Published Jun 18, 6:57pm ET by
James Tillman - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jun 18, 6:57pm ET
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Updated Jun 18, 6:57pm ET
One of Friday's WNBA matchups features the Golden State Valkyries hosting the Minnesota Lynx. Who has the edge in our Valkyries vs Lynx pick?
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| Golden State Valkyries | +2.5 (-110) |
| Minnesota Lynx | -2.5 (-110) |
After back-to-back losses against the Lynx and Aces, Golden State has bounced back nicely, winning each of its last four games. This includes a 91-80 victory against the Dallas Wings on Wednesday night.
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Although Golden State held the Wings to seven points in the second quarter, they clung to a two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. And in that final frame, the home team responded with a 27-18 scoring edge en route to its 10th win of the season.
Gabby Williams powered the offense with 25 points, hitting nine of her 12 attempts from the charity stripe. Kaitlyn Chen led the second-unit effort with 15 points, going 7-for-10 from the field. The Valkyries shot 46 percent from the floor and 48 percent from beyond the arc, knocking down 11 3-pointers.
The Lynx look like an early title contender after winning 10 of their last 11 games following a 2-2 start. In their recent outing, they outlasted the Los Angeles Sparks by a 99-83 margin.
After taking a four-point lead through the first 10 minutes of action, Minnesota seized control of the contest for good, courtesy of a 29-18 advantage in the second quarter. Olivia Miles set a WNBA rookie record with 24 points in the first half on her way to scoring a career-best 31 points. Natasha Howard added 15 points and nine boards, while Kayla McBride contributed 14 points and four rebounds.
The Lynx were efficient offensively, shooting 56 percent from the field and 43 percent from three, with four players reaching double figures. That level of execution has been a key factor in Minnesota’s recent stretch of strong performances.
Despite a four-game win streak, Golden State enters this battle as a 2.5-point underdog. Here's a look at what you need to know for both teams ahead of this contest.
The Valkyries have lost all seven meetings in this series, underscoring Minnesota's dominance. On top of that, the Lynx have also flourished on the road, winning seven of their last 10 away from home. And while both teams enter on hot streaks, the edge goes to a Minnesota squad that currently ranks first in both offensive and defensive ratings, making them the more complete team in this Western Conference showdown.
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Pick
Minnesota Lynx (-2.5)
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