Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks Expert WNBA Picks Against the Spread 9/8/2019

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Staples Center

Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.

Staples Center is the site where Chiney Ogwumike and the Los Angeles Sparks (21-12, 1st in the Western Conference) will take on the Minnesota Lynx (18-15, 3rd in the Western Conference) on Sunday.

The Lynx have been a decent play for wagerers, having gone 17-14 ATS. Los Angeles is covering 50.0% of the time, going 16-16 against the spread.

Valuable Minnesota Lynx Betting Trends

The Lynx have been a decent Over play for O/U basketball bettors, having gone 17-15.

Minnesota is covering 40.0% of the time as the road team, having gone 6-9 ATS.

Important Los Angeles Sparks Betting Trends

The Sparks cover 31.3% of the time at Staples Center, going 5-11 against the spread.

The Sparks have been a decent Over play for O/U basketball bettors, having gone 18-15.

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Key Minnesota Lynx Injuries

08/11/19 F Kelsey Griffin Foot is out indefinitely
08/09/19 G Karima Christmas-Kelly Knee 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

Key Los Angeles Sparks Injuries

07/21/19 G Karlie Samuelson Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Sylvia Fowles comes into this contest averaging 13.7 points per game while playing 29.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Lynx. She pulls down 8.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.5 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 59% while her free throw percentage is currently at 72%. Odyssey Sims averages 14.6 points per game in 31.9 minutes per contest this season. She averages 5.5 assists per contest and 3.4 rebounds per game for Minnesota. Her field goal percentage is 42% for the year while her free throw percentage is 79%.

Player Spotlight

Chiney Ogwumike averages 9.6 points per game while playing 21.9 minutes per contest this year for the Sparks. She grabs 5.7 rebounds per game and has 0.8 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 49% and her free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Chelsea Gray averages 14.5 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 32.8 minutes per contest. She also averages 3.7 rebounds per contest and 5.9 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 41% and her free throw percentage is 92%.

Related: Get WNBA tips & picks on all of today's games

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 78.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.8 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 9th in the league. They average 33.8 rebounds per game and 20.3 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 15.2 per game. The Lynx allow 75.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 9th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.1 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 17.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 5th in the league with 80.2 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is 2.6. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 4th in the WNBA. They are 6th in the league in rebounding with 34.3 boards per game, and 7th in assists per contest with 18.5. The Sparks are 7th in turnovers per game with 13.5. The Sparks surrender 77.5 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 41% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 16.8 assists allowed per contest and 10th with 36.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Sparks are 11th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 15.0 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Lynx are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 97.5, and their offensive rating of 101.1 is ranked 11th. They are 6th in the WNBA in pace with 77.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the WNBA. Minnesota is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 48%, which is 3rd in the WNBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 7th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 46%, which is 10th in the WNBA. The Sparks are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 98.2, and their offensive rating of 101.6 is ranked 9th. They are 4th in the WNBA in pace with 78.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 4th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the WNBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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