The Washington Mystics and Toronto Tempo meet Friday in WNBA action at the Coca-Cola Coliseum. Here’s a Tempo vs. Mystics Prediction. This article will include a Tempo vs. Mystics Pick.
Washington Mystics Betting Preview
The Mystics enter the second year under coach Sydney Johnson as this team continues its rebuild. The Mystics are as young as a team can get as Shakira Austin and Michaela Onyenwere are the only players on the roster with more than a year of WNBA experience. Alex Wilson is the only player older than 26 years old. This is easily the youngest team in the WNBA.
However, don’t let the youth fool you. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen were two of the better rookies in the league last season. The addition of Lauren Betts bolsters the frontcourt and gives the Mystics a game changer all around. The Mystics are heading in the right direction, but with a ridiculous amount of youth comes growing pains. We also need to see who steps up in leadership roles. I’m not sure playoffs are in the cards just yet, but this will be a fun team to watch and could be nice to be back in the underdog role a lot.
Toronto Tempo Betting Preview
The Tempo will make their WNBA debut and are led by two-time champion Sandy Brondello as head coach. That’s a terrific start, as it was a shock she was let go by the Liberty. Last season the Golden State Valkyries made the playoffs, so the blueprint has been set. Just because a team is new doesn’t mean success can’t take place out of the gate.
The Tempo has pieces in place to compete right away as Marina Mabrey, Kia Nurse, and Brittney Sykes are proven WNBA players. Drafting Kiki Rice adds high IQ to the back court as well as scoring ability. Temi Fagbenle is coming off her best season yet and it will be interesting if she found a home, with this being her third straight season on a different team. The Tempo has the coach and has players capable of leading to wins. Don’t overlook Canada’s team just because it’s the new kid on the block.
Why the Toronto Tempo will win
- The Mystics have lost each of their last 10 games.
Why the Washington Mystics will win
- The Mystics have won three of their last four season openers.
- The Mystics have covered the spread in each of their last seven Friday road games.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Mystics’ last four games has gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Washington Mystics ranked 1st for free throw attempts per game last season (20.7).
- The Washington Mystics recorded the longest losing streak in the WNBA last season (10 games).
Tempo vs Mystics Injury Report
The Mystics will be without Cotie McMahon, Alex Wilson, and Shakira Austin.
The Tempo will be without Yvonne Ejim, Kitija Laksa, and Maria Conde.
Tempo vs Mystics Prediction
The Mystics are getting the slight edge because we kind of know what to expect from this group. The Tempo is a brand new team adjusting on the fly. However, the Mystics are babies in terms of playing experience and now they start the season on the road in Toronto, a city that supports its basketball.
The crowd should be out and should create a tough environment for the visitors. We saw last season with Golden State what a crowd can do for a team. To me these are two teams in similar boats in that they’re both trying to prove themselves. You’re giving me the free bucket with the home team. I’ll take it.