The Valkyries are hosting the Tempo on Sunday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Golden State is favored by 13.5 points and this game carries a total of 165.5 points.
Let’s get into my pick and prediction for this contest.
Valkyries vs. Tempo Preview
Sunday is the first of back-to-back games between the Valkyries and Tempo in Golden State. These clubs have met once this season, going head-to-head in Toronto on July 8 and the Valkyries came out on top, 83-75.
The Valkyries are well on their way to their second playoff berth in the franchise’s first three seasons in the WNBA. Golden State is the No. 3 seed at 19-9 and ranks third in net rating. Meanwhile, the Tempo are struggling in the franchise’s debut season in the league, as the No. 13 seed at 10-18 and ranking third-to-last in net rating.
The Valkyries are the WNBA’s top-rated defense this season, but they are an average offense, ranking seventh in rating and the team has hit a skid recently, dropping two in a row, first to the Mystics at home and then the Mercury on the road.
Golden State is led by Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton and Janelle Salaun. Williams missed the loss to the Mercury due to reconditioning reasons, but she is questionable tonight and feels likely to play. Williams is leading the Valkyries with 14.8 PPG and she has been the team’s most consistent option.
Golden State can struggle to score at times, but this is an elite matchup, as the Tempo rank dead last in defensive rating. Toronto also only ranks eighth in offensive rating, so the Valkyries’ league-best defense should give the Tempo fits.
Toronto looked solid to begin the season, but the squad has been horrible recently, winning only once in its last 10. Leading scorer Marina Mabrey (neck) is also out tonight, creating a large void. The guard is averaging a career-high 20.9 PPG and she was just named to her first All-Star team.
On top of Mabrey, Brittney Sykes (foot) remains out and newly acquired Aneesah Morrow (reconditioning) isn’t ready to make her team debut after being traded to the team Friday.
This leaves Kiki Rice, Maria Conde and Isabelle Harrison as the Tempo’s top options, which isn’t encouraging for this difficult road matchup vs. the Valkyries, who are a league-best 11-4 at home.
Valkyries vs. Tempo Pick, Best Bet
The Valkyries don’t lose at home often and they shouldn’t have much trouble winning this game over the Mabrey-less Tempo. Golden State deserves to be a large favorite, but backing it to cover this 13.5-point spread is dicey with the Valkyries coming off two straight losses.
I am more inclined to back this game to go under its total of 166.5 points, which feels too high for this matchup, particularly with Mabrey missing. The first meeting of the season between these clubs produced only 158 points and Golden State is 15-13 for the under this season.