Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx Prediction: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Storm Road Favorites vs. Lynx

Those who watched Minnesota defeat the Storm in their season opener Tuesday in Seattle may be surprised to see the Storm favored on the road against a team that just beat them by 13 points. But Seattle opened as a 2.5-point road favorite for Thursday’s rematch with the Lynx.

Expectations coming into the 2024 WNBA season were high for Seattle despite finishing with a dreadful 11-29 record last year because of their offseason moves. Those moves are likely why they were 7.5-point favorites Tuesday night.

Minnesota’s moves were not as flashy, but the Lynx said goodbye to several players and added more talent and depth, especially at guard. The improvement was evident in their season-opening win over the Storm. But the question is whether they can do it again at home.

Let’s review the betting odds for the game, and we’ll share our pick for Storm vs. Lynx.

Storm vs. Lynx Betting Odds for Thursday, May 16

After losing Sue Bird (retirement) and Breanna Stewart (New York) following the 2022 season, expectations were low for the Storm in 2023—and they didn’t surprise anyone. Sure enough, the team finished with the second-worst record in the league (11-29).

However, they were more competitive than expected and finished the year above .500 ATS (19-18-3). 

Minnesota didn’t exactly blow the competition out of the water, finishing the year with a sub.-500 regular season record (19-21). Like the Storm, they fared a little better ATS going 21-19. While they did qualify for the postseason, they got bounced in the first round, losing to Connecticut 1-2.

Here is the betting line for Storm vs. Lynx with odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, where you can get $150 in bonus bets when wagering $5:

Storm vs. Lynx Prediction

Seattle Storm Preview

After finishing 2023 with one of the worst records in franchise history, the writing appeared to be on the wall: it was time for a rebuild. One could say that it was time after Sue Bird retired and Breanna Stewart moved on, but it was evident in the wake of the 2023 season that it was time.

But the Seattle front office had a different idea. The Storm added two of the most decorated players in WNBA history, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike. Along with 2023 scoring champ Jewell Loyd, the Storm have their own version of a Big Three.

Those additions were ESPN ranked Seattle No. 4 in their preseason power rankings. So— what happened in the season opener, an 83-70 loss at home to the Lynx?

Short answer? Yes, the roster is talented, but it’s a relatively new team, and even the best players need time to gel. A short preseason will not do the trick, and it showed. Nneka Ogwumike had a decent night with 20 points, but Skylar Diggins-Smith and Jewell Loyd chipped in ten each.

Bet on Seattle Storm at FanDuel

Minnesota Lynx Preview

The Lynx was good enough to make the postseason last year but not good enough to compete, hence losing in the first round. Something needed to change for the team to take its game to the next level.

To that end, Minnesota added Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith to the starting five with Napheesa Collier, Kayla Mcbride, and 2023 No. 2 draft pick Diamond Miller. In their season opener against the Storm, Smith led the way with 22 points, Collier with 20, and Williams with 14.

It’s too early to dub them contenders, but after one game, they appear to be gelling faster than Seattle’s revamped roster. If they can turn in the kind of performance they had in the opener on the road, it will be interesting to see what they can do at home. 

Bet on Minnesota Lynx at FanDuel

Storm vs. Lynx Betting Pick

On paper, Seattle may have the better team, but until the starting five gels and starts living up to their hype, the team will struggle. Minnesota’s rebuilt team appears to be a step or two ahead of the Storm and will likely be even better playing in front of a home crowd. 

Seattle lost to the Lynx in last year’s season opener, 104-93. They’ll probably rebound and play a much better game tonight, and it will be a close game. But the Lynx will also walk away with a win in this game.

• My Pick: Minnesota Lynx ML (+112) at FanDuel Sportsbook

How to Watch Storm vs. Lynx

• Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

• Game Time & Date: 9:30 pm ET, Friday, May 17, 2024

• TV Network: ION

• Streaming: Fubo