Chicago Sky vs Washington Mystics Point Spread Picks

Chicago comes in at 3-5 on the season while navigating real roster issues — Courtney Vandersloot and DiJonai Carrington are both out, and while Skylar Diggins is carrying nearly 15 points a night, the Sky are operating with limited depth on the road. Washington has Shakira Austin working at better than 17 points and nearly nine rebounds per game — one of the more complete inside-out centers in the East — and the Mystics have the home floor with Georgia Amoore back in the rotation as a second playmaking option. The Kamilla Cardoso-Austin battle in the paint will set the pace of this game, and Washington is built to win that matchup on its own floor. The Commissioner's Cup opener gives the home team something extra to play for. Washington wins and covers on its own floor tonight. Take the Mystics.

Washington is favored but has dropped five of seven. They went 2-3 on a five-game homestand, losing as favorites to Los Angeles (93-86) and Golden State (68-67), while also getting routed by Phoenix (88-72). Washington's offense is 10th in the 13-team league in scoring, 10th in 3-point shooting (32.8%), and 12th from the free-throw line (75.2%). This is the second of a four-game road trip, and they lost the opener at Atlanta, 99-83. They're 4-9 straight-up on the road. Chicago plays its third straight at home. Last month, Chicago lost at Washington by a basket as a +6.5 underdog. Hungry to end an eight-game skid, this is an excellent situational spot for the home underdog to win the game. Play Chicago on the moneyline. 

Two struggling teams match up in this one and Washington should not be laying this many points after losing three of four while on a 2-7 ATS run. The Mystics come off an 88-72 loss to Phoenix while shooting only 38 percent and being outscored 46-26 in the second half. Washington is 1-4 ATS its past five home games and it allows 80.3 points per game this season. Chicago has covered the spread six of its past seven road games and it has gone OVER four of six, including Sunday's game against Indiana, which sailed OVER by 14 points. Angel Reese is day-to-day with a back injury, but backup forward Maddy Westbeld has made contributions in her place. The Sky are in double revenge after two close losses to the Mystics this season, including 81-79 on July 8. Take the Sky ATS, back them on the moneyline as a best bet, and take the OVER.