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WNBA Playoffs Preview: Upsets Continue

Dogs Could Come Up Bif

The WNBA semi-finals opened on Tuesday to the tune of two underdogs covering the spread with one, the Chicago Sky, outright pulling an upset. We sided with the dogs in our WNBA betting previews and we’re doubling down on Game 2 this Thursday.

WNBA Game Breakdowns

(6) Sky (19-16) vs (1) Sun (26-8)

  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • Spread: Chicago Sky +7½ (-110), Connecticut Sun -7½ (-110)
  • Moneyline: Chicago Sky +260, Connecticut Sun -320
  • Total: Over 155½ (-110), Under 155½ (-110)

It was a double-overtime classic as the underdog Sky outlasted the Sun thanks to powerful performances from forward Candace Parker who scored 22 points and guard Courtney Vandersloot, who continued playing like a possessed woman, as she posted 12 points and 18 assists.

Shey Peddy of the Phoenix Mercury controls the ball past Natasha Howard of the New York Liberty
Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

More notably, Chicago was able to stay primed as they took it to the somewhat rusty Sun who faded down the stretch. Connecticut shot  33% from the field in the second half and had as many turnovers as it did assists.

With the win, the Sky covered for the third straight time and won their second straight game as an underdog. The Sun lost but have still covered five of their last six spreads and are still 12-1 in their last 13 games. Convention says the Sun will recover. After all, they had a 40.6% effective field goal rate and it took the Sky two overtimes to dispatch them.

But we’re not buying it. The Sky also did not play as effectively as they could. They had an 18.1% turnover percent and gave up 21 fourth-quarter points. If they can limit the Sun’s offensive rebounding, they could go up 2-0 on the series. Either way, it should be another close one and bet online for Chicago to at least cover.

  • Pick: Chicago Sky +7½ (-110)

(5) Mercury (21-14) vs (2) Aces (24-9)

  • Time: 10 p.m. ET
  • Spread: Phoenix Mercury +6½ (-110), Las Vegas Aces  -6½ (-110)
  • Moneyline: Phoenix Mercury +250, Las Vegas Aces -300
  • Total: Over 170½ (-110), Under 170½ (-110)

Phoenix was also a successful underdog on Tuesday, at least on the WNBA betting lines. The Mercury may have lost on Tuesday, but they just covered the 6.5-point spread making it three straight games against Vegas.

All five starters scored in double-digits led by center Brittney Griner who had 24 points, seven boards, and six assists. The Mercury hoisted 31 three-pointers but made just nine, the same amount Las Vegas made with 12 fewer attempts.

The Mercury will need to find a way to slow down the Aces’ backcourt of Riquna Williams and Chelsea Gray. The former led the game in scoring with 26 points while the latter led in assists with 12 (along with 17 points). More impressively, they committed just two combined turnovers.

Las Vegas is a well-oiled machine and the Mercury will need to apply more pressure. But Phoenix proved it has just as much firepower and can keep up with Vegas. The underdogs can cover a fourth straight time on the sportsbook as this one will once again be close.

  • Pick: Phoenix Mercury +6½ (-110)

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