O'Sullivan's Sunday WNBA Playoffs Picks: Storm vs Aces, Sun vs Sky – teams look to send Game 1 message
Follow my picks on Twitter: @OSullyPicks
Seattle O’Sullivan 2022 WNBA Regular Season/Playoffs: 140-97-2, +$219.31
Seattle O’Sullivan 2022 WNBA Playoffs so far: 4-6, -$16.57
(Wednesday: 1-0, +$10)
(Standing Caveat: The universe is chaotic. Life is unpredictable. Things happen. Like injuries. And COVID protocols. In following Seattle O’Sullivan’s betting advice, be advised that you should always monitor your bets during the day to make certain unforeseen things have not occurred which might change your wagering opinion. Thank you.)
Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces, 4 pm Eastern
The Pick: Las Vegas -5.5 (-105), bet $10 to win $9.52
Las Vegas won the season series with Seattle, 3-1, and in the three wins won by and average of 8.33 points. I think they’ll be even better in this series. The Aces score almost eight more points per game than the Storm, with the best offensive rating in the WNBA. The Aces also have the best defensive rating in the league; the Storm are fifth. Aj’a Wilson and Breanna Stewart are both great players and MVP candidates, but I don’t think anyone on Seattle can stop Wilson, while I think the Aces can at least slow Stewart. To me what tips the series firmly in Las Vegas’ favor is the backcourt. I know this is heresy, and I love and respect Sue Bird. But right now, the Aces’ Kelsey Plum is the best guard on the court. I think Plum will be on a mission, no one on Seattle will stay in front of her, and the Aces will cruise more than people expect (or, given the nostalgia for Bird, hope). Las Vegas makes a statement today.
Connecticut Sun at Chicago Sky, 8 pm Eastern
The Pick: Connecticut +4.5 (-114), bet $8 to win $7.02
Speaking of statements, I’m guessing Connecticut has one to make, something along the lines of, “We’ve been waiting for this moment for almost a year.” The Sun were cruising towards the WNBA Finals last season, when they ran into a Chicago team peaking at the right time. The Sky got in the Sun’s, er, orbit, made them uncomfortable, and shocked them as they beat them easily on their way to a title. I don’t think Connecticut has had a day go by since then when they didn’t think about how they should’ve been the ones. They will be amped to rectify the wrong from the opening tip. Chicago is a great team but they have not been putting anyone away, not really. They had to survive a three-game series with New York, and now they turn around and face a Suns team that rebounds better and will slow the pace down. A slower pace and vengeance are two ingredients which help make a Game One cover. I’ll take the points.