The Chicago Sky are the defending WNBA champions and yet again find themselves in a 1-0 hole in this year’s WNBA playoffs.
The Sky will look to even the series with the Connecticut Sun at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Wintrust Arena.
WNBA 2022 Playoffs
Of course, Chicago won the next two games against the New York Liberty to advance to the semifinals. While the Sun were a top team in the league, it’s a tad perplexing that they lost, having swept the season series from Connecticut.
Although the largest win margin was eight points, three games were settled by four points or less. If you are here for the best Sun vs. Sky betting prediction, you have come to the right place!
Teams Previous Records
In Sunday’s series opener, Candace Parker became the first player in WNBA playoffs history to have a stat line of at least 15 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks, and five assists. Her line:
- 19 points
- 18 rebounds
- 6 blocks
- 5 assists
- 4 steals
But it came in a losing effort, with the Sun escaping, 68-63, after Parker missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer. Results like this prove why basketball betting is difficult.
League’s Third-best Record
Connecticut, which had the league’s third-best record in the regular season, held the Sky to 35% shooting from the field and 27% shooting from 3-point range. The Sun also had a 47-36 rebounding edge.
The 35-year-old DeWanna Bonner scored a team-high 15 points for the Sun, while Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas, and Brionna Jones scored 12 each.
It was a defensive game, though, as the Sun only shot 37% from the field and 23% from the 3-point line.
Sun vs. Sky Matchup Information
Sun vs. Sky Betting Analysis
WNBA odds show the Sky as 4.5-point favorites with an over/under of 163.5. The Sky are favored on the moneyline with odds of -200 while the Sun are +165.
During the season series, the Sky covered three of the four games with the Sun covering a +4 spread on Aug. 7.
Of course, the Sun covered +4 again on Sunday. In the season series, the over was 3-1, though under 167 cashed on Sunday.
Connecticut Sun Analysis
The Sun were a top 3 team in the league on both ends of the court throughout the regular season.
Sun’s Offense and Defense Analysis
The Sun were third offensively, averaging 85.8 points per game while converting 46.2% of field goal attempts and 35.4% of 3-pointers.
They were also the top rebounding team in the league at 37.1 per contest. Defensively, they limited teams to 29.0 rebounds per game, the best mark in the league.
They also were second in holding teams to 77.8 points per game. Though they were seventh in allowing teams to convert 43.9% of field goal attempts, they were also second in limiting teams to 32.8% on 3-pointers.
Chicago Sky Analysis
Sky Offense and Defense Analysis
The Sky were equally good as they were second offensively, scoring 86.3 points per game. They were the most efficient team from the field, converting 48.1% of field goal attempts.
However, they were seventh in 3-point percentage at 34.5%. They also were sixth in rebounding at 34.8 boards per contest.
Defensively they were fourth, allowing teams to score 81.3 points per contest. Chicago’s defense was sixth, forcing teams to convert 43.8% from the field and 34.0% from 3-point range. Teams also secured 33.2 rebounds per game against the Sky, which ranked fifth.
The core of last year’s Finals team remained together, with Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot, and Kahleah Copper rejoining Parker.
They also added former WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman along with forward Azura Stevens and guard Rebekah Gardner. The team is +140 to win the WNBA title.
WNBA Injury Report Today’s Matchup
Connecticut remains without point guard Bria Hartley, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in late July. Jasmine Thomas was also ruled out for the season in late May.
The Sky listed forward Ruthy Hebard as questionable with an illness while Li Yueru is out for the season due to personal reasons, the team announced Aug. 16. Hebard did not play in Game 1.
Sun vs. Sky Betting Preview
WNBA picks show 59% of the public bets are on the Sky against the spread for Game 2. Perhaps bettors are banking on the 38-point win the Sky turned in following their Game 1 loss to the Liberty a round ago.
Public Bets Around this Matchup
That same data show 58% of bettors are on the over, which with the way both teams shot the ball in Game 1, seems like a safe bet.
History shows the Sky are 5-2 against the spread in the last seven meetings in Chicago and the last seven meetings regardless of location.
The over is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings in Chicago and 18-8 in the last 26 meetings, regardless of location.
Sun vs. Sky Betting Predictions
It was hard to see the Sun winning the first game, but the regular season series was four incredibly close games.
As Bonner said postgame, “It’s a new season, 0-0.” And that’s how the Sky have to approach in order to come back and win the series to play for another WNBA title.
Most Profitable Team to Bet On
Wednesday’s game should feature better offense out of both teams, and the Sky have more depth at every position.
But don’t expect a blowout in Game 2 like the Sun did to the Liberty because the Sun have more talent. Our Sun vs. Sky betting prediction is Sky -200, with Connecticut covering Sun +4.5.
WNBA Pick: Sun +4.5 (-110)
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