Tag: wnba prediction

Chicago Sky 2025 WNBA Season Preview: Why the Over 19.5 Wins Bet Is a Slam Dunk – By ASA

The Chicago Sky are poised for a breakout 2025 WNBA season, and the betting line of Over 19.5 wins is looking like a play for savvy sports bettors. Coming off a 13-win campaign in 2024, the Sky have bolstered their roster with key veteran additions and are banking on significant growth from their young stars. With a foundation as the league’s second-best rebounding team last season and a revamped lineup featuring newcomers Kia Nurse, Courtney Vandersloot, and Rebecca Allen, Chicago is ready to soar past expectations. Here’s why the Sky are a safe bet to eclipse 19.5 wins in 2025.

Last Season’s Foundation: Rebounding Dominance and Room for Growth

In 2024, the Chicago Sky finished with a 13-27 record, but their underlying stats paint a picture of a team with untapped potential. Most notably, the Sky were the second-best rebounding team in the WNBA, trailing only the New York Liberty. They averaged 36.8 rebounds per game, including a league-leading 10.8 offensive rebounds per game. This dominance on the glass translated to second-chance points and control of the game’s tempo, a formula that often leads to wins when paired with improved offensive efficiency.

The Sky’s rebounding prowess was driven by rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, who emerged as a formidable frontcourt duo despite their inexperience. Reese, the No. 7 overall pick, averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, earning WNBA All-Star honors and setting a league record for consecutive double-doubles. Cardoso, the No. 3 pick, battled injuries but still contributed 9.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in limited minutes. Both players showed flashes of brilliance but were held back by typical rookie inefficiencies, such as turnovers and inconsistent shooting (Reese shot 39.1% from the field, Cardoso 45.5%).

The Sky’s offense, however, was a weak point in 2024, ranking 10th in offensive rating (96.7) and struggling with perimeter shooting (31.9% from three, 11th in the league). Their defense was middle-of-the-pack, allowing 103.2 points per 100 possessions (7th). These areas of improvement are exactly where the Sky’s new additions and second-year growth come into play.

New Faces, New Strengths: Nurse, Vandersloot, and Allen

The Sky’s front office made strategic moves to address their weaknesses, adding three proven veterans to complement their young core. The projected 2025 roster includes Kia Nurse, Courtney Vandersloot, and Rebecca Allen, each bringing skills that directly address Chicago’s 2024 shortcomings.

Kia Nurse: A sharpshooting guard, Nurse is a career 34.8% three-point shooter who averaged 9.6 points per game with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024. Her ability to stretch the floor will open up driving lanes for Reese and Cardoso, forcing defenses to respect the perimeter. Nurse’s veteran presence also adds stability to a backcourt that lacked consistent scoring last season.

Courtney Vandersloot: A Chicago Sky legend returns after a stint with the New York Liberty. Vandersloot, one of the WNBA’s premier point guards, averaged 6.4 points and 7.2 assists per game in 2024, with a career assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.8. Her playmaking will elevate the Sky’s offense, reducing the pressure on Reese and Cardoso to create their own shots. Vandersloot’s experience in high-pressure situations and familiarity with the Chicago fanbase make her a perfect fit.

Rebecca Allen: A defensive stalwart and versatile wing, Allen averaged 7.8 points and 3.8 rebounds with the Phoenix Mercury in 2024, shooting 34.7% from three. Her ability to guard multiple positions and knock down open shots adds flexibility to the Sky’s lineup. Allen’s defensive tenacity will help improve Chicago’s middling defensive rating, while her shooting complements Nurse’s outside threat.

These additions transform the Sky into a well-rounded team with improved spacing, playmaking, and defensive versatility—key ingredients for a significant win-total jump.

Second-Year Surge: Reese and Cardoso Ready to Shine

The Sky’s rebounding dominance in 2024 was driven by rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, and their second-year improvements could be the catalyst for a playoff push. Young players typically make their biggest leaps between their first and second seasons, and both Reese and Cardoso have the tools to become All-WNBA-caliber talents.

Angel Reese: Already a rebounding machine, Reese’s 13.1 rebounds per game ranked second in the WNBA in 2024. Her relentless motor and knack for offensive rebounds (5.1 per game, league-leading) gave the Sky extra possessions, but her offensive game has room to grow. Improving her field-goal percentage (39.1%) and developing a midrange jumper could push her scoring closer to 16-18 points per game. With Vandersloot feeding her easy looks, Reese’s efficiency should climb, making her an even bigger threat.

Kamilla Cardoso: Limited by injuries in 2024, Cardoso still showed why she was a top draft pick. Her 7.9 rebounds per game and 1.4 blocks in just 26.2 minutes highlight her potential as a two-way force. Cardoso’s 45.5% field-goal percentage is solid, but refining her post moves and staying healthy could see her average a double-double in 2025. Her rim protection will also benefit from Allen’s perimeter defense, creating a stingier Sky defense.

Why Over 19.5 Wins Is the Play

The Sky’s 13 wins in 2024 were weighed down by a rookie-heavy roster, offensive inefficiencies, and injuries. With Nurse, Vandersloot, and Allen addressing key weaknesses and Reese and Cardoso poised for second-year leaps, Chicago is built to contend for a playoff spot in 2025. The Sky’s rebounding advantage—already elite at 36.8 rebounds per game—will be amplified by better floor spacing and playmaking, leading to more possessions and higher-scoring outputs.

A conservative estimate for the Sky’s improvement would add 5-7 wins from roster upgrades, 3-4 wins from Reese and Cardoso’s development, and 1-3 wins from better health, chemistry and a new coach. That puts them in the 21-24 win range. Let’s not forget the WNBA schedule is longer this season at 44-games instead of 40. This Sky roster has the talent to achieve a .500 record or better.

Final Prediction

The Chicago Sky are flying under the radar, but their mix of veteran savvy, young talent, and rebounding dominance makes them a dangerous team in 2025. Bet the Over 19.5 and you can even consider a -123 bet to make the Playoffs.