Connecticut Sun vs. Chicago Sky Expert Picks – August 20, 2023

CONNECTICUT SUN VS. CHICAGO SKY EXPERT PICKS – AUGUST 20, 2023 – Greetings basketball fans. Welcome back to our weekend WNBA coverage here at Godzilla Wins. After our earlier look at the Wings vs. Mystics, our next game features the Connecticut Sun (21-10) taking on the Chicago Sky (12-19). 

Here is a look at which team has the edge heading into this matchup and why. 

Tipoff

When: Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM ET

Where: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL

TV: NBA TV and NBCS-BOS

Odds courtesy of DraftKings. Table provided by editorial staff.

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The Odds

Sun vs. Sky Season Trends

Sun Hoping To Snap Three-Game Losing Skid Against Struggling Sky

While the Sun have the third-best record in the league, they are limping into this matchup against Chicago. For the first time all season, the Sun have dropped three straight games. This includes a disappointing 95-75 loss to the Dallas Wings on Friday. DeWanna Bonner paced the Sun with 25 points, 12 boards, and three assists. But it wasn’t enough to prevent the Sun from losing to the Wings for the second straight game. And shooting 38 percent from the field certainly didn’t help. 

Despite their recent shortcomings, though, the Sun have the fourth-best offense in the league – scoring 83.5 points per contest and 105.9 points per 100 possessions. And believe it or not, Connecticut is ranked first in points allowed (79.3 PPG) and they have the second-best defensive rating (100.6 points per 100 possessions). 

Taking that into consideration, look for a better effort against a Chicago Sky squad that has struggled most of the season. 

Chicago Sky Playoff Hopes Fading Fast

Like Connecticut, the Sky are coming into this matchup during an unfavorable stretch as well. Chicago is 4-6 across its last 10 games. This includes a four-game losing streak, with their most recent defeat coming at the hands of the Atlanta Dream. A few days ago, Chicago had a one-game lead for the final postseason berth. Now, they find themselves trailing the Los Angeles Sparks by a game in the standings. 

Chicago has the sixth-best offense in the association. On the flip side of the narrative, they have the fourth-worst defensive rating, which has contributed to the team’s recent slide. And if the struggles continue, Chicago may find itself on the outside looking in when it’s all said and done. 

The Picks

The Spread

The Connecticut Sun are favored to win this game by 6.5 points. Yep. I’m inclined to agree and here’s why. 

• Connecticut is 20-9 ATS in their last 29 road contests.
• The Sun have a perfect 4-0 record ATS in the last four meetings between these teams. 
• Connecticut is 4-1 ATS in the last five head-to-head matchups in Chicago.
• Connecticut won both head-to-head meetings this season by a double-digit margin.
• Chicago is 1-9-2 ATS in its last 11 outings against Eastern Conference opponents. 

Prediction: Connecticut Sun (-6)

Over/Under

The projected over/under total is 159 points. Yes. This does seem to be a bit conservative. But here is why going with the UNDER is the smart play here.

• The UNDER total has cashed in each of Connecticut’s last four outings against Eastern Conference opponents. 
• The UNDER is 5-2 for the Sky in their last seven games against teams with a winning record. Connecticut is 21-10 on the season. 
• The UNDER is 5-2 in the last seven meetings between these teams.
• The UNDER total has prevailed the last four times these teams played in Chicago. 

Prediction: UNDER 159 points

Player Prop Bet

My key player to watch in this game is Chicago Sky guard Kahleah Copper. She currently has -125 odds of scoring more than 17.5 points and -105 odds of scoring less than 17.5 points. 

Copper is averaging a career-best 18.7 points per contest. In those two losses against Connecticut this season, she is averaging 25.5 points per outing and she is averaging 21.7 points per game over her last 10 games.

That said, I am going with the OVER here.

Prediction: Kahleah Copper OVER 17.5 points