Chicago Sky vs Seattle Storm    (lost)

The total for this game is set at 179.5, and I prefer the Under. Chicago’s biggest issue at the moment is in the backcourt, with Skylar Diggins and Sydney Taylor both unavailable. Taylor, in particular, has developed into one of the team’s most important perimeter scorers recently, averaging close to 20 points per game over her last 10 appearances. With two major ball-handlers missing at the same time, Chicago still has Natasha Cloud and Courtney Vandersloot to organize the offense, but its ability to create points individually from the perimeter is clearly reduced. As a result, the Sky are likely to rely more heavily on Kamilla Cardoso and Azurá Stevens, which should also push the game toward more half-court possessions.

Seattle also has clear offensive concerns. The Storm have now lost 11 straight games and have not been a consistently efficient offensive team, particularly in late-game situations. More importantly, Flau’jae Johnson is dealing with an ankle issue ahead of this matchup. She is averaging close to 14 points per game this season and remains one of Seattle’s most important sources of penetration and transition offense. If she is unable to play at full strength, the Storm will have to depend even more on Natisha Hiedeman as the primary ball-handler, with Dominique Malonga and Awa Fam finishing possessions inside. That would make Seattle’s offense even more predictable and less varied.

The first meeting between these teams finished 95-90, producing 185 total points, but the personnel situation is clearly different this time. Chicago is missing one of its most reliable recent perimeter scorers, while Seattle also has injury concerns around an important offensive player, so the previous high-scoring result should not be used as the main reference point. At the same time, Seattle remains competitive on the boards, with Malonga and Fam both providing solid rim protection and rebounding. That should lead to a more physical game with more half-court possessions rather than a completely open, up-tempo shootout.

Pick: Under 179.5