Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury WNBA Picks & Predictions 9/6/2019

Friday, September 6, 2019

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.

Sylvia Fowles and the Minnesota Lynx (17-15, 4th in the Western Conference) are headed to Talking Stick Resort Arena on Friday where they'll take on the Phoenix Mercury (15-17, 5th in the Western Conference).

The Lynx have been a solid choice for WNBA wagerers, having gone 17-15 ATS. Phoenix covers the spread 51.6% of the time, going 16-15 against the spread.

Valuable Minnesota Lynx Betting Trends

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

Minnesota covers the spread 40.0% of the time on the road, having gone 6-9 ATS.

Important Phoenix Mercury Betting Trends

Phoenix covers the spread 56.3% of the time at Talking Stick Resort Arena, going 9-7 against the spread.

The Mercury have been a decent Under choice for O/U basketball bettors, having gone 14-18.

Related: Jay Kornegay - Westgate Superbook Football Super Contest - Over 28 Million in Winnings Paid

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 Phoenix Mercury Injuries

08/24/19 FW Alanna Smith Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Sylvia Fowles comes into this contest averaging 13.8 points per game while playing 29.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Lynx. She pulls down 8.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.6 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 59% while her free throw percentage is currently at 71%. Odyssey Sims averages 14.3 points per game in 31.7 minutes per contest this season. She averages 5.3 assists per contest and 3.3 rebounds per game for Minnesota. Her field goal percentage is 41% for the year while her free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Brittney Griner averages 20.8 points per game while playing 33.2 minutes per contest this year for the Mercury. She grabs 7.3 rebounds per game and has 2.5 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 55% and her free throw percentage currently is at 81%. DeWanna Bonner averages 17.6 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 33.2 minutes per contest. She also averages 7.7 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 39% and her free throw percentage is 92%.

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

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 78.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.5 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 15.3 per game. The Lynx allow 76.1 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 10th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.3 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 17.5 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

Phoenix is 9th in the league with 76.3 points per game this year. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is -0.5. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the WNBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 32.8 boards per game, and 8th in assists per contest with 18.0. The Mercury are 11th in turnovers per game with 12.1. The Mercury surrender 76.8 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 17.9 assists allowed per contest and 11th with 37.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mercury are 2nd in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 12.0 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Lynx are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 97.8, and their offensive rating of 101 is ranked 10th. They are 6th in the WNBA in pace with 77.8 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 17.1 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

Phoenix is 9th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 46%, which is 9th in the WNBA. The Mercury are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 101.3, and their offensive rating of 100.6 is ranked 5th. They are 11th in the WNBA in pace with 75.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 7th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the WNBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Phoenix

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 Tony Sink