WNBA October Game of the Month
Take #604 Phoenix Mercury -2.5 over Chicago Sky (-110)
We are backing the Phoenix Mercury here tonight @ -2.5 to get the job done over the Chicago Sky in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals. The Mercury have their backs against the wall here down 0-1 but have Game 2 on their home floor. Phoenix is in a must-win situation. If they go down 0-2 going back to Chicago, they’ll be in danger of being swept and having to watch the Sky celebrate on their home court.
No doubt Chicago is playing extremely well right now. Kaleah Cooper has broken out as a star and is a handful for any team that is facing her. Candace Parker’s veteran presence has also been valuable to this Sky team who has caught fire at the right time.
This spot sets up nicely for the Phoenix Mercury here tonight. It’s hard for me to go against the Mercury in this situation. They proved the last two rounds what they can do facing pressure. Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and Skylar Diggins-Smith have all been in this exact situation before three times in the past two weeks, and over hundreds of times in their careers. And they will get this win at home here tonight.
Brittney Griner has been absolutely dominant as she has averaged 20.9 ppg and 9.3 rebounds this year and has averaged 24.3 ppg and 10.8 rebounds per game since the playoffs began. I don’t see a scenario where the Mercury get rattled tonight.
As the old saying goes, you can't stop Griner, you can only hope to contain her. When Griner gets going and is feeling it, she is unstoppable. Her midrange jumper is deadly, and her defensive presence on the block is intimidating.
DT is shooting the ball lights out lately from deep. She is averaging 4.8 treys per game since the WNBA Playoffs have begun. She went on her own 11-0 run against the Las Vegas Aces and just iso-ed herself off of ball screens.
Skylar Diggins-Smith has really turned on the jets as well. When this core group, aka “The Big Three,” we’re brought to Phoenix together 3 years ago, this was the goal. To get to and win, another WNBA finals with SDS at the 2 guard spot, DT running the point. Griner is so soft and balanced around the basket and plays much better with the ball in her hands. And she should be able to take advantage of that early on before the Sky start to play some post denial defense on her.
Lot of savvy vets on this Mercury squad, some of whom will go down as the greatest the Game has ever seen. This situation is nothing new to them and they will be extremely well prepared, focused, and have already made all the necessary adjustments with their Coaching Staff to switch up some of their defensive game plans, zone reads, and offensive sets.
I expect the Phoenix Mercury to switch it up on D, throwing Chicago several different looks just to confuse them, maybe some matchup zone, triangle in one, diamond in two, and even some 1-3-1 half court traps. They should also control tempo on the offensive end, score and finish in transition.
Phoenix Mercury get the job done here tonight @ -2.5 ATS and tie this Finals Matchup @ 1-1 a piece for our WNBA October Game of the Month.
Wager- $2,200 to collect $4,050