The Minnesota Lynx lost Game 4, but they still have a chance to close at home because they did what they needed to take — take back home court.
The Lynx are one win away from their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2017, and in their way remains the Connecticut Sun, who forced a Game 5 after rediscovering their shooting, along with their defense (in the second half).
Minnesota Lynx Game 5 Odds vs. Connecticut Sun
| Sun Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 151.5 -110 / -110 | +155 |
| Lynx Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 151.5 -110 / -110 | -190 |
- Lynx spread vs. Sun: Lynx -4.5
- Lynx vs. Sun over/under: 151.5 points
- Lynx moneyline vs. Sun: Lynx -190 to win outright
Why The Minnesota Lynx Can Cover In Game 5
We saw a bunch of overs for Minnesota in Game 5 again.
They went over their team total despite scoring just 32 points in the second half — that was an under. But they went slightly over in the first quarter and way over in the second, the latter a trend for both teams throughout this series.
The Lynx were part of why this game went over, too — you can thank the Sun shooting 8-for-15 from three and dropping 92 points for that, though.
And, of course, the Lynx did not cover after losing by 10.
Napheesa Collier handled business individually, landing at 26 points for the evening, a second consecutive over, while shooting 9 for 15 from the field and 9 for 10 on free throws. She also went over on her boards with 13 as well as her PRA, which concluded at 45 including three assists.
Additionally, the secondary offense was just not there. Only Natasha Hiedeman exceeded 11 points — which is where Courtney Williams ultimately landed in another respectable effort. But Hiedeman had 10 points in Games 1-3 combined and exploded for 16 here on 6 for 10 shooting.
The problem?
Alanna Smith had nine and took just four shots in over 27 minutes. Kayla McBride hasn't hit an over this series in points or threes. She had six in Game 4, her worst game yet, only taking six shots despite logging 34 minutes. (Her assists have gone over in two straight, though.) And Bridget Carleton crashed back to earth after a string of quality outings, shooting 2 for 11, all from three.
Sun vs. Lynx: Count On Collier Racking In A Double-Double
Betting Pick & Prediction
Ultimately, it's hard to discern how the Lynx will approach this, and to me, let's just go with what should work, and that's Napheesa Collier double-double at -115. It's a season on the line game, she might play 40 minutes. She got 18 regular season double doubles in 34 games, and in the playoffs, she's gotten it in two straight. It should be three but she was held to nine points in Game 2, an outlier performance and her season low.
She'll be active, and even if she's inefficient, it'd be stunning to see her miss the double double on points.
Pick: Napheesa Collier Double-Double (-115) — FanDuel
How to Watch Sun vs. Lynx: Time, Channel, Streaming
| Lynx vs. Sun | Tuesday, October 8 |
| Start Time: | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN 2 / ESPN+, YouTube TV |
| Location: | Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Lynx vs. Sun is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET live from Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Tuesday. The decisive Game 5 of the semifinals WNBA playoff matchup is airing on TV on ESPN 2 and streaming live on ESPN+ and YouTube TV.
Minnesota Lynx Betting Trends
- Lynx are 4-1 in their last 5 games.
- Lynx are 4-1 in their last 5 games against the spread.
- Lynx are 15-6 in their road games against the spread.
- The totals have gone OVER in 1 of Lynx' last 5 games.
- The totals have gone OVER in 5 of Lynx' 20 last games at home.
