Mystics vs Storm Betting Predictions | WNBA Betting Preview
The last two teams to win the WNBA Finals will meet this Tuesday when the Seattle Storm host the Washington Mystics. As always, we’re proud to bring you our take on Mystics vs Storm picks!
HISTORY: The Storm and the Mystics have split the previous six matchups, with Seattle winning the last meeting 71-64.
Mystics Finding Stride
Washington (6-6) has adjusted to life without standout Elena Delle-Donne, as the newly acquired Tina Charles has come in and taken on the alpha role successfully. The Mystics have won four of their last five games, and they nearly defeated the Las Vegas Aces at the beginning of the month. Washington is starting to find their form early, in what seems to be a wide-open Eastern Conference.
With the former 2x WNBA MVP on the shelf, Charles has come in and averaged career highs in her eleventh season. She’s scoring a league-leading 24.5 ppg, and grabbing 9.1 rpg. Myisha Hines-Allen joins her up front, and she’s taken off since the championship campaign.
The fourth-year forward is averaging 14.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg and she scored 32 in the near-win over the Las Vegas Aces. Theresa Plaisance’s inclusion into the starting lineup gives the Mystics more size, and she had a double-double in the win over Indiana.
Ariel Atkins and Natasha Cloud start in the Mystics backcourt. Atkins is enjoying her best season yet, averaging a career-best 19.1 ppg, and she scored a career-high 29 points against the Aces. Cloud is fifth in the league in assists (5.5), and nearly had a triple-double (10/9/11) in the win over Atlanta. while Wiese is fourth in three-point percentage (47.6).
Storm Continuing to Surge
After splitting their back-to-back with the Dallas Wings, Seattle (12-2) has responded by winning their last five games. The Storm swept Atlanta and Indiana on the road, and picked up a statement win in Connecticut over the Sun.
Seattle has been an offensive juggernaut, and they rank first in scoring (88.3), three point percentage (40.1%), and assists (32.2). Breanna Stewart has been stellar so far, as she’s third in the league in scoring (21.1) and she’s grabbing a career best 10.1 rebounds per game. 2x WNBA Finals MVP is coming off of her two best performances of the season against Indiana.
Sue Bird and Jewell Lloyd form one of the best backcourt duos in the league. Bird, who just joined her record 5th best Olympic team, just continues to be steady and consistent.
The future hall-of-famer is averaging 11.4 ppg and 6.1 apg. Despite coming off of her lowest point outing of the season Loyd is averaging career highs across the board with 18.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, and 4.1 apg. She’s scored 22 or more three times this season and flirted with a pair of triple-doubles. Katie Lou Samuelson and Mercedes Russell round out the starting lineup, and the latter grabs 6.1 rpg.
Players to Watch
Jewell Loyd
The 2x All-Star has been in a bit of a shooting slump as of late, but returning home could lead to an outburst from her. She scored 25 in their last two home games, and they will need her best against a hot Mystics team.
Tina Charles
The 2012 WNBA MVP has kept Washington afloat during what feels like a transition period. She’s come in and been the catalyst for a team that could very well win the Eastern Conference. This could be a statement game if Charles could lead the Mystics into Seattle and come out with a victory.
Mystics vs Storm Prediction & Pick
This could be a dark-horse Finals preview. Seattle has picked up where they left off, and they look like the favorites to not just win the Western Conference but to repeat as champions. There are only a handful of teams in the league who can match their firepower, size, and depth, and Washington is one of those.
Tina Charles’ play has been phenomenal, and the Mystics are starting to get production from everyone. This one should come down to the play of the stars, but it’s really hard to see them upsetting the Storm in Seattle.
Washington has a chance to cover the giant 15-point spread, but after their 5-game road win streak, look for Seattle to return home and pick up the victory. Take the Seattle Storm today.
