After a record-setting 36-point win for the Chicago Sky on Friday night in Game 3, the Phoenix Mercury have their backs against the wall in a must-win Game 4. Can Phoenix force a Game 5 or will Chicago close it out at home? Here are our best bets for today’s matinee.
1H Chicago -2.5 (-104)
Chicago has the momentum coming into Game 4, as the Sky are one win away from their first-ever franchise title. Candace Parker is 0-2 in closeout Game 4s, but is looking to change that narrative today, as the Sky do not want to see a Game 5 in Phoenix. Chicago has won the first half by 3 or more five times in their 9 postseason games. However, three of the 4 times it did not hit, was against Connecticut. It has already hit twice in their 3 games against Phoenix and both times when Chicago shoots 50% or better from the field. Also, Chicago playing at home in front of a sellout crowd will positively impact this.
Phoenix Mercury 1st Quarter Winner (+120)
In the Mercury’s nine postseason games so far, they have only lost the first quarter twice – Games 2 and 3 of the WNBA Finals. If Phoenix does not win the first quarter, then I believe they lose Game 4 and the WNBA Finals. The Mercury’s bench contribution has been a point of contention all series, however it was the starter’s lack of production for Phoenix in Game 3 where Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith combined for 3-19 field goals and 2-12 from deep. The Mercury ended the contest shooting 25.8% from the field and 25% from downtown. In Game 1 when Phoenix took the first quarter, Taurasi and Diggins-Smith shot 50% and 55% for the game and still came up short. Phoenix knows what is on the line here and cannot afford to be digging themselves out of a hole that early in the contest.
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