Los Angeles Sparks at Minnesota Lynx WNBA Picks & Predictions 7/5/2018

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Target Center

Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.

Target Center is the site of the matchup between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday, July 5, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 4 point favorites.

The Sparks head into this matchup with a mark of 12-6. They are 4th in the Western Conference. They have a point differential of 3.5 as they average 79.7 points per contest while giving up 76.2 per game. The Lynx have an overall mark of 10-7. They are 5th in the Western Conference. They total 81.1 points per contest and give up 78.0, which is a point differential of 3.1.

Valuable Los Angeles Sparks Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Sparks are 6-3-1 against the spread

The Los Angeles Sparks are 1-2 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Lynx Betting Trends

The Minnesota Lynx are 2-6 against the spread

The Minnesota Lynx are 1-2 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Sparks Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Minnesota Lynx Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Nneka Ogwumike comes into this contest averaging 15.9 points per game while playing 30.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Sparks. She pulls down 7.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 59% while her free throw percentage is currently at 81%. Chelsea Gray averages 15.1 points per game in 31.3 minutes per contest this season. She averages 5.5 assists per contest and 3.2 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. Her field goal percentage is 48% for the year while her free throw percentage is 79%.

Player Spotlight

Sylvia Fowles averages 17.8 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per contest this year for the Lynx. She grabs 12.3 rebounds per game and has 1.8 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 59% and her free throw percentage currently is at 79%. Maya Moore averages 20.4 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 33.3 minutes per contest. She also averages 5.5 rebounds per contest and 2.5 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 44% and her free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 79.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.5 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 3rd in the league. They average 30.2 rebounds per game and 19.0 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 8th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 11.6 per game. The Sparks allow 76.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 8th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.9 rebounds a game which ranks 7th and they give up 18.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 8th in the league with 81.1 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 3.1. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 4th in the WNBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 36.0 boards per game, and 6th in assists per contest with 19.4. The Lynx are 1st in turnovers per game with 14.4. The Lynx surrender 78.0 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 44% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 17.7 assists allowed per contest and 1st with 29.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lynx are 2nd in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 12.4 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Sparks are 5th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 105.4, and their defensive rating of 100.7 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 75.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 3rd. As a team they are 4th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 24% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league. Los Angeles is 12th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.0 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 7th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 1st in the WNBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 6th in the league. The Lynx are 7th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 103.5, and their defensive rating of 99.6 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 78.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 6th. As a team they are 5th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 22% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota -4

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