Published Jul 7, 12:52am ET by
James Tillman - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jul 7, 12:52am ET
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Updated Jul 7, 12:52am ET
One of Wednesday's WNBA matchups features the Toronto Tempo hosting the Golden State Valkyries. Who has the edge in our Tempo vs Valkyries pick?
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| Toronto Tempo | +7.5 (-109) |
| Golden State Valkyries | -7.5 (-111) |
Toronto has dropped three of its last four games. This stretch includes an 89-76 loss to the Dallas Wings on Sunday.
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The Tempo trimmed an 11-point deficit to five heading into the break. But thanks to an 8-0 burst, Dallas pushed the lead back to 12 entering the final frame and stayed ahead the rest of the way.
Marina Mabrey led four double-digit scorers with 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Nyara Sabally added 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. But despite the individual efforts, the Tempo's offense struggled, shooting 39 percent overall and 34 percent from deep.
Meanwhile, the Valkyries are trending in the opposite direction, winning each of their last five games. The team's latest triumph was a 62-49 victory against the Washington Mystics on Monday night.
Golden State trailed by two at intermission. But thanks to a solid defensive effort in the second half, the road team flipped an early deficit into a double-digit win.
Only one player reached double figures for the Valkyries, as Kaitlyn Chen led the offense with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting and four assists. Her efficiency provided a needed spark, but Golden State struggled to generate consistent scoring elsewhere.
On the other hand, the Valkyries' defense limited its opponent to 30 percent shooting and just 13 percent from beyond the arc. This defensive effort could loom large against a Tempo team desperate for a win.
Toronto enters this battle as a 7.5-point underdog. Here's what you need to know for both teams ahead of this tilt.
The Tempo have gone 2-3 in their last five home games. Meanwhile, Golden State has fared better on the road, winning three of its last five away from home. Given those trends and the Valkyries' league-leading defense, the edge goes to the road team.
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Pick
Golden State Valkyries (-7.5)
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