The Seattle Storm roll into College Park Center on Friday night to take on the Dallas Wings in a 7:30 PM EDT clash, airing on ION with Ron Thulin and Fran Harris on the call. Tickets start as low as $12, making it a great chance for Arlington fans to catch some WNBA action. The Storm, holding a 17-17 record, are 6.5-point road favorites with an over/under of 180.5 points, looking to solidify their playoff position. The Wings, at 9-27, are coming off a tough 81-80 loss to the Sparks but showed fight with Paige Bueckers’ historic 44-point outburst. This “Celebrate Arlington” game is set to bring the energy, with both teams ready to run.
Position-by-Position Breakdown
Point Guard – Skylar Diggins-Smith drives the Storm’s offense with 17.5 points and 5.8 assists per game, a veteran leader who sets the tone. Paige Bueckers, Dallas’ rookie phenom, counters with 18.4 points and 5.1 assists, fresh off a record-setting performance that showcased her scoring flair.
Shooting Guard – Jewell Loyd brings scoring punch for Seattle, averaging 19.7 points and capable of taking over games with her jumper. Arike Ogunbowale, despite a knee issue, remains Dallas’ go-to scorer at 20.2 points, though her status is questionable after sitting out the last game.
Small Forward – Gabby Williams gives the Storm versatility with 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds, a two-way threat who disrupts wings. DeJonai Carrington provides Dallas with defensive grit and hustle, averaging 7.8 points but needing to step up offensively.
Power Forward – Nneka Ogwumike is Seattle’s cornerstone, averaging 17.2 points and 8.9 rebounds, dominating inside and out. Maddy Siegrist counters for the Wings with 10.6 points, looking to exploit mismatches with her scoring touch.
Center – Ezi Magbegor anchors Seattle’s paint with 12.4 points and 7.8 rebounds, a rim protector who sets a physical tone. Teaira McCowan holds it down for Dallas, averaging 10.1 points and 8.2 rebounds, ready to battle for boards and second-chance points.
Game Outlook
The Storm are clinging to a playoff spot, ranking eighth in offensive rating (98.7 points per 100 possessions) and fourth in defense (77.9 PPG allowed). They’ve won two of three matchups against Dallas this season, including a 79-71 victory on May 19, led by Ogwumike’s 23 points and 18 rebounds. The Wings, despite their 9-27 record, showed life with Bueckers’ 44-point explosion against L.A., though their 10th-ranked defense (83.2 PPG allowed) struggles to contain opponents. Both teams play fast, ranking fourth (Dallas) and sixth (Seattle) in pace, setting up a high-scoring affair. If Ogunbowale plays, Dallas could keep it close, but Seattle’s depth and road toughness (10-8 away) give them the edge.
Best Bets
- Seattle Storm -6.5 – Seattle’s balanced attack and defensive edge make them a solid pick to cover against a Wings team that’s dropped seven of their last ten.
- Over 180.5 Total Points – With both teams pushing the pace and Dallas’ leaky defense, this game could sail past the total.
- Paige Bueckers Over 20.5 Points – Bueckers is coming off a 44-point masterpiece and should get plenty of shots to clear this mark, especially if Ogunbowale is limited.
Final Score Prediction
Seattle Storm 94 – Dallas Wings 86
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