Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury WNBA Picks & Predictions 7/21/2018

Saturday, July 21, 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 Saturday, July 21, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Phoenix as 1.5 point favorites.

The Lynx head into this matchup with a mark of 13-10. They are 6th in the Western Conference. They have a point differential of 2.3 as they average 79.1 points per contest while giving up 76.8 per game. The Mercury have an overall mark of 15-9. They are 3rd in the Western Conference. They total 83.6 points per contest and give up 80.7, which is a point differential of 2.9.

Valuable Minnesota Lynx Betting Trends

The Minnesota Lynx are 8-14-1 against the spread

The Minnesota Lynx are 8-15 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Mercury Betting Trends

The Phoenix Mercury are 15-9 against the spread

The Phoenix Mercury are 12-12 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Lynx Injuries

07/18/18 G Lindsay Whalen Nose left last game, is "?" Saturday vs Phoenix Mercury

Key Phoenix Mercury Injuries

07/03/18 F Sancho Lyttle ACL is out for season

Player Spotlight

Sylvia Fowles comes into this contest averaging 17.3 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Lynx. She pulls down 12.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 60% while her free throw percentage is currently at 77%. Maya Moore averages 17.7 points per game in 32.2 minutes per contest this season. She averages 2.6 assists per contest and 5.0 rebounds per game for Minnesota. Her field goal percentage is 41% for the year while her free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Brittney Griner averages 20.7 points per game while playing 32.9 minutes per contest this year for the Mercury. She grabs 7.3 rebounds per game and has 1.8 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 55% and her free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Diana Taurasi averages 20.0 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 30.2 minutes per contest. She also averages 3.3 rebounds per contest and 4.8 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 45% and her free throw percentage is 94%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 79.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.3 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 35.9 rebounds per game and 19.8 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 3rd with 13.7 per game. The Lynx allow 76.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.2 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 17.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 12.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 5th in the league with 83.6 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 2.9. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 1st in the WNBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 31.6 boards per game, and 2nd in assists per contest with 20.6. The Mercury are 5th in turnovers per game with 13.4. The Mercury surrender 80.7 points per contest, which ranks them 5th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 42% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 3rd and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 16.6 assists allowed per contest and 8th with 34.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mercury are 7th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 13.0 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Lynx are 7th in the league in defensive rating with 99.7, and their offensive rating of 102.8 is ranked 12th. They are 9th in the WNBA in pace with 77 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 7th. As a unit they are 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 23% of their shot attempts, ranking 11th in the WNBA. Minnesota is 2nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.0 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 8th in the WNBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 3rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 47%, which is 10th in the WNBA. The Mercury are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 104.1, and their offensive rating of 107.8 is ranked 6th. They are 7th in the WNBA in pace with 77.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the WNBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota -1.5

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