Charlie Cummings breaks down his pick and prediction for Tuesday\u2019s game between the Chicago Sky and the Washington Mystics.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for the Sky, their last day has already passed. Five games behind Washington, there\u2019s little hope for Chicago to make a run at the postseason this year. It\u2019s going to be another year of rebuilding, figuring out which pieces work alongside Angel Reese and which need to be replaced.<\/p>\n
The Mystics are 6.5-point favorites at home at -278 on the moneyline<\/a> on DraftKings Sportsbook<\/strong><\/a>. The total is set at 157.5 points. Let\u2019s look at the best bets and predictions for this contest.<\/p>\n Sky vs. Mystics prediction, pick<\/p>\n If there\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s going to be a very difficult equation for this Chicago Sky team to solve.<\/p>\n They made moves to take a step forward in the offseason, but that hasn\u2019t been the reality. Unable to consistently score or defend, they\u2019re going through another season without a concrete identity. The formula for winning games has, by and large, been \u201cAngel Reese, please save us\u201d. She\u2019s grown a lot this season, but isn\u2019t nearly the kind of talent to carry such a subpar squad.<\/p>\n The problem is, I have a tough time believing in this Mystics offense, no matter who they\u2019re facing. Even with the low over\/under, I\u2019m fading both offenses here.<\/p>\n