Dallas Wings vs. Connecticut Sun WNBA preview and prediction
The Dallas Wings, losers of two straight, look to get well against the last-place Connecticut Sun Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Despite the losing efforts, their stars are still producing, as Paige Buckers had 25 points while Azzi Fudd added 21 when Dallas dropped its last game at home to the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, 85-77. Thursday will be the first of four consecutive road contests for the Wings, who have lost four of five on the road of late.
Connecticut is just 4-15 overall, but has won back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Sun, behind 12 points and nine rebounds from Olivia Nelson-Ododa, defeated the Washington Mystics last Friday, 68-57.
Dallas Wings vs. Connecticut Sun WNBA Odds and Betting Trends
The Wings are -8.5 road favourites on the WNBA odds with a -360 moneyline. Meanwhile, Connecticut is at +280.
The over/under for this contest is 171.5. The Sun have played to the over in six of their last nine games, while Dallas has played to the over in four of their past five.
Dallas Wings
With 11 victories, the Wings have already surpassed their win count from each of the previous two seasons. Behind Bueckers (19.9 ppg, 5.9 AST), Jessica Shepard (14.3 ppg, 11.5 REB), Fudd (13.6 ppg, and Arike Ogunbowale (13.5 ppg), Dallas has the foundation to be a bona fide playoff contender right now.
That’s not to say the team won’t experience hiccups, like right now, when it has gone just 4-5 after a 7-3 start. The Wings are 1-4 straight up and 0-5 against the spread in their last five games.
Shepard had 16 rebounds against the Lynx, but Dallas had more turnovers (15) than assists (13).
Reserve Alanna Smith has missed the last three games while in concussion protocol. She is questionable for Thursday’s game, while guard Odyssey Sims, who has been out nearly a month with a left ankle injury, is listed as probable.
Connecticut Sun
Despite this two-game win streak, the Sun are a dead team walking. For reference, they lost seven straight before this modest win streak.
Nobody is expecting wins over the Mystics and Sky to miraculously turn around the last season in Connecticut before the franchise relocates to Houston.
The Sun have just three players averaging in double figures, and Brittney Griner, who had 10 points in the win over Washington, leads the way with a less-than-impressive 12.1 points in only 11 games played.
Leila Lacan, second on the team at 11.9 points per contest, had 12 against the Mystics. Second-year forward Aneesah Morrow (11 ppg, 9.9 REB) missed the Washington game with a leg injury, but is off the injury report and expected to play tonight.
Reserve guards Saniya Rivers and Hailey Van Lith, who have both missed time with injured ankles, are off the injury report as well.
Connecticut is 4-1 against the spread in its last five against the Wings, but Dallas took two of three last season.
WNBA Prediction: Who will win Wings vs. Sun?
Don’t get caught up in the fury of Connecticut’s two-game win streak. It’s just a temporary pause in what is expected to be the franchise’s second straight 30-loss campaign.
Dallas is ascending. This is a game that can get the Wings right. Look for Bueckers and company to take advantage, win the contest and cover the 8.5-point spread as road favourites.
Take Dallas, 92-80.