connecticut, the Wings will visit the Washington Mystics and Minnesota Lynx, currently tied for sixth place. That’s a tall order for Dallas, especially as the stakes grow higher.

Dallas has one of the most explosive duos in guard Arike Ogunbowale and forward Satou Sabally. Both former Top 5 draft picks, Ogunbowale and Sabally, have combined to average 39.9 points per game, which accounts for 46.1% of the Wings’ scoring. Forward Natasha Howard has contributed significantly, too, averaging 17.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. Thanks to that trio, the Wings are the league’s third-highest-scoring team (86.4 PPG), trailing only the Aces and Liberty.

The Wings currently own the fifth-best title odds at +3000.

Handicapping the Game

Sabally had 28 points in Saturday’s win, helping Dallas pick up its first victory in three tries against Connecticut this season. Stopping her isn’t easy, but the Sun will need to do a much better job if they plan on bouncing back. That also means slowing down Ogunbowale, who scored 23 points the last time out.

Connecticut hasn’t dropped three straight games all season, and it’s now at home. Despite its recent struggles, Connecticut remains the biggest threat to Las Vegas and New York. Its resilience in overcoming the loss of center Brionna Jones (season-ending Achilles injury) spoke volumes about its capabilities down the stretch.

It’s hard to trust them in a big spot until the Wings show they can play better on the road. Thus, Connecticut should be a slight favorite in our Wings vs Sun betting preview.

For WNBA betting news, odds, analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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