No. 6 Chicago Sky vs. No. 7 Connecticut Sun
Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky is one of the most complete teams coming to the 2020 season. At the start, they had an 11-roster team with only Jantel Lavender not coming to the wubble because of an injury. But down the stretch, the injury bug started to hit them. Stefanie Dolson and Cheyenne Parker had to miss some games. Eventually, they lost Azurá Stevens and Diamond DeShields with both of them leaving the wubble. Let’s take a look at the WNBA 2020 Playoffs Prediction: Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun Single-Round Elimination.
After beginning the season 10-4, the Sky dropped six of their final eight games in their regular-season finale Friday against the Dallas Wings to snap a four-game skid. Still, the Sky locked their second consecutive playoff berth with a 12-10 record.
Connecticut Sun
After acquiring DeWanna Bonner in the offseason, the Connecticut Sun were one of the most promising teams in the incoming season. Even though All-Star Jonquel Jones opted to not play this season, a Bonner-Thomas frontcourt is a deadly one. The backcourt duo of Jasmine Thomas and Briann January is also a combination of veterans that could lead the team. However, it was not as smooth sailing as they thought it would be, Sun started 0-5.
Even with the worst possible start to a 22-game season, the Sun had the veterans turn their team into a playoff contender. That eventually capped their season with a 10-12 record.
Players to watch
Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley
The best score-assist ratio in the WNBA, it is undeniable how this tandem is the one to lead the Sky in their postseason run. Recently both Allie Quigley and Vandersloot made history in their own category. Quigley became the leading scorer in the history of Chicago Sky, on the other hand, Vandersloot became the first-ever WNBA player averaging 10 assists in a season.
The way Vandersloot is running the Chicago offense; it would be hard to stop a scoring outburst that would be led by Quigley and Kahleah Copper.
DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas
The second-highest scoring duo averaging 35.2 a game, it surely is hard to stop such an offensive tandem. With Bonner’s versatility and her 6’4 length, having to match up with her both in the perimeter and the post would be a nightmare. Alyssa Thomas rebounding skill, especially in an offensive set, will be the key to Connecticut’s success. The way she gives her team second chance sets and put-backs has been her advantage in most post players.
Connecticut also has Brionna Jones, who is a candidate for the Most Improved Player. With Thomas anchoring the points in the paint, it is Brionna Jones who can easily ease the pressure from Thomas. A double team for Bonner or Thomas would take away Jones’ defender, hence giving her an opportunity to score with ease.
Prediction
The Sky and Sun split their 2020 meeting. Sky taking the first meeting, 100-93, then Sun winning the second at 77-74. Each team had their own ups and downs this season. No team in particular has had a strong streak that could give them an advantage for such a high stake game. However, in the last stretch of games, it has been the Sky who had a shakier run; losing four of their last five games. Hence, in this Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun match up, Sun might have a slight advantage in the matchup tonight.
Pick: Connecticut Sun
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