8:05 pm
October 8

Mystics @ Sun

Who will WIN this matchup?

Washington Mystics

@ Connecticut Sun

 

Current odds:

Washington Mystics: (-105)

Connecticut Sun: (-115)

 

The line for this game is Sun by 1 point.

Whether it is being a role player because of her back injury or needing to be the go-to player in stretches of crunch-time, Elena Delle Donne just wants to win her first title. Delle Donne and the Washington Mystics have the chance to do that Tuesday night in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Connecticut Sun.

Delle Donne was a game-time decision Sunday because of a herniated disc in her back. She informed Mystics coach Mike Thibault she was good to go less than 90 minutes before tip-off and showed her worth in the 94-81 victory that gave Washington a 2-1 series lead and two chances to close out this series. The two-time MVP took just six shots in 26 minutes but made five of them and finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Her last shot of the game was arguably the most important one as she drove into the lane and hit a runner to give the Mystics a 12-point lead with 3:04 to play after the Sun had used a 10-2 burst to close within 84-74.

Emma Meesseman also delivered a clutch performance with 21 points, accounting for more than half of the Mystics’ 37 bench points. Kristi Toliver contributed 20 points and 10 assists while Ariel Atkins, who was also a game-time decision with back spasms, was able to contribute 14 minutes.

The tone of all three games has been set in the first quarter. Washington led by 15 points in Game 1 and by 13 after 10 minutes Sunday, while Connecticut was up 12 after the first quarter in its Game 2 victory. It has proven both perplexing and frustrating to Sun coach Curt Miller as he tries to reinforce the positives to his team.

The tone of all three games has been set in the first quarter. Washington led by 15 points in Game 1 and by 13 after 10 minutes Sunday, while Connecticut was up 12 after the first quarter in its Game 2 victory. It has proven both perplexing and frustrating to Sun coach Curt Miller as he tries to reinforce the positives to his team.

Another area for concern for Miller is Washington’s 3-point shooting. The Mystics were a scorching 59.3 percent from deep as they set a WNBA Finals record with 16 3-pointers. Toliver hit all four of her shots from beyond the arc while Delle Donne and Meesseman were both 3 of 4, showing the challenges of trying to stop one of the most versatile offensive teams in WNBA history.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Washington Mystics