Ed Scimia
• Betting Analyst
17+ years betting experience
Updated:
Jun 28, 2026 , 01:02 PM ET
• 4 min read
Our WNBA expert backs the Mystics to cover against the visiting Portland Fire.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Sonia Citron (22) drives past Minnesota Lynx guard Maya Caldwell
The Washington Mystics will look to break a two-game losing streak as they host the expansion Portland Fire this afternoon.
Washington has a clear advantage in this game thanks to its defense and rebounding prowess, and I’m taking it to cover in my Fire vs. Mystics predictions.
Let’s take a closer look at tonight’s matchup in my WNBA picks for Sunday, June 28.
Fire vs Mystics prediction
Fire vs Mystics best bet: Mystics -6.5 (-110)
While both teams struggle to generate consistent offense, the Washington Mystics do play strong defense.
They are third in the WNBA with a 104.0 defensive rating, and hold opponents to a 49.5% effective field goal percentage — fifth-best in the league.
The Portland Fire score only 82.6 ppg to begin with, and will find it hard to get easy points against a Mystics defense that allows just 35.2 ppg in the paint.
Portland has lost seven of its last nine, and the expansion team is coming off two blowout losses.
I’m taking the Mystics to cover up to eight points.
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Fire vs Mystics same-game parlay
These are two of the slower teams in the WNBA, both ranking at the bottom in pace metrics.
With both the Mystics and Fire also struggling in terms of offensive efficiency, it’s little surprise they also rank near the bottom of the league in points scored. Washington has now hit the Under in three straight games, and I like that trend to continue this afternoon.
I’ll also take Mystics guard Sonia Citron to hit her scoring total. Washington’s leading scorer at 17.8 ppg, Citron has gone for 21+ points in three of her last five games, and will take advantage of a fire team that ranks dead last in defensive rating (114.7) to hit a reasonable number.
Fire vs Mystics SGP
Mystics -6.5
Under 167.5
Sonia Citron Over 18.5 points
Fire vs Mystics player prop pick
Kiki Iriafen Over 8.5 rebounds (-120)
Kiki Iriafen has been outstanding for the Mystics, averaging 14.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.
And while she’s often a good double-double bet, I like her straight rebounding prop today. Iriafen has gone for double-digit rebounds in each of her last two contests and has a great matchup today against perhaps the worst rebounding team in the WNBA.
Portland is dead last in rebounding rate at 45.6%, and it will struggle even more against Washington, which leads the league in that same stat (54.2%).
Ed Scimia’s 2026 Transparency Record
Best bet: 10-11, -2.21 units
SGP: 4-17, +5.55 units
Player prop: 2-0, +1.68 units
Fire vs Mystics odds
Spread: Fire +6.5 (-105) | Mystics -6.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Fire +220 | Mystics -270
Over/Under: Over 167.5 | Under 167.5
Fire vs Mystics trend
Portland is 1-4 ATS in its last five road games. Find more WNBA betting trends.
How to watch Fire vs Mystics
Location
CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C.
Date
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Tip-off
3 p.m. ET
TV
KPDX, MNMT
Fire vs Mystics latest injuries
Fire: Karlie Samuelson G (Questionable)
Mystics: No key injuries to report.
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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