On Wednesday, 06/11, the Seattle Storm (5-4) will host the Minnesota Lynx (9-0) in a WNBA regular-season matchup. The Storm are right in the middle in the sixth spot while the Lynx have one of the two best records in the league. Can Seattle break Lynx’s winning streak here? Check the predictions related to player props, total, and spread here.
Seattle Storm: Can be much better
The Storm will come into this game after an impressive 89-77 win against the gutsy Phoenix Mercury. Skylar Diggins led the way with 26 points. Meanwhile, Gabby Williams chipped in with 21 points. Seattle shot an amazing 12/22 from the three-point line, holding their opponents to 32% from deep(8 makes).
However, Seattle’s journey was easier because the Mercury were without their superstar, Alyssa Thomas. Before that, they suffered a three-game losing streak, all against teams with a +.500 record. It has been a huge problem for the last few years.
But they are on the right track. The Storm is shooting 46.3%(3rd) while conceding just 42.7%(7th). A few tweaks can help them enter at least the top-five rankings.
Minnesota Lynx: Hungry for a ring
The Lynx come into this game after a superb 81-65 against the Dallas Wings, as Napheesa Collier had an excellent 26-point, 10-rebound effort. They were an excellent 13/31 from deep and had 25 assists against just 6 turnovers. Meanwhile, they held their opponents to just 29.2% from the field, while forcing 15 turnovers. It was a typical Lynx win.
They have three straight games with double-digit margins and are becoming better with each game. Scary, innit? One big hallmark of the team is their slow pace, focus on ball movement. They have the slowest pace (76.5), and rank number in assists (23.8 APG).
They limit opponents to 27.8 % shooting from deep, once again being #1 in the category. Minnesota is built to ace the modern WNBA scene.
Lynx Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Courtney Williams | SG: Kayla McBride | SF: Bridget Carleton | PF: Napheesa Collier | C: Alanna Smith
Key bench players: PG: Natisha Hiedeman, SF: Karlie Samuelson.
Injuries/Updates: Jessic Shepard is listed as OUT.
Storm Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Skylar Diggins | PG/SG: Erica Wheeler | SF: Gabby Williams | PF: Nneka Ogwumike | C: Ezi Magbebor
Key bench players: C: Dominique Malonga, SF: Alysha Clark, SG: Zia Cooke
Injuries/Updates: Katie Lou Samuelson is listed as OUT.
The Storm’s scoring has improved, especially since Gabby Williams has found her groove. They are usually figuring in the early to mid-80s range. On the other hand, the Lynx is usually in a similar range, too.
Meanwhile, they are a terrific defensive squad, limiting opponents in their 70s and even 60s in some remarkable efforts. The projected score here is in the mid-150s, which is just about right. I’d expect the total to go “Over”, expecting both teams to touch the 80 mark.
Total: Over 155.5 for -115 at BetMGM
Naphessa Collier O 22.5 points: Collier has been on a tear once again and has emerged as an MVP frontrunner. She is averaging 25.5 PPG, scoring 23 or more in six of the last eight games.
Gabby Williams O 14.5 points: The Storm Wing has been in phenomenal rhythm lately. Scoring 18 or more in four of the last five games. Thus, I expect her to get “Over” the mark here.
Kayla McBride O 2.5 three-pointers: McBride is one of the best long-range shooters in the league. She has made 3 or more triples in four of the five games, so going for “over” seems safe.
Main pick: Points: Kayla McBride Over 2.5 three-pointers for -110 at BetMGM
The Lynx are in wonderful shape here. They have already beaten the Storm by 5 points earlier in the season. It was a close loss, so the Storm can smell an upset here. The bookmakers project a -4.5 spread in favor of Lynx, which is in line with their last win against the Storm.
Meanwhile, I expect the Storm to break Minnesota’s winning streak and will pick them to cover the spread.
Spread/Money Line Pick: Spread: Storm +4.5 for -115 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
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