Mystics vs. Storm Prediction and Odds for WNBA Playoffs First Round (Stewart, Storm Start off Strong in Seattle)

Sue Bird's quest for one final ring in her Hall of Fame career begins in Seattle this evening, as Game 1 tips off at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m PST between the 4-seeded Seattle Storm, and 5-seed Washington Mystics.

Both teams are healthy entering the postseason. When Washington had star forward Elena Delle Donne in the lineup, it went 18-7 with her on the floor, and just 4-7 in games she sat out.

However, Seattle faced Washington with Delle Donne in all three matchups this year; going 2-1 both straight up and against the spread. Washington's lone win came in Game 1 of a back-to-back at home.

With Delle Donne back, rested and healthy, are the Mystics potentially being overlooked for not just Game 1, but also in the series?

Here are the latest odds for Game 1 over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Mystics vs. Storm Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Mystics +3.5 (-110)
• Storm -3.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Mystics +150
• Storm -175

Total:

• 158.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Mystics vs. Storm Prediction and Pick

Both teams finished the regular season with nearly identical net ratings. Washington ended up as the top rated defensive team in the league while Seattle finished top three. On offense, however, the Storm really ramped up down the stretch; finishing with the top offensive rating in the league over the month of August.

Delle Donne's presence helps Washington immensely, and the postseason presents an entirely different challenge and perspective, but two of the Mystics' seven losses with Delle Donne in the lineup came against Seattle. I'd lean on the Storm to cover the 3.5, but I have concerns with their ability to separate with Washington's top-rated defense.

Instead, I'll bet on the Storm to cover a single point in the first quarter, where they've been elite all season, but especially of late.

Since August, Seattle has by far and away the best offensive rating in the first quarter of any WNBA team (135.2), but also the third-best defensive rating (97.1); trailing only the Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun by just over a point. For as good as Washington is defensively, its defensive rating in the first quarter over the last two weeks has been far below average; ranking seventh out of 12 teams.

The Storm will look to dictate pace early on in their home building and get the crowd going. With Washington's recent early quarter struggles, covering by a single point feels like terrific value.

PICK: Storm 1Q -1 (-110)

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