The Portland Fire (10-13) and Connecticut Sun (5-18) meet in the WNBA today. Tipoff is set for 11:00 a.m. EDT at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The game will be broadcast live on NBCS-BOS.
The Fire are favored by -1.5 on the spread, with the over/under set at 167.5 (-106o / -114u). The Fire are a -120 favorite to win outright, while the Sun are -102 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Fire vs. Sun predictions and WNBA picks.
Fire vs. Sun Odds, Pick
| Fire Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -108 | 167.5 -106o / -114u | -120 |
| Sun Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -112 | 167.5 -106o / -114u | -102 |
- Fire vs. Sun Spread: Fire -1.5 (-108), Sun +1.5 (-112)
- Fire vs. Sun Over/Under: 167.5 (-106o / -114u)
- Fire vs. Sun Moneyline: Fire -120, Sun -102
- Fire vs. Sun Best Bets: Sun +1.5 or Moneyline & Olivia Nelson-Ododa Over 6.5 Rebounds (Play to Over 7.5)
Fire vs. Sun Preview
The Fire are entering this matchup with a fully clean bill of health. They have managed to win two of their last three games, which is highly impressive considering they just survived a grueling quadruple-overtime game.
Typically, a spot like that results in tired legs, but a nice little break right afterward likely helped them recover.
On the other side, the Sun are dealing with some key absences, playing without Saniya Rivers and Aneesah Morrow. Additionally, Brittney Griner is listed as questionable.
The Sun have been decent overall, going 3-3 in their last six games. Though they are coming off two straight losses, those came against elite competition in the Lynx and the Valkyries. They have actually been a pretty respectable team since Leila Lacan came to town.
Fire vs. Sun Prediction
There are two distinct bets to make on this matchup, with one requiring immediate action and the other requiring patience.
The first bet is on the Connecticut Sun +1.5 or the moneyline, which is a play you want to wait on. While Brittney Griner will likely try to play, waiting is the smartest approach.
The market is already highly aware of the situation and expects she might sit out. The moment official news breaks that she is ruled out, the line is going to move immediately by a half-point or even a full point.
However, that initial panic move will likely meet resistance and buyback, pushing the line right back to where it was. By waiting out that post-announcement overreaction, you will be able to capture a much better price, perhaps saving about ten cents on the moneyline.
The second bet is Olivia Nelson-Ododa over 6.5 rebounds, which is a bet you must lock in immediately. If Griner is officially ruled out, this number will immediately jump.
Even without that guarantee, Nelson-Ododa has been dominant on the glass. Since entering the starting lineup six games ago, she is averaging 8.8 rebounds per game and has cleared this 6.5 line in five of those six games, including a 15-rebound performance.
This is not a random hot streak; it perfectly matches her move into the starting unit and Aneesah Morrow sliding out of the rotation.
She is hitting the glass with massive volume, and the line will likely climb to 7.5. It is juiced at six and a half right now, but eating that juice is completely fine, and the over is still worth playing at 7.5 at standard or plus money.
Portland gives up a run-of-the-mill number of rebounds, and if Connecticut plays at a faster pace due to missing their traditional bigs, it will mean more possessions and more rebound opportunities for her.
Best Bets: Sun +1.5 or Moneyline & Olivia Nelson-Ododa Over 6.5 Rebounds (Play to Over 7.5)
