Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks WNBA Game Picks 8/20/2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Staples Center
Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.
Chelsea Gray and the Los Angeles Sparks (15-10, 2nd in the Western Conference) host the Minnesota Lynx (13-14, 5th in the Western Conference) at Staples Center on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.
The Lynx have been a decent bet for basketball bettors, having gone 14-12 ATS. The Sparks cover the spread 50.0% of the time, going 12-12 against the spread.
Valuable Minnesota Lynx Betting Trends
The Lynx have been a dicey Under option for O/U basketball wagerers, having gone 14-13.
The Lynx cover the spread 42.9% of the time on the road, having gone 6-8 ATS.
Important Los Angeles Sparks Betting Trends
Los Angeles is covering 38.5% of the time at Staples Center, going 5-8 against the spread.
The Sparks have been a rough Under option for O/U basketball wagerers, having gone 14-11.
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
07/16/19 G Riquna Williams Suspension is out 10 games
Player Spotlight
Odyssey Sims comes into this game averaging 14.9 points per contest while being on the court 31.9 minutes per night so far this year for the Lynx. She grabs 3.4 rebounds per contest and hands out 5.4 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 41% while her free throw percentage is currently at 82%. Sylvia Fowles averages 13.8 points per game in 29.9 minutes per contest this season. She averages 1.5 assists per contest and 9.1 rebounds per game for Minnesota. Her field goal percentage is 59% for the year while her free throw percentage is 72%.
Player Spotlight
Chelsea Gray averages 14.4 points per game while playing 32.5 minutes per contest this year for the Sparks. She grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 5.8 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 41% and her free throw percentage currently is at 93%. Nneka Ogwumike averages 17.0 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 29.7 minutes per contest. She also averages 9.4 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 50% and her free throw percentage is 82%.
Related: Get WNBA predictions on all of today's games
Useful Team Statistics
Minnesota averages 77.2 points per game this season, which ranks them 6th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.3 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 WNBA. They average 34.0 rebounds per contest and 20.0 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 15.7 per game. The Lynx allow 75.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 9th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.6 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 17.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 15.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.
Useful Team Statistics
Los Angeles is 4th in the league with 78.8 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 0.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 3rd in the WNBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 34.2 boards per game, and 7th in assists per contest with 18.4. The Sparks are 6th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Sparks surrender 78.1 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 41% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 16.9 assists allowed per contest and 11th with 37.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Sparks are 10th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 15.4 per game this season.
Advanced Statistics
The Lynx are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 97.8, and their offensive rating of 99.6 is ranked 10th. They are 6th in the WNBA in pace with 77.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% 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 17.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 48%, which is 4th in the WNBA.
Advanced Statistics
Los Angeles is 7th in the WNBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 46%, which is 10th in the league. The Sparks are 7th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 100.1, and their defensive rating of 99.1 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 78.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 47% is 4th. As a team they are 6th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league.
Who will win tonight's WNBA game against the spread?
Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota
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