Grr. You know how the National Hockey League gives a team a point for a tie even if they lose in overtime? There should be something similar for us degenerate gamblers. I had Chicago +4.5 on Wednesday, and the game was tied at the end of regulation, a resounding cover. Sportsbooks should give people like me something, even if things don’t break my way in the extra time. I mean, I called that game right if you consider “the game” to be the usual 40 minutes, right? (weakly) Right…
Seattle O’Sullivan so far: 142-119-1
Phoenix Mercury at Chicago Sky, 9 pm Eastern
The Pick: Chicago -150
Now let’s address that Chicago was up seven at the end of the third quarter; that necessitates a much louder, “GRRR!” My analysis about the advantage in the matchup between points guards continues to be right. Even if Skylar Diggins-Smith had a reasonable game with 13 points, Courtney Vandersloot had 20 points and 14 assists and Diggins-Smith shot 5-18. (On a side note: the All-WNBA first and second teams were announced today. I would take the second team over the first right now, and while it’s not just because Vandersloot would be on my squad vs. Diggins-Smith, it’s a large part of my reasoning) So I’m still riding with Chicago tonight. They should’ve won Wednesday. Their defense is rising to the occasion. Phoenix’s stars are playing too many minutes and are now only getting one day’s rest between games. Mercury star (and WNBA GOAT) Diana Taurasi is playing valiantly, but I think she’s fatigued and hurt, and the Sky are making her either guard Vandersloot (a mismatch on the Mercury’s defensive end) or chase Allie Quigley through a million screens. If Chicago continues to “manage” Brittney Griner, they’re equal or better at every other position on the floor (let me clear, I’m factoring in Taurasi’s injury). The Sky are coming home, the atmosphere should be electric, and the difference in price between the money line and the 2.5 point spread (-114) is small enough I’ll pay to only have to worry about a straight Chicago win.