The new-look Chicago Sky aims to pick up where they left off when it hosts the visiting Phoenix Mercury on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the Wintrust Arena.
(Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Chicago, which is coming off a 93-85 upset victory of the Las Vegas Aces, sent shockwaves across the league when it traded Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, and a first-round pick.
- Prior to being traded, the 27-year old Mabrey was a force to be reckoned with for the Sky, averaging 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game.
- With Mabrey gone, the Sky will have their work cut out next as they take on an offensive-loaded Mercury squad, who is currently among the best scoring teams in the league.
- The Mercury, which ranks fourth in scoring, beat the Washington Mystics 96-87 on the road the last time they hit the court.
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Both teams have yet to face one another this season, which makes this game even more interesting. Will the Sky draw first blood in its three-game season series or will the Mercury prove why they are among the top scoring teams in the league?
Keep scrolling as we take an in-depth look at how bookmakers see this one playing out in this Chicago Sky vs Phoenix Mercury sports betting predictions piece.
Chicago Sky vs Phoenix Mercury DraftKings WNBA Odds for August 15
Moneyline
- Chicago Sky: +130
- Phoenix Mercury: -155
Spread
- Chicago Sky: +3 (-110)
- Phoenix Mercury: -3 (-110)
Over/Under (Total)
- OVER 164.5 (-110)
- UNDER 164.5 (-110)
Chicago Sky
vs
Phoenix Mercury
Injury Report
Chicago Sky Injury Report
- Elizabeth Williams – Knee – Out
- Chennedy Carter - Ankle - Day-to-Day
- Moriah Jefferson – Ankle – Day-to-Day
Phoenix Mercury Injury Report
- Sug Sutton – Elbow – Out
- Rebecca Allen – Hamstring – Day-to-Day
- Charisma Osborne – Leg – Day-to-Day
Best Odds for
Chicago Sky
vs
Phoenix Mercury
- The Chicago Sky has beaten the Phoenix Mercury in five of their last six matchups. Betano offers the best Chicago Sky odds to win outright at +140.
- The Chicago Sky and the Phoenix Mercury have hit the under in five of their last six matchups. The best Chicago Sky vs Phoenix Mercury odds tonight for the under 164.5 is on DraftKings at -110
- The Phoenix Mercury holds a 7-6 Against-The-Spread (ATS) away record this season. Bet365 offers them at -110 to cover the -3 spread.
Why will the
Chicago Sky
cover the spread?
The Chicago Sky opened as three-point underdogs across several bookmakers and a lot of that has to do with the departure of sweet shooting guard Marina Mabrey.
The 27-year old Mabrey was the Sky’s second leading scorer and has led the team in scoring in seven of its 24 games this season.
With Mabrey gone, the Sky has lost one of its key offensive cogs but that does not mean they don’t stand a chance against the inconsistent Phoenix Mercury.
While the Mercury is ranked a few spots higher than the Sky in the standings, they have been among the worst road teams in the league, winning just five games away from home. What’s even worse is in those road losses, the Mercury lost by an average margin of 16 points.
- Plus, it’s not like the Sky got nothing when it parted ways with Mabrey.
Although Mabrey’s offensive contribution will surely be missed in the Windy City, the Sky did get crafty guards Moriah Jefferson and Rachel Banham.
- The 30-year-old Jefferson just played nine games this season, only averaging just above two points per game but it is worth noting that she has been injured for the most part of the year.
- Banham, on the other hand, is averaging 4.9 points per game this year but she has picked up her play lately, even scoring 24 points against this same Mercury squad last month prior to being traded.
- Banham and Jefferson are expected to provide support in the backcourt to versatile guard Chennedy Carter, who has been going bonkers this season averaging 16.4 ppg.
Also expected to carry the offensive load for Chicago is rookie sensation Angel Reese, who will look to test her mettle against All-Star center Brittney Griner.
- With Banham, Jefferson, and Carter manning the backcourt and Reese and Kamilla Cardoso doing the dirty work down low, it’s not far-fetched to see the Sky cover +3 spread at home.
Why will the
Phoenix Mercury
cover the spread?
The Phoenix Mercury has been an embodiment of inconsistency throughout the season. After starting the season winning three of their first four games, the Mercury went on a four-game losing streak. If once wasn’t bad enough, the Mercury then scored three consecutive wins last month before dropping two straight games.
Now they head to Chicago after the break in high spirits considering their last victory was a 96-87 spanking of the Washington Mystics.
- As per recent Phoenix Mercury odds tonight, the Mercury heads into the game as three-point favorites and that just seems about right.
While this Mercury squad has been inconsistent, one would argue that the current state of the Chicago Sky far outweighs the unpredictability of the former.
With Chicago trading its second leading scorer, Phoenix is in a prime position in this game to pounce and take advantage of the personnel change.
- Even if the Marina Mabrey trade pans out well for Chicago, new recruits Moriah Jefferson and Rachel Banham will need time to get acclimated to the Sky’s play, which is something the Mercury could take advantage of.
- Add to that the terrible ATS home record of Chicago and punters could see the -3 spread for the Mercury at -110 a steal.
Of course, for that to happen the Phoenix Mercury will need to show up against the Sky and everything begins with Kahleah Copper.
- The 29-year old Copper, who leads the Mercury in scoring with 23.2 points per game, is expected to shoulder the offensive duties against the Sky along with Britney Griner and Diana Taurasi.
- It is worth noting that the Mercury are 8-2 (win-loss) this season when Cooper scores at least 23 points.
Final
Chicago Sky
vs
Phoenix Mercury
Prediction: Phoenix Mercury -3 (-110)
While I am a huge fan of Angel “Barbie” Reese and I think she should be co-Rookie of the Year with the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, the decision-making within the Chicago Sky’s front office makes me question the direction and the aspirations of the team for this season.
Trading your second leading scorer who happens to be one of the best three-point shooters in the league when you are in the middle of a playoff hunt certainly doesn’t look encouraging. Maybe, it would make sense in the future but certainly, not right now.
- Unless something catastrophic occurs, which I don’t think something will, the Mercury should easily cover the spread here.
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