In sports, there is nothing like a do-or-die playoff elimination game. Thursday night brings us precisely that as the Connecticut Sun and Chicago Sky will meet for the right to advance to the 2022 WNBA Finals. Following the Sun’s dominant Game 4 win on Tuesday, this Semifinal Round series is deadlocked at two apiece. It has been back and forth throughout and Game 5 should be yet another highly competitive matchup. The WNBA betting odds are leaning towards the defending champs with their Sun vs Sky prediction.
Whether you are betting on the game or simply a fan with a vested interest, the following game preview will help get you fully prepped for Thursday night’s WNBA Playoffs Game 5 matchup. Included is our official Sun vs Sky prediction, the injury report for both teams, WNBA betting odds, key betting trends and much more! But first, let’s take a look at this special welcome offer from BetOnline Sportsbook.
BetOnline Sportsbook Promo: $2000 Bonus Today!
BetOnline Promo Free Money Offer: 100% Crypto Match Up to $1000!
This first BetOnline Sportsbook promo is for readers who like to bet using cryptocurrency. Along with many other deposit bonuses, BetOnline also has a first-time crypto deposit bonus, matching you dollar for dollar up to $1,000! Simply CLICK HERE, deposit your crypto with the BetOnline promo code CRYPTO100, and away you go!
BetOnline Promo Free Money Offer: 50% Deposit Match Up to $1000!
If you don’t have a crypto wallet and still want to take advantage of the BetOnline promo bonuses for WNBA Playoffs betting, don’t worry, there are plenty of other offers! For new BetOnline users, you can CLICK HERE to claim a 50% match on your very first deposit up to $1,000!
This BetOnline Sportsbook promo can be combined with the first one, meaning you can get $2,000 extra before even winning a bet!
Sun vs Sky Prediction, WNBA Betting Odds and Game Info
WNBA Playoffs 2022 — Game 5 (Series tied 2-2)
Connecticut Sun (25-11, 12-6 Away) vs. Chicago Sky (26-10, 14-4 Home)
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2022
Time: 8 PM EST
Venue: Wintrust Arena — Chicago, IL
Coverage: ESPN2
Sun vs Sky WNBA Playoffs Game 5 Betting Preview
Connecticut Sun Preview
Of the first four games in this Semifinal Round series, Connecticut’s victory in Game 4 on Tuesday was easily the most lopsided. The Sun exploded for 104 points on their home floor to force tonight’s win-and-in Game 5 for a trip to the WNBA Finals. While the defending champs garnered plenty of attention, Connecticut was seemingly a team flying under the radar coming into the playoffs. However, with a deep and experienced roster led by Alyssa Thomas and Jonquel Jones, the Sun have brought themselves to the cusp of getting back to the WNBA Finals.
In order for the Sun to get the job done as WNBA betting underdogs tonight, it will take superb defense and another quality shooting display. That said, it’s highly unlikely that the Sun will be able to replicate the 56.9% shooting clip from the field that they achieved in Game 4. If Connecticut can merely hit or exceed their season average of 46.2% from the floor, the underdogs will have plenty of bark with regard to tonight’s Sun vs Sky prediction.
Chicago Sky Preview
Despite the entire starting lineup scoring in double figures on Tuesday, the Sky suffered a lopsided 24-point defeat. After being upset in their playoff-opener by New York, the Sky flipped the switch on the defensive end. Chicago has achieved a defensive rating that is more than three full points better than their regular season number. That theme failed to continue in Game 4 on the road making a bounce-back defensive performance vital for the Sky this evening.
Perhaps another key component to consider for tonight’s Sun vs Sky prediction is how Connecticut will defend Candace Parker. After being on fire for the first five games of these WNBA Playoffs, Parker has been held under 36% shooting from the field in each of the last two games. If the Sun continue to limit her productivity, the onus will be on players like Kahleah Copper, Emma Meeseman and Courtney Vandersloot to make up the difference for Chicago offensively.
Sun vs Sky WNBA Betting Odds
All WNBA betting odds for Sun vs Sky can be found at BetOnline Sportsbook.
Moneyline: CON: (+170) | CHI: (-195)
Point Spread: CON: +4.5 (-110) | CHI: -4.5 (-110)
Total: 159 — Over: (-105) | Under: (-115)
Public (Spread) Betting Percentages via VSiN: CON: (28%) | CHI: (72%)
Sun vs Sky Betting Trends
- Sun are 8-1 ATS in their last nine road games.
- Four of the Sun’s last five games have gone UNDER the total.
- The UNDER is 4-0 in the Sky’s last four games following an ATS loss.
- Five of the Sky’s last six games have gone UNDER the total.
- Sky are 6-2 ATS in their last eight head-to-head meetings against the Sun played in Chicago.
Connecticut Sun Injury Report
None
Chicago Sky Injury Report
None
Sun vs Sky Stats
- Connecticut averaged 85.8 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 3 in the WNBA).
- Connecticut surrendered 77.8 PPG this season (No. 2 in the WNBA).
- Chicago averaged 86.3 PPG this season (No. 2 in the WNBA).
- Chicago surrendered 81.3 PPG this season (No. 4 in the WNBA).
Sun vs Sky Prediction
Both the Sun and Sky have seen five of their seven games this postseason finish under the closing WNBA betting total. With a spot in the WNBA Finals on the line tonight, it seems logical to expect top-notch intensity at the defensive end from both teams.
As far as the expected pace of play in Thursday’s Game 5 showdown, the Sun are worth noting. So far in the playoffs, Connecticut has played at an average tempo that is over two possessions per game slower than what the team averaged during the regular season. In addition, the Sun and Sky rank first and second in defensive rating during the playoffs, respectively.
From the standpoint of the betting market, the total has been moving heavily towards the Under after opening at 161.5. This move has occurred despite over 75% of all bets made thus far being on the opposite side. The opportunity to fade the public while also aligning with the line move should only make bettors bolder in their pursuit of betting the Under.
Sun vs Sky Prediction: Under 159 (-115 at BetOnline Sportsbook)