The Minnesota Lynx return from the All-Star break to host the Chicago Sky on Tuesday night at Target Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00PM ET. Minnesota leads the Western Conference with a 20-4 record and a perfect 12-0 home record. Chicago comes in at 7-15, sitting fifth in the East and just 3-9 on the road.
This will be the fourth and final meeting of the season between these teams. Minnesota won two of the first three, including a 91-78 win on July 14. The Sky won the second game in that series 87-81, but the Lynx took the first and third contests. Minnesota has won six of the last ten matchups overall and covered the spread in five of them.
The Lynx have won eight of their last ten games, including back-to-back wins to end the first half. Chicago dropped their last two games heading into the break. The Sky have lost four of five and continue to play without veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot, who is out for the season with an ACL injury.
Lynx Preview – Looking to Stay Perfect at Home
Minnesota closed the first half strong with wins over Phoenix and Chicago. The team is 12-0 at home this season and holds the best record in the league. Napheesa Collier is leading the charge with 23.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. She also scored 36 points in the All-Star Game on Saturday.
Kayla McBride is second on the team in scoring at 14.3 points per game. She had 18 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in the team’s win over the Mercury. Courtney Williams added 12 points, and Alanna Smith chipped in 11. Minnesota plays balanced basketball and ranks first in the league in points allowed at just 74.9 per game.
As a team, the Lynx are holding opponents to 41.3% shooting, third-best in the WNBA. They also lead the league in fewest points allowed in every quarter. Their offense ranks middle of the pack, but they control games with defense and rebounding. Minnesota is second in defensive boards and fifth in total rebounds per game.
Sky Preview – Searching for Answers After the Break
Chicago is trying to reset after two straight losses to end the first half. They lost to the Dream and Lynx and gave up 91 points to Minnesota in their last outing. Angel Reese continues to lead the Sky with 14 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. She is one of the top rebounders in the league and has helped the Sky rank third in total boards.
Ariel Atkins adds 13.9 points per game, while Kamilla Cardoso scores 12.1 and grabs 7.2 rebounds. Cardoso had 11 boards in the last meeting but shot just 3-for-11 from the floor. The Sky’s main issue has been ball security, ranking near the bottom of the WNBA with 17 turnovers per game. They also have the second-worst assist-to-turnover ratio in the league.
Chicago is 3-9 on the road and has lost six of their last eight games away from home. They rank 12th in scoring and have struggled to score against elite defenses like Minnesota’s. The Sky average just 78 points per game and have not cracked 80 points in three straight contests. They’ll need more offensive production to stay close in this one.
Betting Prediction
Minnesota is a 15.5-point favorite with the total set at 159.5. The Lynx have covered in four of their last five home games and have the best home record in the league. Their defense has been elite, and they already beat Chicago by 13 just over a week ago. The Sky struggle to score and are facing the league’s toughest defensive team.
This is a tough spot for the Sky, who have been inconsistent on the road and are facing a rested and healthy Minnesota team. Unless Chicago can keep the pace and limit turnovers, this game could get out of hand early. The Lynx should win big and stay perfect at home.
Pick: Lynx -15.5
