Los Angeles Sparks at Washington Mystics WNBA Playoffs Picks & Predictions 8/23/2018

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Charles E. Smith Center

Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.

Charles E. Smith Center is the site of the matchup between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Washington Mystics on Thursday, August 23, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Washington as 4.5 point favorites.

The Sparks head into this matchup with a mark of 19-15. They are 4th in the Western Conference. They have a point differential of 1.9 as they average 78.9 points per contest while giving up 77.0 per game. The Mytics head into this matchup with a mark of 21-12. They are 2nd in the Eastern Conference. They have a point differential of 3.1 as they average 82.0 points per contest while giving up 79.0 per game.

Valuable Los Angeles Sparks Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Sparks are 16-17-2 against the spread

The Los Angeles Sparks are 14-21 against the over/under

Important Washington Mystics Betting Trends

The Washington Mystics are 17-16 against the spread

The Washington Mystics are 15-18 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Sparks Injuries

08/22/18 F Candace Parker Illness is probable Thursday vs Wash Mystics
08/22/18 F Nneka Ogwumike Illness is probable Thursday vs Wash Mystics

Key Washington Mystics Injuries

05/19/18 C Emma Meesseman Personal is out for season

Player Spotlight

Chelsea Gray comes into this contest averaging 14.9 points per game while playing 32.7 minutes per night so far this season for the Sparks. She pulls down 3.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.1 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 48% while her free throw percentage is currently at 84%. Candace Parker averages 17.9 points per game in 30.6 minutes per contest this season. She averages 4.7 assists per contest and 8.2 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. Her field goal percentage is 47% for the year while her free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Elena Delle Donne averages 20.7 points per game while playing 32.2 minutes per contest this year for the Mytics. She grabs 7.2 rebounds per game and has 2.3 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 49% and her free throw percentage currently is at 89%. Kristi Toliver averages 13.9 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 32.9 minutes per contest. She also averages 2.3 rebounds per contest and 4.4 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 43% and her free throw percentage is 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 78.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.9 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 31.3 rebounds per game and 18.3 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 8th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 10.9 per game. The Sparks allow 77.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.1 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 18.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Washington is 6th in the league with 82.0 points per game this year. They are 7th 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 5th in the WNBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 31.6 boards per game, and 11th in assists per contest with 17.3. The Mytics are 11th in turnovers per game with 11.0. The Mytics surrender 79.0 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 18.4 assists allowed per contest and 4th with 33.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mytics are 8th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Sparks are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 101.8, and their offensive rating of 104.4 is ranked 10th. They are 12th in the WNBA in pace with 75.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 6th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the WNBA. Los Angeles is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 8th in the WNBA.

Advanced Statistics

Washington is 10th in the WNBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.0 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 7th in the league. The Mytics are 3rd in the WNBA in offensive rating with 110.7, and their defensive rating of 106.6 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 76.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 4th. As a team they are 3rd in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 3rd in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Washington -4.5

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