The Connecticut Sun are in the playoffs and the Chicago Sky are hoping to get there, with the latter's postseason chances coming down to the final game of the season. The game matters for both teams, however, as a win for the Sun would clinch the third overall seed while the Sky need to emerge victorious and then have Atlanta lose its final game to New York.
Let's get to my Sky vs Sun prediction.
Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun Odds
Neither Chicago nor Connecticut rely on offense to win games, but that's mostly because the Sky don't have much of one to point to. Injuries have depleted them of options and now they face a Sun team that can score enough to win when paired with an elite defense. The Sun have not topped 90 points in their last seven games and have failed to reach 80 in their last two, while Chicago has finished with 70 or fewer in three of their last four.
Sun vs. Sky Pick: Under 153.5 (-110)
Sky vs. Sun Odds
| Sky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13 -110 | 154 -108o / -112u | +625 |
| Sun Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13 -110 | 154 -108o / -112u | -950 |
Chicago Sky: Limited Offense Without Angel Reese
What has been an inconsistent season for the Sky has come down to the final game, in large part because of the team having lost its last four games and 11 of its last 13. Offense has been a struggle, especially with star rookie Angel Reese sidelined.
Reese will not be back this season — no matter how much longer it lasts for the Sky — which means the team has relied heavily on Chennedy Carter, who is leading the team with 17.5 points per game. She has notched at least 16 in each of her last eight games, over the course of which she has made just six 3-point shots.
Rookie Kamilla Cardoso has stepped up in Reese's absence, posting at least eight rebounds in eight of her last 10 games while averaging 11.3 points per game over that span. Rachel Banham, acquired from the Sun earlier in the season, is coming off a 22-point effort against Atlanta and has made 13 3s over her last three games.
Chicago's struggles putting the ball in the basket are evident in their having the second-lowest PPG in the W at 78, which is only slightly bettered by their offensive rating, which is third-worst. The Sky play at one of the slower paces in the league, too, but assist on a league-worst 63.7% of their makes.
Connecticut Sun: A Defensive Powerhouse
Another team that isn't exactly finishing the season strong, Connecticut is riding a two-game losing streak going into this one. It's worth noting the losses were to Minnesota and Las Vegas, respectively, and prior to that the Sun had won three straight (albeit with two of those wins coming over Los Angeles).
As they have all season, the Sun feature a balanced offensive approach with six players averaging at least 10 points per game.
DeWanna Bonner is averaging 15.1 points per game, while Marina Mabrey, who was acquired from the Sun during the season, has averaged the same number in 15 games since the trade. Mabrey, in particular, has helped with the team's outside shooting as she takes a team-high 6.4 3s a game while averaging 2.7 makes.
Brionna Jones (14.0), DiJonai Carrington (12.7), Alyssa Thomas (10.5) and Tyasha Harris (10.4) round out the group, providing enough offense for a team that does not rely on scoring to win.
No one else on the team averages more than five points per game for a Sun team that is closer to the bottom of the league than the top in points, in the middle in offensive efficiency, and last in pace.
The defense, however, is elite, as the Sun allow the fewest points in the league while boasting the top defensive rating.
Sky vs. Sun: Market Analysis
Betting Pick & Prediction
Both teams have something to play for in this game, which means you are likely to get each squad's best efforts. Unfortunately for the Sky, their recent struggles are indicative of a team that is just short on scoring options, and Thursday they're facing a team that excels at shutting opponents down. The Sun figure to win this game, and will do so by keeping the score low.
Sky vs. Sun Pick: Under 153.5 (-110)
