WNBA Finals Washington Mystics vs Seattle Storm Game 1 Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 09-07-2018 21:00 EDT

Spread: Seattle Storm -5.5

Total: +167.5

In game 1 of this season’s WNBA Finals, the third-seeded Washington Mystics, looking to extend their small winning streak in the playoffs, are visiting the top-seeded Seattle Storm, who want to turn their latest victory into a streak. Both squads eliminated their semifinal rivals with 2-1 wins each.

The Mystics had a 21-12 record (18-14-1 ATS) in the regular season and finished in the third place of the WNBA. They have two consecutive wins and in their latest matchup they were victorious against the Dream on the road in game five, 86-81. The Storm had a 26-8 record (21-12-1 ATS) in the regular season and finished on top of the league. In their latest matchup they ended a 2-game losing skid with a home victory against the Mercury in game four, 94-84.

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Washington are led in scoring by Elena Delle Donne with 21.4 ppg. She also leads the team in rebounding with 12 per game, while Ariel Atkins follows with 15 ppg, adding 4.3 rebounds per game. Kristi Toliver adds 13.8 ppg leads the team in assists made with 5 per game. Seattle are led in scoring by Breanna Stewart with 24 ppg. She also leads the team in rebounding with 7.4 per game, while Natasha Howard follows with 14 ppg, adding 6.8 rebounds per game. Sue Bird adds 11.6 ppg and also leads the team in assists made with 6.8 per game.

This will be the 4^th meeting between those two teams this year with the Storm leading 2-1 wins and each team being victorious at home. Storm have a 16-4 home record so far, while the Mystics are 12-8 on the road. Mystics are better both offensively, scoring a playoff-best of 86.2 ppg to Storms’ 85.2 and defensively, allowing a second-best of 77.3 ppg to Storms’ 86. Storm have a better accuracy from behind the arc (37% to 35.7%) and both squads have almost the same accuracy from the field (44% and 43.9%). They also dish almost the same dimes per game (20.2 to 19.8) and Mystics are grab more boards (36.8 to 35.2) and commit fewer turnovers per game (10.7 to 11.4). Both previous matches in Seattle have been very close so expect another one today and pick Washington in this one.  

Washington Mystics vs Seattle Storm Game 1 Prediction: Washington Mystics +5.5 (-109)