The Portland Fire and Washington Mystics meet Thursday in WNBA action at the CareFirst Arena. Here’s a Mystics vs Fire Prediction. This article will include a Mystics vs Fire Pick.
Portland Fire Betting Preview
The Portland Fire needs a win after losing 10 of its last 15 games. The Fire have lost 7 of their last 9 road games.
The Portland Fire is averaging 85 points on 44.4 percent shooting and allowing 91.2 points on 46.8 percent shooting. Carla Leite is averaging 15.3 points and 5.8 assists, while Bridget Carleton is averaging 13.5 points and 3.7 rebounds. Megan Gustafson is the third double-digit scorer, and Sarah Ashlee Barker is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The Portland Fire is shooting 34.6 percent from beyond the arc and 81.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Portland Fire is allowing 33.8 percent shooting from deep and is grabbing 29.5 rebounds per game.
Washington Mystics Betting Preview
The Washington Mystics look for a win after winning 8 of their last 12 games. The Mystics have won 4 of their last 6 home games.
The Washington Mystics are averaging 81.1 points on 43.6 percent shooting and allowing 83.2 points on 42.2 percent shooting. Sonia Citron is averaging 17.8 points and 3.9 rebounds, while Kiki Iriafen is averaging 15.6 points and 1.7 assists. Shakira Austin is the third double-digit scorer, and Michaela Onyenwere is grabbing 3.1 rebounds. The Washington Mystics are shooting 28.7 percent from beyond the arc and 73 percent from the free-throw line. The Washington Mystics are allowing 32 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.8 rebounds per game.
Why the Washington Mystics will win
- The Mystics have won eight of their last 10 home games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Fire have lost four of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Why the Portland Fire will win
- The Mystics have lost each of their last three games as favorites following a road win.
- The Mystics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as home favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in eight of the Mystics’ last 10 games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Fire’s last five road games against Eastern Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Mystics’ last five night games has gone UNDER the total points line.
Washington Mystics Player Facts
- Sonia Citron ranks 3rd amongst qualified players in the Eastern Conference for FT% (88.8%) this season.
- Shakira Austin ranks 6th amongst qualified players for blocks per game (1.5) this season.
Portland Fire Player Facts
- Bridget Carleton has recorded 4+ steals + blocks in each of her last two games – equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Sarah Ashlee Barker ranks 4th amongst qualified Guards for FG% (48.7%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Washington Mystics rank 14th for free throw percentage this season (73.0%).
- The Washington Mystics rank 14th for three-point field goals made per game this season (5.7).
- The Portland Fire ranks 14th for turnovers per game this season (16.0).
- The Portland Fire have recorded the equal-longest home losing streak in the WNBA this season (4 games).
Mystics vs Fire Injury Report
The Mystics don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
Sania Feagin is out for the Fire with a knee injury. Megan Gustafson is out due to personal reasons. Teja Oblak is questionable with an illness.
Mystics vs Fire Prediction
The Fire are a banged-up team that’s struggling defensively and not a team I’m running to the window to bet. However, we know the deal with the Mystics, and it’s been the case for years. We fade the Mystics as favorites and bet on them as underdogs. The Mystics are 3-15 ATS in their last 18 games as a favorite. The Mystics are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite of 5 or more points, and 3 of those games were outright losses. The Fire took the Mystics to overtime three weeks ago. This has nothing to do with the Fire and everything to do with the Mystics being notorious for coming up small when expectations are placed on them. Give me the points.