- What: WNBA Semifinal Playoff Game
- When: Tuesday, October 8th
- Who: Connecticut Sun vs. Minnesota Lynx
- Time: 5:00 p.m. PST
- Where: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
The Minnesota Lynx host the Connecticut Sun in pivotal game five of their WNBA Semifinal series. It’s a winner-take-all game, and the victor will face the Liberty in the WNBA Finals.
Win or go home ????
Game 5 of the Semi-Finals series between the @minnesotalynx and @connecticutsun is going down tomorrow at 8pm/ET on ESPN2
Who will meet the New York Liberty in the final round? Tune in to find out pic.twitter.com/qWobSY7d4s
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 7, 2024
These are the two top defensive teams in the league, and in this series, we have had several close games. Oddsmakers are favoring the Lynx at home in this one.
Connecticut
Connecticut has a strong track record in do-or-die playoff situations, winning five of its last seven games. Last year, they swept the Lynx, eliminating them from the postseason.
Although the Lynx rebounded with two impressive wins after losing the first game in this series, the Sun displayed dominance in the paint in their recent victory. They opted for a more balanced offensive strategy focusing on inside play rather than relying heavily on outside shooting.
We're not done yet.
???? @minnesotalynx
???? Target Center
⏰ 8:00 PM ET
???? @espn #BringTheHeat // @MichelobULTRA pic.twitter.com/FyBDDMJaHb— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) October 8, 2024
Alyssa Thomas has been a crucial player for the Sun, showcasing her versatility in various aspects of the game. She has maintained impressive averages of 16.2 points, 10 assists, and 8.7 rebounds throughout the postseason.
In the last game, the Sun effectively utilized Thomas as the roller from the center position, disrupting Minnesota’s typically strong defense and challenging their top interior defenders as one of the WNBA’s most skilled ball handlers for her size.
This strategy, along with Thomas’s exceptional playmaking and rebounding abilities, will likely continue in Game 5.
Minnesota
Naphesa Collier’s MVP-caliber season, the team’s bench depth, and the impact of players like Kayla McBride and Bridget Carleton made the Lynx a challenging opponent. Collier has had a tremendous season winning Defensive Player of the Year and leading the Lynx to the second seed in the playoffs.
Their strong performance in the playoffs, especially in the second game against the Sun, showcased their balanced attack and defensive capabilities.
a trip to the WNBA Finals on the line. pic.twitter.com/6DkAYoYoYE
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 8, 2024
Ultimately, the Lynx’s success will depend on the production of their bench and supporting players. The Lynx had an impressive 16-4 record at home during the regular season, and they won the second game of the series by seven points after a tough battle in the first game.
The key question is whether Minnesota can match Connecticut’s intensity and keep up on the scoreboard in this crucial fifth game.
Sun-Lynx Best Bet
This has been a fantastic series with each team adjusting to the other one like a high-stakes chess match. There is no love lost between these two teams as I’m certain the Lynx haven’t forgotten last year’s playoff defeat to the Sun.
Although the Lynx are at home, I like the experience and playoff savvy that the Sun have. In this matchup that’s essentially a coin-toss, I am picking the Sun end up pulling off the upset.
The best bet in this one is the Sun on the moneyline at +140 odds.
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
