On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 8:00 PM ET, an exciting matchup awaits as the Washington Mystics (12-10) seek to break their four-game road losing streak, facing off against the Minnesota Lynx (10-13).
- Washington Mystics vs. Minnesota Lynx
- Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 8:00 p.m. ET
Here at Online Sports Betting, we will analyze the key insights of the two teams and find out where the game might be won and lost.
If you are interested in betting on WNBA, then you can check out our guide.
The Mystics come into this game with high spirits after a commanding 84-69 triumph against the Phoenix Mercury, with Natasha Cloud leading the charge with an impressive 23-point performance.
While playing on their home turf, the Lynx have maintained a record of 5-8, indicating they can be a formidable force. However, their struggles in games decided by 10 or more points, with a 3-7 record, might offer an opportunity for the Mystics to capitalize.
On the road, Washington has shown a reasonable performance, standing at 4-6. Their offensive prowess in the paint, averaging 31.2 points per game, is led by the talented Shakira Austin, who boasts an average of 8.8 points.
This clash marks the second encounter between the two teams this season. In their previous face-off on June 3, the Lynx narrowly edged out the Mystics with an 80-78 victory. Kayla McBride's impressive 24-point display propelled the Lynx to success, while Ariel Atkins scored 18 points for the Mystics.
See below the outright odds for the 2023 WNBA Championship
| WNBA Outright Winner |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Aces | -180 | -190 | -200 |
| New York Liberty | +155 | +161 | +175 |
| Dallas Wings | +2500 | +2800 | +2800 |
| Connecticut Sun | +2800 | +3300 | +2800 |
| Washington Mystics | +6600 | +6000 | +6000 |
Washington Mystics
Despite recent fluctuations in performance, the Washington Mystics currently find themselves in a respectable position within the WNBA standings. Following an authoritative 84-69 victory against Phoenix on Sunday, the team's record improved to 12-10, placing them in a tie for third in the Eastern Conference.
However, a lingering issue for the Mystics has been their inability to achieve consecutive wins for nearly a month now, with their last streak of three straight victories occurring from mid-to-late June.
Back in the win column 😤#BallOnOurTerms | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/5joQMu4cEq
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) July 23, 2023
Offense
Analyzing their playing style, the Mystics exhibit strength on the offensive end, ranking seventh in the league with an average of 81.5 points per game. On the defensive front, they boast an impressive third-best position, conceding an average of 79.1 points per game.
Rebounding has been a challenge for the team in 2023, where they rank third-worst in the WNBA for both rebounds per game (33.2) and rebounds allowed (35.9).
Notably, the Mystics excel in forcing turnovers, sitting at fourth in the league with 15 turnovers forced per game. At the same time, they maintain the second-best position in the WNBA for protecting the ball themselves, with an average of 12.6 turnovers per game.
When it comes to their performance from beyond the arc, the Mystics have a strong presence, ranking fourth in the league for 3-pointers made per game (7.4) and holding a respectable seventh position in 3-point percentage (32.9%).
Defense
In terms of defending against the 3-point shot, Washington falls to eighth place, conceding an average of 7.6 3-pointers per game, but they display a more robust defensive stance, ranking sixth in the league with a 33.3% defensive 3-point percentage.
A significant portion of the Mystics' offensive strategy revolves around their shooting distribution, with 33.6% of their attempts originating from beyond the arc and the remaining 66.4% from inside it. In terms of successful shots, 25.7% of their baskets come from 3-pointers, while 74.3% result from 2-pointers.
As the season progresses, the Mystics will aim to address their inconsistencies and leverage their strengths to secure a more stable position within the competitive WNBA landscape.
The moneyline has not yet been set.
Minnesota Lynx
Similarly to the Washington Mystics, the Minnesota Lynx have also faced challenges with inconsistency lately, landing them in the third spot within the Western Conference. Despite maintaining a decent 6-4 record in their last ten games, their shining achievement comes in the form of an impressive 8-2 record at Target Center this season. Can the visiting Mystics break the pattern and upset the Lynx on their home turf?
Offense
Offensively, the Lynx rank eighth in the WNBA, averaging 79.2 points per game this season. Defensively, they stand ninth, conceding an average of 85.2 points per game.
When it comes to rebounding, Minnesota holds a better position, ranking sixth in the league with 34.5 boards per game. However, they find themselves in eighth place for rebounds allowed per contest, with an average of 34.8.
The Lynx showcase their prowess in protecting the ball by ranking sixth in the WNBA, committing 13.2 turnovers per game. However, they lag behind in forcing turnovers, ranking ninth with an average of 12.9 turnovers per contest.
While Minnesota struggles with their 3-point shooting, sitting second-worst in the league with a 31.0% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, they manage to make an average of 6.6 three-pointers per game, which places them ninth in the league.
Defense
On the defensive end, the Lynx have encountered challenges against opponents' 3-point shooting, ranking worst in the WNBA with an average of 9.5 threes allowed per game, and third-worst in 3-point percentage allowed, standing at 36.2%.
Analyzing their shot distribution, Minnesota heavily relies on two-pointers, attempting 46.4 per game, which accounts for 68.5% of their shots and 77.0% of their total baskets. Conversely, they take 21.3 three-pointers per contest, making up 31.5% of their shots and 23.0% of their overall baskets.
As Washington looks to seize the opportunity and disrupt Minnesota's home court advantage, the Lynx's inconsistency and vulnerabilities in three-point defense might present a pathway for the Mystics to claim victory.
Prediction
This should be close but the Mystics will win this one narrowly.
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