New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury Expert WNBA Picks Against the Spread 8/18/2019
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Talking Stick Resort Arena
Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.
DeWanna Bonner and the Phoenix Mercury (12-13, 5th in the Western Conference) host the New York Liberty (8-17, 5th in the Eastern Conference) at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Sunday, August 18, 2019.
The Liberty have been an awful play for WNBA wagerers, having gone 9-15 ATS. Phoenix is covering 50.0% of the time, going 12-12 against the spread.
Valuable New York Liberty Betting Trends
The Liberty have been a dicey Under option for O/U wagerers, having gone 13-11.
New York is covering 38.5% of the time on the road, having gone 5-8 ATS.
Important Phoenix Mercury Betting Trends
Phoenix is covering 50.0% of the time at Talking Stick Resort Arena, going 6-6 against the spread.
The Mercury have been a very good Under option for O/U wagerers, having gone 10-15.
Key New York Liberty Injuries
08/13/19 G Asia Durr Groin is out Friday vs Dallas Wings
08/13/19 C Amanda Zahui B Concussion is questionable Friday vs Dallas Wings
05/24/19 C Kiah Stokes Personal is out for season
Key Phoenix Mercury Injuries
08/13/19 C Brittney Griner Suspension is out next 3 games
08/11/19 G Diana Taurasi Hamstring is out indefinitely
08/05/19 FW Alanna Smith Undisclosed is out indefinitely
08/02/19 F Essence Carson Calf is out indefinitely
07/16/19 F Sancho Lyttle Knee is out indefinitely
Player Spotlight
Brittany Boyd comes into this contest averaging 5.7 points per game while playing 21.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Liberty. She pulls down 3.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.8 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 40% while her free throw percentage is currently at 73%. Tina Charles averages 17.3 points per game in 31.6 minutes per contest this season. She averages 2.1 assists per contest and 7.5 rebounds per game for New York. Her field goal percentage is 38% for the year while her free throw percentage is 79%.
Player Spotlight
DeWanna Bonner averages 18.3 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per contest this year for the Mercury. She grabs 7.6 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 38% and her free throw percentage currently is at 92%. Leilani Mitchell averages 13.3 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 30.9 minutes per contest. She also averages 3.3 rebounds per contest and 4.3 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 45% and her free throw percentage is 86%.
Related: Get WNBA tips & picks on all of today's games
Useful Team Statistics
New York averages 77.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.2 and their shooting percentage is 41% as a team, which has them ranked 9th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 10th in the league. They average 34.5 rebounds per game and 18.8 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 15.2 per game. The Liberty allow 84.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 12th and 9th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.1 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 19.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 12.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 4th in the league.
Useful Team Statistics
Phoenix is 9th in the league with 75.7 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 0.4. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 7th in the WNBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 32.4 boards per game, and 8th in assists per contest with 17.4. The Mercury are 11th in turnovers per game with 11.9. The Mercury surrender 75.2 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 17.1 assists allowed per contest and 10th with 36.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mercury are 2nd in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 12.4 per game this season.
Advanced Statistics
The Liberty are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 106, and their offensive rating of 96.9 is ranked 1st. They are 3rd in the WNBA in pace with 79.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 46% is 10th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 28% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the WNBA. New York is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.0 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 2nd in the WNBA.
Advanced Statistics
Phoenix is 10th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 47%, which is 7th in the WNBA. The Mercury are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 100.6, and their offensive rating of 101.2 is ranked 6th. They are 11th in the WNBA in pace with 74.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 5th. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the WNBA.
Who will win tonight's WNBA game against the spread?
Guy'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 Guy Bruhn
Get all of Today's Free WNBA Picks
Get all of Today's Expert WNBA Picks