Liberty vs. Mystics Odds
| Liberty Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -114 | 162.5 -110 / -110 | -150 |
| Mystics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -106 | 162.5 -110 / -110 | +122 |
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This is the best matchup of the night; two of the consensus top-three teams squaring off in a battle of talent versus continuity.
That is obviously oversimplifying things and underselling the talent on the Mystics, but Washington is a team that returns four of its five starters and sees its head coach keep the same last name (Eric Thibault is taking over for his dad, Mike).
The Liberty, on the other hand, brought in a pair of former MVPs and the all-time assists per game leader — not a bad offseason haul.
This line has already moved like crazy since opening at Washington -3.5 and now sits around New York -2.5 at most spots. If you follow in the Action Network App (@TurveyBets), you may have been able to get in on both sides of that line, but as it has settled, it is a pretty fair side and total.
As such, I am going to the player props and looking at Ariel Atkins and her points total. Atkins averaged 14.6 points per game last season, but the books have opened this number at 12.5 (juiced to the over). I believe the thought is that with a fully healthy Elena Delle Donne and a newly imported Brittney Sykes, Atkins will see her touches diminished. And that could certainly be the case, but Atkins is they type of player who doesn’t need the ball to thrive and can actually see her efficiency improve with more talent around her.
I also like Atkins points over as a result of that potential lack of continuity on the Liberty right now. Defensive rotations out to shooters are one of the trickiest parts of a new team coming together, and a deadeye shooter like Atkins is the perfect player to take advantage.
I’d play this number to over 14.5 +100 (or over 13.5 at -130)
The Picks: Atkins over 12.5 points
