WNBA Tuesday: Storm-sickened O'Sullivan picks Sparks at Fever, Sun at Mystics, Liberty at Lynx, Sky at Mercury

More food poisoning; apologies. Trust me, I was sick too.

Seattle O’Sullivan so far: 96-84-1

Moneyline Parlay: Connecticut (-450)/Minnesota (-450). True Price: -204

Los Angeles Sparks at Indiana Fever, 7 pm Eastern

The Pick: Indiana +5.0 (-110)

Though Los Angeles might look like the better team given their record, Indiana has a better offense (75.0 ppg vs. 73.19). Indiana plays tough at home. The Sparks have been on the road for a while, too – this is their fifth road game in 10 days. I think they’re looking to get back to L.A. The Fever are a home dog; take the points.

Connecticut Sun at Washington Mystics, 7 pm Eastern

The Pick: Connecticut -450, Connecticut -9.0 (-110)

Connecticut has won eight in a row and Washington will be without Tina Charles tonight (Elena Delle Donne is also listed as questionable). Sometimes it’s as simple as that. The Sun are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games, and I think they’re determined to go into the playoffs with as much momentum as possible.

New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx, 8 pm Eastern

The Pick: Minnesota -450, Minnesota -9 (-110)

Much the same reasoning here. The Lynx have won 10 of 12, including beating the Liberty on August 15, 88-78. Minnesota is 8-3 at home (7-4 against the spread), and are 8-2 in their last ten against New York. Minnesota is one game behind Seattle now for the fourth-seed, with four games in hand. They can smell that spot. They’re also a mere half-game ahead of Phoenix in the fifth spot; they can smell the Mercury approaching. This is a big game; I expect the Lynx to act accordingly.

Chicago Sky at Phoenix Mercury, 10 pm Eastern

The Pick: Phoenix PK (-110)

A minor bit of history: I don’t think I’ve made a pick on a “pick ‘em” WNBA game this season. Hm. Fascinating. No, not really. Whatever. This is another big matchup; Phoenix is a mere 1.5 games ahead of Chicago in that fifth spot. The fourth spot is the crucial one – getting that seed gets you a first-round bye. So I don’t think the Mercury will be playing around. They’re 8-2 in their last ten games and 8-1 against the spread in their last nine. Brittney Griner is questionable with an ankle. I’m betting she plays in this big game and puts the Mercury over the top. They’re my “pick ‘em" pick.