Mystics vs Lynx odds
Thursday, August 15
8pm ET
ESPN3 3rd place
Mystics Odds Spread Over/Under Money Line
+8
-110
155.5
-114/-110
+310
Lynx Odds Spread Over/Under Money Line
-8
-110
155.5
-114/-110
-420
The WNBA is back! After a nearly month-long hiatus due to the Olympics, the W's are back with a great lineup of games starting Thursday, including one where the Washington Mystics head to Minneapolis to take on the Lynx.
The Lynx are 8.5 favorites, but there's an intriguing reason why they're underdogs on both sides in their first games back, so let's take a closer look at why.
Washington Mystics: Key players return for the Mystics
Before the 2024 season began, the Mystics were my pick to bet on as a chance, perhaps a brave, long-odds moneyline team, but less than six minutes into the second game of the season (a decidedly brave, five-point loss to the Liberty in the season opener), Brittney Sykes suffered a foot injury that limited her to just 14 minutes of playing time in the first half of the season (a 19-point win over the Dream).
The one-man defense, featuring Shakira Austin, has only played six games this season and only lost one game by double digits, a road trip to New York without Brittney Sykes.
Carly Samuelson also injured her non-shooting hand in June, but with all three players back, this team is once again a brave team ready to take long shots at the moneyline if given the chance.
Minnesota Lynx: Will the Olympics play a key role in the Lynx's return?
And Thursday's matchup is fitting (sorry for the mixed metaphor): The Mystics are back from injury, while the Lynx bring back some key players from the Olympics, including Napheesa Collier, who was crucial for a U.S. team under pressure like never before.
Alanna Smith was also integral to Australia's success, while Bridget Carlton toured for Team Canada.
But perhaps most notably, head coach Cheryl Reeve has been busy balancing playing time for a loaded Team USA roster that will once again be under more pressure than any other team and will face a tremendous amount of scrutiny if it doesn't win the gold medal. Meanwhile, Eric Thibault has spent the past few weeks gearing up for the endgame if Washington wants to stay in the valiant or have a shot at the final playoff spot.
Mystics vs. Lynx: Washington takes on the spread and ML
Betting Selection and Predictions
Putting all of this together, I would bet on Washington. They have been one of the best teams against the spread this season, and they are built around injuries. Now that those players are back, this Washington team will be a threat to even rival teams.
I like betting the spread and moneyline on Washington.
Pick: Washington +8.5; Mystics moneyline +350
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