Connecticut Sun vs Minnesota Lynx WNBA Game Picks 8/9/2019
Friday, August 9, 2019
Target Center
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Sylvia Fowles and the Minnesota Lynx (11-11, 5th in the Western Conference) host the Connecticut Sun (16-6, 1st in the Eastern Conference) at Target Center on Friday, August 9, 2019.
The Sun have been less than ideal for basketball wagerers, having gone 10-12 ATS. Minnesota is covering the spread 57.1% of the time, going 12-9 against the spread.
Valuable Connecticut Sun Betting Trends
The Sun have been an excellent Under bet for O/U wagerers, having gone 9-13.
The Sun cover the spread 30.0% of the time as the visitor, having gone 3-7 ATS.
Important Minnesota Lynx Betting Trends
Minnesota is covering the spread 45.5% of the time at Target Center, going 5-6 against the spread.
The Lynx have been a hot and cold Over bet for O/U wagerers, having gone 10-12.
Key Connecticut Sun Injuries
06/26/19 G Layshia Clarendon Ankle is out 3-4 months
Key Minnesota Lynx Injuries
06/29/19 G Karima Christmas-Kelly Knee is out for season
06/13/19 F Kelsey Griffin Toe is out for season
06/10/19 F Jessica Shepard Knee is out for season
02/07/19 F Maya Moore Personal is out for season
Player Spotlight
Jasmine Thomas comes into this game averaging 11.7 points per contest while being on the court 29.5 minutes per night so far this year for the Sun. She grabs 3.1 rebounds per contest and hands out 5.5 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 41% while her free throw percentage is currently at 81%. Jonquel Jones averages 15.8 points per game in 30.0 minutes per contest this season. She averages 1.5 assists per contest and 10.4 rebounds per game for Connecticut. Her field goal percentage is 45% for the year while her free throw percentage is 78%.
Player Spotlight
Sylvia Fowles averages 14.5 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per contest this year for the Lynx. She grabs 9.6 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 59% and her free throw percentage currently is at 70%. Odyssey Sims averages 14.2 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 32.0 minutes per contest. She also averages 3.4 rebounds per contest and 5.2 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 38% and her free throw percentage is 83%.
Related: Get WNBA predictions on all of today's games
Useful Team Statistics
Connecticut averages 79.5 points per game this season, which ranks them 4th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 4.6 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 2nd in the WNBA. They average 37.4 rebounds per contest and 19.2 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 13.0 per game. The Sun allow 74.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the arc, ranking them 8th and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.5 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd and they give up 18.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league.
Useful Team Statistics
Minnesota is 8th in the league with 76.2 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is 1.2. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the WNBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 35.0 boards per game, and 4th in assists per contest with 19.5. The Lynx are 1st in turnovers per game with 15.3. The Lynx surrender 75.0 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 43% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 17.3 assists allowed per contest and 1st with 31.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lynx are 12th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per game this season.
Advanced Statistics
The Sun are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 96, and their offensive rating of 101.9 is ranked 11th. They are 4th in the WNBA in pace with 78 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 6th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 8th in the WNBA. Connecticut is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 47%, which is 5th in the WNBA.
Advanced Statistics
Minnesota is 1st in the WNBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 47%, which is 4th in the league. The Lynx are 8th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 98.4, and their defensive rating of 96.8 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 77.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 4th. As a team they are 5th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.
Who will win tonight's WNBA game against the spread?
Josh's Pick: Take Connecticut
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