WNBA Playoffs Sunday: O'Sullivan picks Mercury at Storm, with Breanna Stewart out, and Sky at Lynx

I’m going to assume that based on my history with the Dallas Wings, you all watched Thursday night’s game, and like me, saw them fall behind by 21 points in the first half, then cut it to three early in the fourth quarter (which would have covered the 5.5 points), only to then collapse like a house of cards doused with vinegar and lit on fire…and then were surprised when they didn’t specifically cite me in the post-game press conference, saying something along the lines of, “Yeah, that entire game was a metaphor of the entire season, just one giant tease to stick our collective fingers in Seattle O’Sullivan’s eye.”

Yeah. I’m going to assume that.

(stands on a cliff in a thunderstorm; rails at heavens like King Lear)

Seattle O’Sullivan so far: 138-102-1

Phoenix Mercury at Seattle Storm, 3 pm Eastern

The Pick: Seattle +3.5 (-110)

It was announced yesterday that Seattle MVP candidate Breanna Stewart will not be playing in this game, due to a lingering foot injury. I’m picking the Storm anyway. Frankly, Phoenix should’ve lost to New York on Thursday night, and even without Stewart, the Storm beat the Mercury in Seattle on Sept. 17. So Seattle knows it can win this game, even short-handed. Not to mention, Phoenix star Diana Taurasi is listed as questionable, a game-time decision. Stewart is a bigger loss, but neither team is playing their best. At the end of the day, it’s a home dog and I’ll take the points.

Chicago Sky at Minnesota Lynx, 5 pm Eastern

The Pick: Minnesota -190, Minnesota -4.0 (-110)

Last week, I picked Minnesota as a value pick to win the WNBA Championship, so this pick is an easy one for me. On Thursday, Chicago proved they can play well (building a 21 point lead), and they proved they are unreliable (allowing a team to cut that 21 point lead to three). The Lynx are 9-1 in their last ten games and 13-3 at home this season, with one of those losses coming to the Sky, so I don’t think there will be a lack of focus. People focus on Sky great Candace Parker, but Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is the better player today. Chicago has no match for Minnesota’s center Sylvia Fowles. If the Lynx are able to contain guards Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley, the true drivers of the Sky, they should win today, setting up a matchup with the Las Vegas Aces. Moneyline is the meal, lay the point spread for dessert.