Storm vs Sun Odds, Lines and Spread – August 16

• Seattle Storm seeking eighth straight win as they battle the Connecticut Sun
• The Sun are battling for one of the final playoff spots in the WNBA
• See the odds, our analysis and best bets for the game below

The Seattle Storm (9-1, 1st in West) are on a tear that the franchise hasn’t enjoyed in a decade.

One of the teams they ripped en route to their WNBA-best mark, the Connecticut Sun (4-6, T-3rd in East), have turned things around since then, and have a chance to avenge an August 4 loss when they meet this afternoon in the wubble at the IMG Academy in Florida.

Seattle Storm vs Connecticut Sun Odds

Odds taken Aug 16th. Tip-off is 3pm ET

This matchup pits two of the hottest teams in the league, with a single loss between them in 12 games. Connecticut has played themselves into the playoff conversation. Will they be able to weather the Storm this time around?

Stewart Back in Fine Form

If there’s a reason why Seattle sits pretty atop the WNBA Championship odds, it’s because of Breanna Stewart. The 2018 Finals MVP missed all of last season as she suffered an Achilles’ injury, but the forward is back with a vengeance in this abbreviated 2020 season.

💰 Breanna BUCKETS 💰

"@breannastewart with hands galore in her grill!" 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/XUDCSuRVQd

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 11, 2020

Through 10 games, Stewart is averaging 18.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while shooting 49.6% from the floor. She’s also lighting it up from beyond the arc, shooting a blistering 44.7% from three-point range.

Connecticut saw it up close and personal in their last matchup, as she drilled three of Seattle’s 11 triples as part of an 87-74 victory.

Stewie gets it done on both ends of the court with monster blocks and big buckets😤

Don't miss @breannastewart and the @seattlestorm this Sunday, 3pm/et on @ABCNetwork! pic.twitter.com/c6I7shCPIn

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 13, 2020

But Seattle makes their hay on the defensive side of the ball, where they hold their opponents to a league-best 73.4 points a game. They clamp down the opposition to shoot 38.9% from the field — the only team in the W to crack less than 40% shooting defense. And they trail only the Las Vegas Aces in three point shooting defense, limiting opponents to 31.2% from deep.

All that good work has the Storm riding a seven-game winning streak. They’ve got work to do to match the best franchise streak of 13 straight wins in the the 2010 season.

Sun Turn Season Around

Going winless in nearly a quarter of your season isn’t exactly the formula for making the postseason, but the Connecticut Sun are trying it the hard way. After dropping that game to the Storm, they sat at 0-5, with just 17 games left in the season.

🚨🔥 MVP's de la Night 🔥🚨
DeWanna Bonner 18pts 6reb 4ast 3stl et Alyssa Thomas @athomas_25 17pts 7reb 4ast 🔥🔥😍😍 pour le come back de Connecticut et les deux joueuses tellement clutch 💥🏀🔥🔒#WNBA #WnbaFr pic.twitter.com/uG7k8XFmCM

— Bask'ElleBall 🏀 (@BaskElleBall) August 13, 2020

Since then, the’ve reeled off four wins in their last five games, including their last three in a row, and have moved into the playoff picture, actually tied with the seventh-place Indiana Fever at 4-6.

The wins haven’t come easy: last time out, a 77-74 triumph over Chicago came despite shooting 38.2% from the field for the game. They’ve won their last two games by just seven points.

Welcome to DeWanna Bonner's BLOCK party 🎉

"Bonner saying no ma'am!" 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/dgw2Y5phKZ

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 10, 2020

They have a three-headed core that is carrying the team in the absence of star Jonquel Jones, who has opted out of the wubble for COVID-19 concerns. Picking up the slack has been DeWanna Bonner, who leads the team in scoring at 18.7 points per game and 7.8 rebounds, while providing that steady interior defensive presence.

Alyssa Thomas is chipping in with 15.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per contest, while Jasmine Thomas has posted 12 points and 4.6 assists a contest.

What’s the Best Bet?

Connecticut is definitely in a better place than the first time these teams met, and have enough scoring ability to challenge Seattle’s defense. If they can get the three ball to fall, this could be much closer than many expect. The Sun are connecting on just 31.9% from beyond the arc, and were held to 28% in their loss to the Storm.

But the Storm are playing at an elite level right now. While Stewart is the centerpiece, they have three players averaging double-digits in scoring, and six averaging nine points or better.

The sure pick for me is the Storm moneyline, but you could make it a great betting day if you dare taking the Sun and the points as well.

The pick: Storm ML (-600)