Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury WNBA Picks & Predictions 6/22/2018

Friday, June 22, 2018

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.

Talking Stick Resort Arena is the site of the matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and the Phoenix Mercury on Friday, June 22, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Phoenix as 2 point favorites.

The Lynx head into this matchup with a mark of 5-6. They are 6th in the Western Conference. They have a point differential of -0.3 as they average 79.5 points per contest while giving up 79.8 per game. The Mercury have an overall mark of 10-3. They are 3rd in the Western Conference. They total 83.5 points per contest and give up 79.2, which is a point differential of 4.4.

Valuable Minnesota Lynx Betting Trends

The Minnesota Lynx are 1-4 against the spread

The Minnesota Lynx are 0-2 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Mercury Betting Trends

The Phoenix Mercury are 3-3 against the spread

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

Key Minnesota Lynx Injuries

06/20/18 G Danielle Robinson Undisclosed injured last game, is probable Friday vs Phoenix Mercury
06/20/18 C Temi Fagbenle Quad is "?" Friday vs Phoenix Mercury

Key Phoenix Mercury Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Maya Moore comes into this contest averaging 18.1 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Lynx. She pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 41% while her free throw percentage is currently at 84%. Sylvia Fowles averages 18.0 points per game in 33.0 minutes per contest this season. She averages 1.6 assists per contest and 12.3 rebounds per game for Minnesota. Her field goal percentage is 60% for the year while her free throw percentage is 75%.

Player Spotlight

Diana Taurasi averages 20.2 points per game while playing 31.2 minutes per contest this year for the Mercury. She grabs 2.8 rebounds per game and has 4.5 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 42% and her free throw percentage currently is at 97%. Brittney Griner averages 20.4 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 33.4 minutes per contest. She also averages 7.3 rebounds per contest and 1.6 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 59% and her free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 79.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.3 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 35.9 rebounds per game and 18.0 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 7th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 14.9 per game. The Lynx allow 79.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 4th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 29.8 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 17.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 11.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 4th in the league with 83.5 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 4.4. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 5th in the WNBA. They are 10th in the league in rebounding with 31.4 boards per game, and 1st in assists per contest with 20.9. The Mercury are 11th in turnovers per game with 12.5. The Mercury surrender 79.2 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 3rd and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 15.6 assists allowed per contest and 9th with 35.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mercury are 8th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Lynx are 7th in the league in defensive rating with 102.2, and their offensive rating of 101.9 is ranked 8th. They are 5th in the WNBA in pace with 78.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 6th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 23% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the WNBA. Minnesota is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 3rd in the WNBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 6th in the WNBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 45%, which is 10th in the league. The Mercury are 4th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 108.4, and their defensive rating of 102.7 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 10th in the league with 77.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 2nd in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Phoenix -2

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald