We’re in the home stretch of the Unrivaled season and the intensity of the matchups is heading up. The Phantom and Mist are tied for the #2 seed at 6-3, so this game is going to have huge implications on the postseason race. Both teams will be going full-tilt at one another.
The Mist are 2.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the Phantom sit as +114 underdogs. The game total is set at 139.5 points. Let’s get into my prediction and pick for this Unrivaled matchup.
Phantom vs. Mist Preview
The roster construction for the Phantom has paid off in a big way. Kelsey Plum dictates the offensive flow, Aliyah Boston dictates the defense, and the rest of the roster does a great job complementing those two. Kiki Iriafen, Tip Hayes, and Natasha Cloud have all been big-time at various points in this season. In their first matchup, a 64-61 win for the Phantom, the defense showed out as they held Breanna Stewart to 7-for-20 shooting.
The Mist need a bit more from Stewie this time around, but they’ll also look to her offensive co-stars for support. Allisha Gray has been uber-efficient this season, averaging 21.6 PPG and dishing out 3.1 assists per game with only 1.7 turnovers. Veronica Burton is a smart scorer who takes her chances without forcing the issue and is a great floor general. It’s a good supporting cast around their superstar.
I love the roster construction for both teams, and they have the high-end talent to go far. It feels like this game comes down to the supporting casts, and who can best hold up their stars.
Phantom vs. Mist Pick
In the first matchup, the Mist struggled to handle the Phantom’s size. I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Kiki Iriafen and Aliyah Boston is a brutal one-two punch of paint domination, and their lineups together smother teams around the rim and on the glass. Stewart doesn’t care about size issues, but the remainder of their roster sure does. The Phantom’s success on the glass and around the rim will define this game and deliver the win.
