WNBA Finals Game 3 Odds & Betting Preview: Delle Donne Questionable in Connecticut
- The Connecticut Sun pulled even in the WNBA Finals, winning Game 2 at Washington by a 99-87 count
- WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne of the Mystics left Game 2 with back spasms and her Game 3 status is uncertain
- Washington was 0-2 at Connecticut during the regular season
The Connecticut Sun are shining a little more brightly in recent days. But while they turned their frown upside down, the Washington Mystics are left wearing a full-on chagrined look.
Mystics league MVP Elena Delle Donne was forced out of their 99-78 Game 2 loss with back spasms. It’s not definite when, or if she’ll be back.
That’s certainly changed the dynamic of this series as the best-of-five set heads to Connecticut for the next two games tied 1-1. Oddsmakers now have the Mystics as 5.5 point underdogs for Game 3.
Mystics vs Sun WNBA Finals Game 3 Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Mystics | +180 | +5.5 (-125) | Over 172.5 (-110) |
| Connecticut Sun | -225 | -5.5 (-115) | Under 172.5 (-115) |
*Odds taken 10/06/19.
Top-seeded Washington was 0-2 at #2 Connecticut during the regular season.
Delle Donne Done?
Delle Donne left during the first quarter of Game 2 and did not return. She later underwent an MRI which revealed a small disc herniation. She’s listed as questionable for Game 3.
Elena Delle Donne went to the locker room early in the first quarter.
She is suffering from back spasms and is questionable to return. pic.twitter.com/6ty90YKbmY
— espnW (@espnW) October 2, 2019
Delle Donne continues to undergo treatment. She did not practice on Saturday.
Last season, Washington lost Delle Donne to a knee injury as they met the Seattle Storm in the WNBA final.
? @WashMystics Head Coach Mike Thibault says that @De11eDonne and @iamArielAtkins are questionable for Game 3 of #WNBAFinals tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/LVmDmh5tQE
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 5, 2019
Minus their star performer, the Mystics were swept by the Storm.
Can’t Keep Up With Jones
There’s no room for compassion in the world of competitive sports. While Delle Donne went down and out in Game 2, Sun forward Jonquel Jones went off. She finished with a game-high 32 points, three blocks and 18 rebounds. That latter total included a WNBA finals record nine offensive boards.
Jonquel Jones is
?
_/||_
_/¯ ¯_Six-foot-six
?
?
|| _
_/¯ ¯_ pic.twitter.com/NSWTfj1Pac— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) September 29, 2019
Connecticut’s gameplan was to have Jones get more involved in the offense. go right at Delle Donne and put her on the defensive. But once Delle Donne departed, Jones absolutely dominated.
Courtney Williams to Jonquel Jones: "Every board is yours. Straight up. You know that." pic.twitter.com/nWd9l0bkDp
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) October 2, 2019
Jones finished the first half with a double double, combining 18 points with 10 rebounds. She recorded the first 30-point, 15-rebound game in WNBA Finals history,. It was just the third to be posted in WNBA playoffs history.
Of her 32 points, Jones scored 18 in the paint.
Sun Shine Board Cleaning Company
Minus the 6-foot-4 Delle Donne, rebounding was a major issue for the Mystics in Game 2.
Connecticut posted a 41-27 edge on the boards, as well as a 17-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
The Sun tandem of Jones (18) and Alyssa Thomas (12) grabbed more rebounds than the entire Mystics team (27).
.@athomas_25 had yet another all-around productive game, tallying 21 PTS, 12 REB & 6 AST as the @ConnecticutSun even the #WNBAFinals series at one! ? pic.twitter.com/HS9dZglWWN
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 2, 2019
Thomas, playing with torn labrums in both shoulders, contributd 21 points and dished off six assists to go with her dozen boards.
Their overpowering performance in offensive rebounding enabled the Sun to record 28 second-chance points. Connecicut also took 12 more shots (84-72) than Washington.
Deja Vu All Over Again For Mystics?
They’ve lost their best player, and now the Mystics have lost their first game of the WNBA Finals.
Taking the show on the road to Connecticut was always going to be problematic for Washington, even with a full and healthy roster to call upon.
During the regular season, the Mystics came up on the short end of both scorelines on the road against the Sun.
They opened the season with an 84-69 loss at Connecticut. Washington’s second loss of the season was an 83-75 setback on the Road against the Sun.
Since their 14-1 run ended with a Game 3 semi-final loss to the Las Vegas Aces, the Mystics are 2-2.
Mike Thibault is staying very quiet about Elena Delle Donne's injury. Understandably, he's mostly reiterated what was said last night.
— Matt Ellentuck (@mellentuck) October 3, 2019
The Mystics insist they must prepare for Game 3 as if they can’t count on Delle Donne being healthy.
When faced with that scenario in the past, they’ve usually been counted out.
Pick: Connecticut Sun (-5.5).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
