WNBA Saturday: Red-hot O'Sullivan focuses on playoff seeding, picks Mercury at Fever, Mystics at Lynx
Hm, I’ve recovered from my bout of food poisoning over the weekend to go 11-4 this week. Let’s see if we can continue the good, good stuff today…
Seattle O’Sullivan so far: 107-88-1
Moneyline parlay: Phoenix (-350)/Minnesota (-340) - True Price: -152
Parlay: Phoenix -7.5 (-110)/Washington +7.5 (-110) - True Price: +264
Phoenix Mercury at Indiana Fever, 1 pm Eastern
The Pick: Phoenix -350, Phoenix -7.5 (-110)
We will continue our focus on playoff positioning. Today’s games are vital for both Phoenix and Minnesota, who are fighting for that fourth seed going into the playoffs. Whoever grabs that seed gets a first-round bye. Whoever doesn’t could wind up playing one of two teams who might actually be championship threats (Chicago and Dallas), or one team that would have the best player on the court (the Washington Mystics’ Tina Charles). So snatching that bye is essential. Right now, the Mercury are the ones chasing - they’re a game behind Minnesota for that spot. So they’re gonna take care of business today. Winners of seven in a row, and 9-1 in their last 10 games, and 10-2 against the spread on the road - I’m riding the Mercury.
Washington Mystics at Minnesota Lynx, 8 pm Eastern
The Pick: Minnesota -340
While Minnesota fights off Phoenix for that fourth spot, Washington is fighting off New York for the final eighth spot. The Mystics need this game even worse than the Lynx. As I’ve mentioned, Washington center Tina Charles is very, very good. She’s also listed as questionable for today. Elena Delle Donne is out with a back injury. I think Minnesota wins regardless (10-2-1 against the spread lately, 5-0-1 ATS at home) but if Charles plays, Washington should put up a fight. So I’m gonna get a little cute on this. I’ll stick with Minnesota for my moneyline bet, and aim for the “middle” with one of my parlay selections.
What can I say? My vomiting from last weekend is a distant memory. I’m feeling good right now.