A couple of teams clinging to playoff hopes will meet as the Chicago Sky host the Washington Mystics. The Mystics are currently two games behind the Sky, who are clinging to the eighth seed.
My Mystics vs. Sky prediction is below.
Mystics vs. Sky Prediction
Losing Angel Reese was a significant blow to the Sky, who had come to rely on her offense and her talent on the glass. However, her rebounds have to be picked up by somebody, and that is going to be fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso. Cardoso pulled down 11 rebounds in the first game without Reese and has snagged at least nine boards in six of her past seven games. On Wednesday, she faces a Mystics team with the second-worst rebound percentage in the league.
Mystics vs. Sky Pick: Kamilla Cardoso to Record 10+ Rebounds (-210)
Mystics vs. Sky Odds
| Mystics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 161 -110/-110 | +110 |
| Sky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 161 -110/-110 | -132 |
Washington Mystics: Battling for a Playoff Spot
The Mystics got off to a terrible start to the season as they lost their first 12 games, but have played mostly average basketball since. A recent stretch that has seen them win five of seven has put them on the edge of the playoff race, though if the postseason started today, Washington would be out.
Coming in with a -3.8 point differential, the Mystics get double-digit point production from four players. Ariel Atkins leads the way at 14.9, while Brittney Sykes (12.3), Shakira Austin (11.8) and Stefanie Dolson (10.1) round out the group.
Atkins has been pretty consistent, reaching double figures in 28 of 35 games this season, including 17 of her past 19. She is second on the team with 5.4 3-point attempts per game, making 1.9 of them.
Washington's 79.3 points per game rank fourth-worst, while its offensive rating is third from the bottom. The Mystics play at a middle-of-the-pack pace, but lead the W in turnovers and turnover percentage.
Chicago Sky: Cardoso Stepping Up
The Sky are riding a two-game winning streak after dropping their previous seven games. Finishing the season without Reese, this team is forced to replace her production in points, but even more so on the glass.
Leading the Sky in scoring is Chennedy Carter, who is averaging 17.5 points to go along with 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists. She is supported by Marina Mabrey at 14.0 points per game and Cardoso, who is chipping in 9.7 points to go along with 8.0 rebounds per game.
Carter is having a career year, averaging more points, rebounds and steals, while shooting a career-best 50% from the field. She has scored at least 25 points in two of her past three games and had efforts of 34 and 33 before the extended break.
With Carter being a rare scorer who doesn't shoot much from 3, the Sky instead turn to Mabrey and Rachel Banham, who attempt 6.7 and 4.4 3s per game, respectively.
The Sky rank near the bottom of the league in points scored and are in the middle in points against, rankings that are supported by the advanced stats that show they play at a middling pace.
Mystics vs. Sky: Bet Cardoso's Rebounds Prop
Given what's on the line, this figures to be a highly competitive game. Neither team is particularly great offensively, however, which means there should be plenty of rebound opportunities. That's where Cardoso comes in. Already averaging eight per game on the season, she pulled down 11 in the first game without Reese and should post a similar number in this one, against the team with the second-worst rebounding percentage in the W.
Mystics vs. Sky Pick: Kamilla Cardoso to Record 10+ Rebounds (-210)
