With the Lynx still on a rampage this year and remaining undefeated after the first nine games, this could be one of their tougher tests. The Storm haven’t jumped off the page in every game, but they’re certainly a challenging team, especially at home. We’ll see if they can dethrone the Lynx's perfect record or if the Lynx can keep the streak alive!
Katie Lou Samuelson Out
Jessica Shepard Out
This is going to be one of the most challenging games for the Lynx so far this season. The last time they played Seattle, they managed to squeak out a 5-point win at home; now on the road, things could get interesting. The Lynx have been sweeping through teams like Dallas and Phoenix, who have struggled to get much going this year. Not saying that their record is unjustified- they did make the finals last year; I’m just a little more excited to see how they look against a more competent group.
Seattle has been good, not great. They’re a well-rounded group, which makes them a bit challenging to gauge. They don’t have a single star, but they’re all about team ball. That aspect makes them an interesting matchup for the Lynx, who have been dominating teams with their defense. The Lynx are holding opponents to only 73 points a game, which is a major reason they’re still undefeated, but on the flip side, they don’t have many games above 80 points themselves. That leaves them vulnerable to a team like the Storm, who can score from multiple positions on the court. Considering the Storm shot only 25% from three against the Lynx in their first matchup while averaging 37% on the season, it should be worrying for Minnesota. The Storm need to keep their scoring pressure up to stay in this game!
For the Lynx, they’re obviously doing something right. You don’t win nine of your first games unless you’re an elite group. Still, breaking these teams down against each other, they’re not so different. The Lynx definitely have some advantages in their defensive ability, but, stats-wise, these teams are on par with each other. The biggest difference is that the Lynx have Napheesa Collier to carry them, while the Storm don’t have a single player near her. She is the biggest deciding factor between being a near 500 team and an undefeated team.
Overall, this is going to be a fun matchup. I have to give a slight advantage to the Storm, though. I love them on their home court in front of that Seattle crowd. We’ve seen them have some of their best nights out there, and tonight will need to be one of their best. So that’s why I’m going with the Storm moneyline, the over on the 155.5 points total, and the +4 Seattle spread!
Money line: MIN (-180) / SEA (+150)
Total Points: 155.5
Spread: -4 MIN (-110) / +4 SEA (-110)
I love this line tonight for Williams. She is exactly the type of player who steps up to her competition. With 23 points against the Storm, she is already averaging nearly 13 points per game for the season. That total would probably be higher if the Lynx would stop blowing teams out, but with some reduced minutes in the last couple of games, I fully expect Williams to see a full workload tonight. Unless the Lynx blow out the Storm, this 12+ line is looking excellent.
Let's go with another Williams, Gabby Williams. She had a solid outing last time the Storm played the Lynx, scoring 20 points. Since that game, though, she’s continued to be an important cog in this offense. Averaging just under 20 points over the last three games and 15.2 points for the season, this 14.5 line looks to be well within her wheelhouse.
This line seems a bit low considering how dominant Magbegor has been on the boards this year. She’s currently averaging 8 rebounds per game, with 10 in her last contest against the Lynx. She has only missed the 8-rebounding mark three times this season, finishing all three of those games with 7. This could be one of the best lines of the night, as she continues to receive solid minutes for Seattle.