WNBA Picks Today: Sky vs Mystics Predictions and Lines on August 28

(Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

The Chicago Sky hopes to return to the win column while the Washington Mystics seek their third consecutive win as both teams collide this Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Wintrust Arena.

Chicago heads into the game on the back of a heartbreaking 77-75 loss against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday.

1. After being down by as many as 12 in the fourth, the Sky tied things up with a second remaining, but A’ja Wilson’s buzzer-beating layup denied Chicago an opportunity to end their losing skid.
2. Spitfire guard Chennedy Carter exploded for 25 points, while Michaela Onyenwere had 15 for the Sky.

Rookie forward Angel Reese contributed a monster 11-point and 22-rebound double-double effort. However, it wasn’t enough for Chicago as it dropped its third consecutive game.

Up next for the Sky is the Washington Mystics, which picked up a string of victories in the past week.

• After five consecutive defeats, the Mystics turned things around with victories against the Los Angeles Sparks and the Seattle Storm.
• Brittney Sykes led the charge, averaging 24 points per game in the past two.

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Washington and Chicago have met twice this season, with each team picking up a victory. With the season series tied, expect both teams to start strong in what could look like a tightly-contested affair.

As of press time, here’s how the current Chicago Sky vs. Washington Mystics betting lines look.

Chicago Sky vs Washington Mystics FanDuel WNBA Odds for August 28

Moneyline

• Chicago Sky: -104
• Washington Mystics: -118

Spread

• Chicago Sky: +1.5 (-110)
• Washington Mystics: -1.5 (-110)

Over/Under (Total)

• OVER 159 (-110)
• UNDER 159 (-110)

Chicago Sky vs Washington Mystics Injury Report

Chicago Sky Injury Report

1. Elizabeth Williams – Knee – Out
2. Chennedy Carter - Out

Washington Mystics Injury Report

1. Shakira Austin – Ankle – Out
2. Karlie Samuelson – Knee – Probable

Best Odds for Chicago Sky vs Washington Mystics

• The Chicago Sky has covered the spread in their last game despite losing to the defending champions Las Vegas Aces. The best Chicago Sky odds to cover are available on Betano at -110.
• The Washington Mystics have beaten the Chicago Sky in five of their last six encounters. Bwin offers the best Chicago Sky vs Washington Mystics odds for the road team to win outright at +100.
• The under hit in four of the last six encounters between the Chicago Sky and the Washington Mystics. Novibet offers the best price for the under at -116.

Why will the Chicago Sky cover the spread?

Everything has turned from bad to worse for the Chicago Sky since trading Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun last month.

• Without Mabrey, the Sky has only won once in their last five games and is in danger of falling out of the playoff picture.
• With the ninth-place Atlanta Dream right in their crosshairs and just a game behind, Chicago is in desperate need of a victory to solidify its hold on the eighth spot.

Fortunately for the Sky, they are going up against a team they might be better than – at least on paper.

• While Chicago has lost three consecutive games, they have actually beaten the Washington Mystics this season.
• Their only loss to the Mystics this season was largely because of Mabrey, who missed the game-tying free throws after being fouled by Stefanie Dolson with 0.2 seconds left.

It is also worth noting that the Sky gave the defending champions Las Vegas Aces a run for their money in their last game, despite being down by as many as 12 in the fourth.

1. Taking everything into account, backing Chicago to cover the +1.5 spread could offer significant value since they are also playing at home.
2. One thing the Sky needs to do to increase their chances of covering the spread is to improve their shot selection and avoid taking highly-contested shots from the outside.

This is something you cannot do against the Mystics, especially with how they are shooting from the field.

• Currently, Washington ranks among the best teams in the league in three-point shots made and shooting percentage.

That being said, Chicago’s best bet to cover the spread in this game and snap its three-game losing streak is to attack inside and challenge the Mystics’ interior defense.

Why will the Washington Mystics cover the spread?

The red-hot Washington Mystics – yes, you read that right – are making one last push for the final playoff spot after scoring two consecutive victories in the past week.

• Currently, the Mystics are in the 10th spot and just 3.5 games behind their adversary, the eighth-place Chicago Sky, in the league standings.
• A victory for the Mystics here is crucial and could inch them a few steps closer to the ninth spot and potentially make it into the playoff picture in the final stretch.

Of course, plenty of things have to go the Mystics' way before the playoff talk could be a possibility.

• The good thing, though, is Washington is still in control of their playoff hopes, and what better way to improve their postseason chances than taking on a Sky team that has been in complete disarray since returning from the break.
• With the Sky losing three consecutive games and failing to find their rhythm, the Mystics are in a prime position to pounce and potentially take the lead in the season series.

However, for the Mystics to do so, they will need another big game from shooting guard Brittney Sykes, who has been firing on all cylinders in the past two games.

1. Against the Los Angeles Sparks, the 30-year-old Sykes willed her team to victory by unloading a season-high 28 points on top of six rebounds and five assists.
2. If once wasn’t good enough, Sykes had another huge performance in their next game against the Seattle Storm, registering 20 points and six rebounds.

Other than Sykes, Washington will also need guard Ariel Atkins and forward Aaliyah Edwards to show up in this game.

• In their victory against the Storm on Monday, Atkins and Edwards were only limited to two points each.

Should Sykes continue her hot shooting and the Mystics get enough offensive support from their role players, backing them to cover the spread at these current odds seems attractive, especially with how they looked in their previous games.

Final Chicago Sky vs Washington Mystics Prediction: Washington Mystics -1.5 (-110)

The Chicago Sky actually opened as 2.5 favorites but the line has shifted the other way following the news of Chennedy Carter's absence in this game as a result of COVID’s health and safety protocols.

With Carter out and the Washington Mystics currently firing on all cylinders, I am far more confident on the road team to pull this game off and extend their win streak.