Chicago Sky vs Washington Mystics

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.

Chicago has found its offensive rhythm, averaging 84.6 points over the last six games. That's six points higher than their season average. Angel Reese has 19, 17, 16, 18, and 17 rebounds in the last five contests. They're on a 6-2 ATS run, including wins over Connecticut as an underdog (78-66), a 97-86 victory over Los Angeles as a +5 dog, and a 92-85 upset at Los Angeles as a +8 dog. The defense is 12th in shooting allowed and in points given up, on 10-6 OVER the total. They're also on a 9-5 ATS run, winning straight-up five times as an underdog. Washington is favored, though they're getting outscored on the season with a defense that is eighth in points surrendered. The offense is 12th in free-throw shooting (74.9%) and seventh in field goal shooting. Washington comes home from a three-game road trip, losing the last two with 33 total turnovers, including a 79-71 loss at Dallas as a 7.5-point favorite. They're also on a 6-4 run OVER the total. Three picks: Play Chicago ATS, back the Sky on the moneyline, and bet this game OVER the total. 

Washington has lost four of its five road games. The offense is 11th in scoring and ninth in field goal shooting (42.8%). They come off a home loss to Atlanta, 89-56, shooting 29.5% from the field and 17.6% (3-of-17) from long range. Chicago has played the fewest home games in the league and is No. 1 in offensive rebounds. They come home from a 78-66 victory at Connecticut as an underdog, as Angel Reese (11 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists) became the second-youngest WNBA player with a triple-double. Two home games ago, they beat Dallas, 97-92, as a dog. Play Chicago on the moneyline.