The Lynx and Sky are going head-to-head in Minnesota on Sunday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Lynx are a 14.5-point favorite and this contest carries a total of 160 points.
Below, I break down this matchup between the Lynx and Sky and give a pick for the game.
Lynx vs. Sky preview, prediction
After being upset by the Caitlin Clark-less Fever in the Commissioner’s Cup final last week, the Lynx have cruised to two easy double-digit wins. This season, Minnesota sits at a league-best 16-2 and the club leads the WNBA in net rating by a solid margin. Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is leading the league with a career-high 24.5 PPG this season and she is the current favorite to be named the WNBA’s MVP, with -300 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
As for the Sky, the team has struggled this season with a 5-11 record and ranking second-to-last in net rating. That being said, Chicago is in solid form, as the club has won two of its last three games, with both victories coming against the Sparks.
This will be the first time the Lynx and Sky have faced each other this season and while Minnesota is the far superior team to Chicago, the Sky do have a clear advantage in rest. Chicago hasn’t played since last Sunday, while the Lynx just played last night, which is the club’s fourth game since last Sunday. Also, Alanna Smith injured her knee in the Lynx’s win over the Valkyries on Saturday and it remains to be seen if she will be able to suit up Sunday.
Given this is the second night of a back-to-back for Minnesota, Smith feels unlikely to play, which would be a notable loss for the club. The forward averages 10.4 PPG and she is one of the best defenders in the WNBA. Last season, Smith finished second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year. The Lynx are 1-0 with Smith inactive this season and Minnesota has two solid options in Jessica Shepard or Bridget Carleton to start in place of Smith if she is out. However, the Lynx’s league-best defense will likely suffer if Smith is sidelined.
Lynx vs. Sky pick, best bet
Even if Smith is inactive, the Lynx should defeat the Sky on Sunday, especially with this game being played in Minnesota. At home this season, the Lynx are a perfect 10-0, as last week’s Commissioner’s Cup final didn’t count toward the regular-season standings.
While Minnesota should notch its 17th win of the season Sunday, the team covering this large 14.5-point spread is a different story with the Lynx playing its second game in two nights. The Sky have only lost by 15+ points once in their last seven games and as noted above, Chicago enters Sunday’s matchup as the winner of two of its last three games. 83% of the handle and 67% of the bets for this matchup between the Lynx and Sky on DraftKings Sportsbook are backing Chicago +14.5, and tailing the public here is a smart move.
