Seattle Storm at Connecticut Sun (-4, 143.5)
The last time the Storm managed to beat the Sun, Mariah Carey’s Emancipation of Mimi ruled the charts, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was the top hit at the box office and President George W. Bush was beginning his second term in office.
Yeah, 2005 is a long time ago.
Since then, the Sun have taken the past six meetings between the squads as they are emerging as a top team in the Eastern Conference. Connecticut, which also is 5-1 ATS versus Seattle during the streak, has won two of its past three and seven of 11 at home this season.
The Storm, however, have lost three of five and each of their past two on the road. In fact, Seattle’s most recent wins have come by a combined four points.
Pick: Sun -4
San Antonio Silver Stars at Phoenix Mercury (-6.5, 177.5)
Fans of defense, methodical possessions and low-scoring games should avoid this matchup.
The Silver Stars have nearly been an automatic over play the past two months. Seven of their past eight games have surpassed the total as the team tries to compensate for its mediocre defense (76.7 ppg) by unleashing dynamic scorers Becky Hammon (20.7 ppg) and Sophia Young (17.2 ppg).
The Mercury have also been one of the best over plays in the league this season, posting an over/under mark of 16-7 overall and a staggering 9-3 record at home. The team has struggled to find a consistent rhythm since suspended star Diane Taurasi returned to the lineup from her suspension, but still sees plenty of points with the league’s best offense (92 ppg) and worst defense (88.7 ppg)
Each of the team’s previous two meetings also topped the number this season.
Pick: Over 177.5