Connecticut Sun at Phoenix Mercury WNBA Picks & Predictions 6/16/2018

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.

The Connecticut Sun travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to take on the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, June 16, 2018. The opening line for this game has Phoenix as 1 point favorites.

The Sun have a record of 7-2. They are 1st in the Eastern Conference. They have a point differential of 13.6 as they average 92.4 points per game while giving up 78.9 per contest. The Mercury have an overall mark of 8-3. They are 3rd in the Western Conference. They total 82.3 points per contest and give up 79.7, which is a point differential of 2.5.

Valuable Connecticut Sun Betting Trends

The Connecticut Sun are 3-2 against the spread

The Connecticut Sun are 0-0 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Mercury Betting Trends

The Phoenix Mercury are 2-3 against the spread

The Phoenix Mercury are 5-1 against the over/under

Key Connecticut Sun Injuries

06/14/18 F Alyssa Thomas Shoulder left last game, is doubtful Friday vs Seattle Storm

Key Phoenix Mercury Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Chiney Ogwumike comes into this game averaging 13.7 points per contest while being on the court 27.8 minutes per night so far this year for the Sun. She grabs 8.2 rebounds per contest and hands out 0.8 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 59% while her free throw percentage is currently at 74%. Jasmine Thomas averages 13.9 points per game in 26.8 minutes per contest this season. She averages 5.1 assists per contest and 2.3 rebounds per game for Connecticut. Her field goal percentage is 41% for the year while her free throw percentage is 79%.

Player Spotlight

Diana Taurasi averages 19.5 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per contest this year for the Mercury. She grabs 2.6 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 42% and her free throw percentage currently is at 97%. Brittney Griner averages 20.8 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 33.6 minutes per contest. She also averages 7.3 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 58% and her free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Connecticut averages 92.4 points per game this season, which ranks them 1st in the league. Their average scoring margin is 13.6 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 4th in the WNBA. They average 39.1 rebounds per contest and 20.4 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 13.0 per game. The Sun allow 78.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 10th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.7 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 15.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 1st place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 5th in the league with 82.3 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 2.5. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 6th in the WNBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 30.7 boards per game, and 1st in assists per contest with 20.6. The Mercury are 11th in turnovers per game with 12.3. The Mercury surrender 79.7 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 42% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 15.7 assists allowed per contest and 7th with 34.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mercury are 7th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Sun are 1st in the WNBA in offensive rating with 113.6, and their defensive rating of 97 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 81.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 2nd. As a team they are 4th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league. Connecticut is 12th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.0 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 46%, which is 10th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 8th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 47%, which is 9th in the WNBA. The Mercury are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 104.2, and their offensive rating of 107.5 is ranked 7th. They are 10th in the WNBA in pace with 76.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 3rd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the WNBA.

Who will win tonight's WNBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Connecticut -1

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