Nobody in the WNBA is hotter than the Golden State Valkyries heading into their showdown against the Washington Mystics on Monday night. Will Golden State be able to extend its winning streak to 10 games in front of the home crowd?
Having won nine in a row and 13 of their last 15, the Valkyries (19-7) are now just one game back of Minnesota in the Western Conference – and in the entire WNBA standings. Washington (12-12) is hoping to halt a two-game skid.
With tipoff set for 10:00 pm ET, it’s time to break down the matchup and discuss the best bets to make.
Washington Mystics vs. Golden State Valkyries betting picks and predictions
Washington Mystics +8.5 (-115)
These two teams just faced each other on Saturday, also at Golden State. The Valkyries battled to a 74-69 victory and required a 22-12 fourth quarter to escape an outright loss. Covering a -8.5 spread, however, was never in the picture. It may be asking too much of the home team in this rematch, as well.
Golden State may be enjoying a nine-game winning streak, but it has not exactly been dominant the whole way during this stretch. Five of the nine recent victories have come by single-digits, including by five over the Mystics this past weekend and a pair of wins over Atlanta by no more than five points.
Washington is no slouch of a team and is playing fine basketball at the moment, with a 4-3 record in its last seven games and a 7-5 mark in its last 12. Shakira Austin (14.5 ppg) has exceeded her season average in four consecutive contests, scoring 27, 17, 19 and 18 points.
Under 145.5 (-110)
This play correlates nicely with Washington covering the +8.5 spread. After all, it’s much tougher for a sizable favorite to win by the necessary margin when a game is low scoring as opposed to an offensive shootout.
At a slow pace and with a minimal number of possessions, Golden State would have to be extremely efficient offensively in order to both cover the spread and take this over a 146.5 total.
That is not, however, what the Valkyries are about. This is a defensive-minded squad that is content to slow things down and play solid, fundamental basketball.
Golden State leads the entire WNBA in scoring defense by a country mile, giving up just 75.8 points per game (no other team is better than 82.3 in that department). Washington is third, allowing only 82.5 points per contest.
All things considered, the under looks like the play to make.
Kiki Iriafen Under 12.5 points (-105)
Kiki Iriafen scored a mere six points against Golden State on Saturday, shooting 3-for-8 from the floor and 0-for-1 from three-point range. Washington’s 6’3’’ forward previously faced the Valkyries on July 6 and finished with just 12 points.
There is no shame in those numbers, of course; it’s simply difficult for anyone to put up points on Golden State, but what’s especially alarming for Iriafen is that she scored only two points against Portland last Thursday.
Over her past two outings, the USC product has produced a total of eight points and has not been to the free-throw line a single time. That makes it three times in the last five games that Iriafen has not attempted a foul shot.
Washington Mystics vs. Golden State Valkyries odds
Washington Mystics | +290 |
Golden State Valkyries | -370 |
Spread | GS Valkyries -7.5 |
Total Points | O/U 145.5 |
Washington Mystics vs. Golden State Valkyries player props
Player Points
Shakira Austin (WAS Mystics) | O/U 13.5 |
Sonia Citron (WAS Mystics) | O/U 13.5 |
Kiki Iriafen (WAS Mystics) | O/U 12.5 |
Gabby Williams (GS Valkyries) | O/U 14.5 |
Veronica Burton (GS Valkyries) | O/U 11.5 |
Janelle Salaun (GS Valkyries) | O/U 10.5 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
