Charlie Cummings breaks down his pick and prediction for Tuesday’s game between the Chicago Sky and the Washington Mystics.

We’re in the stretch run of the WNBA season. Many games will be make-or-break for most teams. The Washington Mystics (and their playoff chances) are hanging on each game; the same cannot be said for the Chicago Sky.

Washington currently sits in the eighth seed, and precariously so. They could move up to seventh by the end of the night, or drop all the way into a tie for 10th. The Mystics need to start playing like every day could be their last, because it could be.

Unfortunately for the Sky, their last day has already passed. Five games behind Washington, there’s little hope for Chicago to make a run at the postseason this year. It’s going to be another year of rebuilding, figuring out which pieces work alongside Angel Reese and which need to be replaced.

The Mystics are 6.5-point favorites at home at -278 on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is set at 157.5 points. Let’s look at the best bets and predictions for this contest.

Sky vs. Mystics prediction, pick

If there’s something the Mystics can hang their hat on this season, it would be their defense. Brittney Sykes remains a terror in the backcourt. The rookie duo of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen has managed a good balance; Citron chases ballhandlers around, and Iriafen cleans up the boards.

The role players fit around them well. Sug Sutton gives them another backcourt defensive option, Shakira Austin anchors the frontcourt well, and Jade Melbourne can pull together multiple lineups. It’s going to be a very difficult equation for this Chicago Sky team to solve.

They made moves to take a step forward in the offseason, but that hasn’t been the reality. Unable to consistently score or defend, they’re going through another season without a concrete identity. The formula for winning games has, by and large, been “Angel Reese, please save us”. She’s grown a lot this season, but isn’t nearly the kind of talent to carry such a subpar squad.

The problem is, I have a tough time believing in this Mystics offense, no matter who they’re facing. Even with the low over/under, I’m fading both offenses here.

The Pick: Under 157.5 Total Points (-110)