Charlie Cummings breaks down his prediction and pick for Friday’s Unrivaled matchup between the Breeze and the Hive.
We’ve got more Unrivaled action on Friday as the new season gets underway. The Breeze and the Hive will meet on Friday night, a matchup pitting stars against stars and WNBA teammates against each other.
The Breeze is a 2.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. A Hive upset is priced at +114, with the game total set at 136.5 points. Let’s get into my prediction and pick for this game.
Breeze vs. Hive prediction
The Breeze is loaded with young stars, headlined by Paige Bueckers. The Dallas Wings phenom is following up her historic rookie season with an Unrivaled campaign, sure to be full of highlights. She got the party started in a win over the Phantom.
Bueckers is flanked by young Sparks wing Rickea Jackson and another recent WNBA rookie, Dominique Malonga. Their bench features Cameron Brink, Kate Martin, and Aari McDonald. McDonald, 27, is the veteran of the group with five years of WNBA experience. The rest of the team comprises WNBA rookies or sophomores. Youth is clearly the MO here, and they want to run everyone off the floor with their energy.
The Hive is a bit more diversified in its talents. Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever’s All-Star point guard, will lead the way offensively. She’s as good a scorer as you can find in the backcourt and can go toe-to-toe with Bueckers all night. Sonia Citron, also coming off a strong rookie season, will be stationed on the perimeter. A lights-out shooter and capable defender, Citron’s an excellent complement alongside Mitchell. Defensive dynamo Ezi Magbegor will patrol the paint for their starting three.
They have a bench that provides significant lineup versatility. Monique Billings brings a size and rebounding edge to the paint at 6-foot-4, while also being able to stretch the floor. Natisha Hiedeman has been one of the best bench guards in the WNBA for the Minnesota Lynx, offering even more shooting and playmaking. When Mitchell sits, Hiedeman can provide a facsimile of her production. Saniya Rivers rounds it out as a tall, defense-first guard with some scoring chops.
Head coach Rena Wakama can mix-and-match to her heart’s delight with this team. Need size? Run with Citron, Billings, and Magbegor. Run some small-ball groups around Mitchell, Rivers, and Hiedeman. It’s a lot of variability to play around with, and how they match up with the Breeze will be fun to watch.
So, will the young guns carry the day? Or can the wily Breeze find a way to pull off the win?
Breeze vs. Hive pick
The Hive has an interesting group of talents, but it’s hard to ignore the sheer dominance the Breeze can tap into. Bueckers is nearly unguardable, the Malonga-Brink tandem should dominate the paint, and Jackson is one heck of a second option. The Hive is going to have all kinds of trouble putting a lid on the Breeze.