Washington Mystics (18-11) vs Seattle Storm (23-7)
When: Thursday, August 9th, at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington D.C.
TV: NBA TV, NBCSWA, League Pass
Injury
Mystics: N/A
Storm: N/A
Mystics -
84.6 - points per game
82.5 - points against
44.5 - Field goal %
Storm -
88.0 - points per game
79.7 - points against
47.1 - field goal %
Leading Scorers –
SEA PTS
Breanna Stewart
22.6
Jewell Loyd
16.2
Natasha Howard
13.2
Sue Bird
10.2
Alysha Clark
7.7
WAS PTS
Elena Delle Donne
20.6
Kristi Toliver
13.9
Ariel Atkins
10.8
LaToya Sanders
10.3
Natasha Cloud
8.9
Keep an eye on:
Storm BIG Three: MVP Candidate Breanna Stewart, explosive guard Jewel Loyd and the ageless legend Sue Bird pose as big of a threat you will see from any trio in the WNBA. Stewart is one of the most dominant players in the league due to her ability to score efficiently from all three levels, rebound at an elite level and an underrated aspect of her game, being an effective defender. Stewie averages a team high 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 52.9 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from deep and 82.5 percent from the charity stripe. Loyd is streaky yet when she gets going, she is their most dangerous scorer, able to fill it up from anywhere on anyone. She has no conscious and that will keep Mystics defenders on their toes all night long. Bird is arguably the greatest point guard the WNBA has had and she looks like she can play forever. She’s second in the WNBA in assist (7.4) while shooting 46 percent from the field, 43 percent from three point territory and 81 percent from the line. While Bird is a pass first point guard, you still have to respect her scoring ability. It’s difficult, yet if the Mystics can find a way to slow these three players down, it will put them in a great position to avoid a season sweep from the Storm.
Ball Movement Kills: Seattle has the most efficient offense in the WNBA and the main reason for that, is their team passing ability. Simply put they are ‘surgical’ finding the open man. Seattle leads the WNBA in assist at 21.4 per game. It starts with Bird, however she is far from the only capable playmaker on the team. Loyd (3.6), rookie Jordan Canada (3.3) and Stewart (2.6) all are threats at finding the open man. Washington must be on the same page defensively, and disciplined to slow down the top team in the WNBA. Washington have championship goals , knocking off Seattle tomorrow can go a long way as the postseason nears.
