WNBA Finals Game 4 Odds & Betting Preview: Mystics Look to Clinch Title as 2.5 Point Road Favorite
- The Washington Mystics are one win away from the franchise’s first WNBA title
- Sportsbooks list them as 1.5-point favorites to win Game 4 of the WNBA final over the Connecticut Sun
- Connecticut hasn’t lost consecutive home games all season long
The Washington Mystics are on the verge of WNBA history. On the other hand, WNBA history is not being kind to the Connecticut Sun.
In the history of the WNBA, the Mystics have never won the championship, and in the history of the WNBA Finals, the Sun have never won a game when facing elimination.
This is the third time that Connecticut has stared down elimination in a WNBA Finals series. On both previous occasions, the Sun has gone down to defeat – in Game 3 in 2004 against the Sacramento Monarchs and in 2005 in Game 4 against the Seattle Storm.
Sportsbooks do not like the chances of the Sun being third-time lucky. The Mystics are the 1.5-point chalk to win Game 4 and end Connecticut’s title hopes.
Mystics vs Sun WNBA Finals Game 4 Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Mystics | -120 | -1.5 (-105) | Over 174.5 (-110) |
| Connecticut Sun | -105 | +1.5 (-120) | Under 174.5 (-110) |
Odds taken 10/08/19.
Washington was swept in last year’s final by the Seattle Storm.
Mystics’ Emotional Win
Washington was 0-2 at Connecticut this season and headed into Game 3 off a home-court loss in Game 2. The Mystics were also uncertain what they’d get from league MVP Elena Delle Donne.
Delle Donne left earlier in Game 2 due to back spasms and was later diagnosed with a herniated disk that is pinching a nerve in her back. She described the pain as having a pole up her back.
?️ @De11eDonne provides a status update and shares her team's mindset heading into Game 4 tonight!@WashMystics vs. Sun, 8PM/ET on ESPN 2 ? #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/ICLSYzXD5r
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 8, 2019
Despite the ailment, Delle Donne displayed MVP courage, even if she couldn’t deliver MVP numbers. She played 26 minutes during Washington’s 94-81 Game 3 victory. Delle Donne scored 13 points on five-of-six shooting and pulled down six rebounds.
Washington’s Team Effort
Knowing their star was ailing, the Mystics proved why they were the WNBA’s best regular-season team. They showed everyone that the sum of their parts was greater than any one piece of the puzzle.
With Delle Donne slowed, Emma Meeseman scored 21 points. Kristi Toliver, herself only recently returned from injury, poured in 20 points and dished out 10 assists. Natasha Cloud scored 19 points and Washington’s bench provided 37 points to the cause.
Washington also scored 16 3-point field goals.
Sun Shines at Home
The Game 3 setback was just the third home-court loss for Connecticut, which is 17-3 at home this season. The Sun haven’t lost consecutive games at Mohegan Sun Arena all season long.
They’ll need to start Game 4 much better than their beginning to Game 3, which saw Washington race to a 32-17 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
"We're going to be locked in. We're going to be focused and ready to go."
Jonquel Jones (@jus242) recaps Game 3 and talks about her mindset heading into Game 4 ? #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/ju6pmUx8rc
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 8, 2019
In fact, the first quarter has told the tale of all three games. The Mystics led by 15 after one period of their Game 1 triumph. The Sun was up 12 points after the first quarter in their Game 2 verdict.
Game 2 hero Jonquel Jones, who scored 32 points in Connecticut’s victory, was MIA during Game 3. She finished with just nine points and nine rebounds.
Shekinna Stricklen and Jasmine Thomas led the Sund with 16 points each and Bria Holmes scored 15.
Connecticut’s WNBA-leading 3-point defense (30.8 percent) also vanished in Game 3. Washington shot 59.3 percent from beyond the arc.
“It really doesn’t matter where we win it, I just want to win it.” ?@WashMystics’ Head Coach Mike Thibault ahead of Game 4 of the #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/N1byKwbhGV
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 7, 2019
The Sun have bounced back strongly from both of their previous home losses in their next home game. Following a 74-71 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, the beat the Phoenix Mercucy by 15. After a regular-season ending loss to the Chicago sky, Connecticut opened the playoffs beating the Los Angeles Sparks by nine.
Look for a bounce back effort from Sun. This series will go the distance.
Pick: Connecticut Sun [-105, +1.5 (-120)]
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.
