Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun Prediction, Preview and Odds - 5/28/21
A pair of Eastern Conference teams tangle on the hardwood up in the Nutmeg State in WNBA action. The Washington Mystics are on the road as they make the trip to face the Connecticut Sun Friday night. Washington split a two-game road set with Indiana as they bounced back with an 85-69 win Tuesday night in their most recent contest. Connecticut went to the wire but came up a 90-87 overtime loser on the road against Seattle Wednesday night to suffer their first defeat of the season. Last season in the bubble, the teams split two meetings with the Sun earning a 76-63 “road” win in the most recent matchup on August 30, 2020.
Washington Mystics Look to Even Record
Washington bounced back from a loss to Indiana on the road Sunday as they picked up a win over the Fever Tuesday night to split that two-game road set. The Mystics entered Thursday holding the final playoff spot in the field as the top eight teams in the league qualify. Against Indiana, Washington used an 8-0 run spanning the first and second quarters to break a 15-15 tie and led the rest of the way. The Mystics were up 14 at the half and didn’t let the Fever get closer than seven in the second half en route to the victory. Washington shot 50% from the field, including 12 of 26 from three-point range, and overcame a 33-26 disadvantage on the glass. Tina Charles led the Mystics with 30 points plus six rebounds in the victory.
The Mystics are ninth in the league in scoring offense with an average of 77.8 points per contest this season. Washington comes in seventh in the league in rebounding (35.6 boards per game) and is 10th in assists by handing out 17.6 dimes a night. The Mystics are second in the league in scoring defense by allowing an average of 78.2 points a contest. Tina Charles leads the Mystics with 26.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest this season. Ariel Atkins is the only other player scoring in double figures as she puts up 15.2 points a night. Erica McCall, Natasha Cloud, Theresa Plaisance, Sydney Wiese, Kiara Leslie, Stella Johnson, Shavonte Zellous, Leilani Mitchell and Jillian Alleyne are key pieces for coach Mike Thibault. Washington is 11th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 38.2% from the floor as a team. The Mystics are third in the league in threes per game (9.2) and stand seventh in the league in three-point percentage (31.9%) on the year. Washington is excellent at the charity stripe as they are tops in the league by sinking 86.3% of their chances this season. Star forward Elena Delle Donne is currently still out as she continues her recovery from offseason back surgery. Leslie is questionable with an illness.
Connecticut Sun Hoping to Rebound From First Loss
Connecticut opened the year with five straight wins but came up just short against the defending champion Storm, falling overtime on the road their last time out. The Sun are 5-1 on the season and entered Thursday tied with the Liberty for the top spot in the WNBA. Against Seattle, Connecticut trailed by four after one quarter, by six at the half and by four after three quarters before rallying to force overtime. The Sun held the Storm scoreless for the final 2:37 but couldn’t overcome the 8-0 run they gave up in the first minute to fall just short. Connecticut shot 47.1% from the field, including eight of 19 from three-point range, but was hurt by 16 turnovers. Jonquel Jones led the Sun with 28 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
The Sun is fifth in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 82.5 points per game so far this season. Connecticut is second in the league in rebounding (40.5 boards a night) while they stand sixth by dishing out 19.5 assists a game on the year. The Sun have been good defensively as they are first in scoring defense by allowing an average of 72.3 points per game. DeWanna Bonner is second on the Sun with 18.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists a game. Jonquel Jones (team-high 20 points, 11.2 rebounds), Natisha Hiedeman (12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, three assists) and Brionna Jones (13.2 points, 5.8 rebounds) each average in double figures. Jasmine Thomas (9.8 points), Briann January, Beatrice Mompreier, Stephanie Jones, DiJonai Carrington and Kaila Charles are important pieces for coach Curt Miller. Connecticut is fifth in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 44.3% as a team. The Sun are fourth in three-pointers per game (8.8) and second in three-point percentage (40.2%) on the year. Connecticut has sputtered at the charity stripe as they convert on 75.3% of their attempts, which is 9th in the league. January suffered an ankle injury May 19 against Indiana and missed the last three games: she’s questionable for this contest. Alyssa Thomas remains out as she recovers from offseason surgery for a torn Achilles.
Pick: Connecticut Sun -7.5
While the Mystics are coming in off a win and the Sun off their first loss of the season, the fact remains that the competition level for both teams was drastically different. Washington beat an Indiana team that was winless before beating the Mystics Sunday while Connecticut was edged by three in overtime by the defending champions on the road. The Sun are a dangerous group that are aggressive on the glass and they have the ability to burn teams from the perimeter. If Delle Donne was playing, then the Mystics would have a better shot but without her, it’s too much pressure on Charles to try and carry them here. Give the advantage to Connecticut at home here as they get back in the win column.
Total: Under 156.5
Washington has seen the under hit in three of their five games this season. Meanwhile, Connecticut has seen the under come up in four of their six contests on the year. We’re looking at the top two teams in the league in scoring defense in this one, which makes things a bit more challenging offensively. Washington is struggling to shoot the ball as they are second-worst in the league in field goal percentage while the Sun are second in field goal percentage defense (39.1%) and fourth in three-point field goal percentage defense (31.1%) on the year. This one ends up falling short of the total as the Mystics have their issues putting the ball in the hoop.
