Trent Reinsmith
- Date & Location: Wednesday, October 13 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ
- Odds: Chicago Sky (+155) vs. Phoenix Mercury (-175) via BetOnline
- Pick: Chicago Sky to win Game 2 of the 2021 WNBA finals
The Phoenix Mercury were the No. 5 seed entering the 2021 WNBA playoffs. They topped the New York Liberty and the Seattle Storm in single-elimination games to make it to the best-of-five semifinal round, where the team faced the No. 2 seeded Las Vegas Aces. Phoenix defeated them 3-2 to make it to the final.
The Chicago Sky, who were the No. 6 seed for this year’s playoffs, blew out the Dallas Wings and Minnesota Lynx in their single-elimination games and then bested the No. 1 ranked Connecticut Sun 3-1 in the semis.
In the opening game of the 2021 WNBA finals, Chicago beat Phoenix by a score of 91-77. The first game, like tonight’s Game 2, took place in Phoenix.
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Game 1 takeaways for Chicago
Kahleah Copper had a fantastic game for Chicago in Game 1. She scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Courtney Vandersloot, like Cooper, had a double-double, putting up 12 points and adding 11 assists. Azure Stevens and Candace Parker played well defensively, with each player contributing eight rebounds. Parker added 16 points on the offensive side of the ledger.
Things started slowly for Chicago, but the team found its footing in the second quarter and had an 11-point lead at the half.
If Cooper can stay hot, and there’s no reason to believe she won’t, as she is averaging 18.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists during this year’s playoffs, the Sky are going to be extremely hard to beat.
Chicago Sky +155 to beat Phoenix Mercury via Sportsbetting.
Game 2 takeaways for Phoenix
Mercury coach Sandy Brondello said the team might have been both mentally and physically fatigued in its Game 1 loss. That could be true, but if if the team does not have a bounce back performance in Game 2, those words will feel more like an excuse than a reason for the loss.
On the offensive side of the game, Brittney Griner, who had 20 points, and Diana Taurasi, who netted 17 led the Mercury club.
Defense is going to have to be the key for Phoenix in Game 2. I don’t expect the Mercury to hold the Sky to 60 points like the team did to the Aces in Game 3 of the previous playoff round, but they need improvement. If Sophie Cunningham, who suffered a calf strain in the semifinal round, can get back for Game 2, she will be expected to play a big role on the defensive side of the ball.
Phoenix Mercury -180 to beat Chicago Sky via GTBets.
Pick
I expect Phoenix will be more motivated in Game 2. I also think the team will not be caught by surprise by Chicago in Game 2. With that being said, I think the momentum remains on the side of Chicago. With Cooper playing so well and the way the Sky handled Phoenix in Game 1, they will feel confident that they can get the win and I think they do just that. I predict the score will be closer in this one, but I’m picking the underdog to go up 2-0 in the 2021 WNBA finals.
Sky to beat Mercury in Game 2 of the 2021 WNBA finals at +155 via BetOnline.
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