Tipping off in the second matchup of today’s three-game WNBA slate, the Washington Mystics will take on the Minnesota Lynx.

This is the first matchup between these two sides this season. However, it is the first half of a back-to-back as they will each travel to Washington for another matchup on Wednesday after facing off in Minnesota today.

The Lynx enter as 13.5-point favorites with -1000 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Mystics are +650 underdogs, with the game total set at 169.5 points.

Let’s dive into a preview, prediction and pick for this Mystics at Lynx matchup.

Mystics at Lynx Preview

The Washington Mystics enter with a 7-7 record on the season. They will look to carry the momentum of their two-game winning streak, including an impressive upset over the New York Liberty in their previous performance. On the season overall, the Mystics have gone 8-6 against the spread, and the game total has gone over in nine of their 14 games.

Sonia Citron headlines the production for the Mystics, posting averages of 17.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Kiki Iriafen adds 15.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, while Shakira Austin pitches in 14.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game to provide balance in the front court. Cotie McMahon, Georgia Amoore and Michaela Onyenwere also play key roles. The Mystics enter this matchup with a clean injury report.

Washington is scoring 82.2 points per game, which ranks 12th in the WNBA. The Mystics also rank 12th in offensive rating, seventh in field-goal percentage and 14th in three-point percentage while attempting the fewest three-pointers in the league. Defensively, opponents are scoring 86.0 points per game against Washington, which ranks eighth in the league. It also ranks eighth in defensive rating, seventh in opponent field-goal percentage and 11th in opponent three-point percentage.

The Minnesota Lynx have climbed to the top of the WNBA standings with a 13-3 start to the season. They enter tonight’s game on a three-game winning streak and have won 11 of their last 12 games. On the season overall, the Lynx have gone 14-2 against the spread, and the game total is 9-7 to the over/under.

Napheesa Collier remains sidelined as she recovers from her offseason ankle surgeries. Emma Cechova and Dorka Juhasz will also miss tonight’s contest. Second overall pick Olivia Miles has found her form, leading the team with 18.3 points, 5.6 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game. Natasha Howard adds 17.1 points and 7.5 rebounds, while Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride pitch in a combined 31.3 points per contest. Nia Coffey and Maya Caldwell also play key roles.

The Lynx rank second in the WNBA in scoring at 92.3 points per game. Minnesota also ranks first in offensive rating, first in field-goal percentage and first in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are averaging 79.4 points per game against the Lynx, the second-lowest rate in the league. They also rank first in defensive rating, first in opponent field-goal percentage and second in opponent three-point percentage.

Mystics at Lynx Pick, Best Bet

The Minnesota Lynx have made a convincing case why they are one of the top teams in the WNBA once again this season, even while Napheesa Collier remains sidelined. They have won 11 of their past 12 games, with the lone loss being a 100-97 thriller against the Las Vegas Aces. They are 14-2 against the spread overall, and have covered in 11 of their past 12 during this stretch. Olivia Miles is looking to bounce back from her first poor performance at the WNBA level in the previous game, shooting 1-for-10 from the field and being limited to seven points, five rebounds and four assists. But Miles has grown into a Lynx star amid Collier’s recovery, and Minnesota has not missed a beat without the five-time All-Star.

In contrast, the Washington Mystics have struggled to start the season, with some issues on both sides of the ball. Their offense has been the biggest concern, as they rank 12th in scoring and 12th in offensive rating. Washington has been held to 78 or fewer points in six games this season. It has shown an encouraging stretch of late, winning back-to-back games at plus-money, including as 12.5-point underdogs in the previous matchup against the Liberty.

While the recent stretch is encouraging for the Mystics, this is a leap in competition that I do not see them being ready for. Minnesota has been mowing down teams all season, and it enters on a nine-game winning streak at home. The Lynx have covered the spread in six straight and will face a Mystics team that has lost 14 of their past 15 against teams with winning records.

Expect Minnesota to push the scoring to a level that Washington cannot match tonight. The Lynx rank first in offensive rating and lead the WNBA in field-goal and three-point percentage. They have scored 88+ points in 11 of their 16 games, and the Mystics have only reached this margin in four games.

Count on Olivia Miles to be eager to wipe away her previous poor shooting performance and set the tone for the Lynx again tonight. The Mystics do not possess the caliber of defense to slow the team down, nor offense to match their scoring level. Minnesota leads the WNBA with an average point differential of +12.9 per game on the season. Washington will be riding high after its previous win over the Liberty, but Minnesota has looked a tier above everyone else in the WNBA all season, and this is another chance to prove exactly why. Count on the Lynx punching the Mystics in the mouth out of the opening tip and cruising to a blowout victory by more than the 13.5-point spread.

Best Bet: Minnesota Lynx -13.5 (-118)