Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks Expert WNBA Picks Against the Spread 8/8/2019
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Staples Center
Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.
Staples Center is the venue where Chelsea Gray and the Los Angeles Sparks (13-8, 2nd in the Western Conference) will take on the Phoenix Mercury (11-10, 3rd in the Western Conference) on Thursday.
The Mercury have been a solid choice for wagerers, having gone 11-9 ATS. Los Angeles is covering the spread 55.0% of the time, going 11-9 against the spread.
Valuable Phoenix Mercury Betting Trends
The Mercury have been a strong Under play for over/under WNBA bettors, having gone 8-13.
The Mercury cover the spread 54.5% of the time as the road team, having gone 6-5 ATS.
Important Los Angeles Sparks Betting Trends
The Sparks cover the spread 45.5% of the time at Staples Center, going 5-6 against the spread.
The Sparks have been a good Under play for over/under WNBA bettors, having gone 10-11.
Key Phoenix Mercury Injuries
08/05/19 G Briann January Foot is questionable Thursday vs LA Sparks
08/05/19 G Diana Taurasi Back is doubtful Thursday vs LA Sparks
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
Key Los Angeles Sparks Injuries
08/07/19 F Chiney Ogwumike Jaw is upgraded to probable Thursday vs Phoenix Mercury
08/05/19 G Alana Beard Hamstring is questionable Thursday vs Phoenix Mercury
07/21/19 G Karlie Samuelson Knee is out indefinitely
07/16/19 G Riquna Williams Suspension is OUT 10 games
Player Spotlight
DeWanna Bonner comes into this contest averaging 18.7 points per game while playing 34.0 minutes per night so far this season for the Mercury. She pulls down 7.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.9 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 39% while her free throw percentage is currently at 93%. Brittney Griner averages 19.3 points per game in 33.3 minutes per contest this season. She averages 2.4 assists per contest and 7.2 rebounds per game for Phoenix. Her field goal percentage is 54% for the year while her free throw percentage is 83%.
Player Spotlight
Chelsea Gray averages 13.2 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per contest this year for the Sparks. She grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 5.9 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 40% and her free throw percentage currently is at 93%. Nneka Ogwumike averages 16.6 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 30.1 minutes per contest. She also averages 9.6 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 48% and her free throw percentage is 83%.
Related: Get WNBA tips & picks on all of today's games
Useful Team Statistics
Phoenix averages 75.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.0 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 31.7 rebounds per game and 18.0 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 8th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 11th with 11.5 per game. The Mercury allow 74.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 37.2 rebounds a game which ranks 10th and they give up 17.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 3rd place in the league. They force 12.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the league.
Useful Team Statistics
Los Angeles is 5th in the league with 78.3 points per game this year. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 1.0. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 4th in the WNBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 35.1 boards per game, and 7th in assists per contest with 18.3. The Sparks are 7th in turnovers per game with 13.4. The Sparks surrender 77.2 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 41% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 3rd and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 17.3 assists allowed per contest and 11th with 37.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Sparks are 10th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per game this season.
Advanced Statistics
The Mercury are 3rd in the WNBA in offensive rating with 101.2, and their defensive rating of 99.8 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 74.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 3rd. As a team they are 3rd in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 3rd in the league. Phoenix is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.0 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 46%, which is 8th in the league.
Advanced Statistics
Los Angeles is 8th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 46%, which is 10th in the WNBA. The Sparks are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 98.5, and their offensive rating of 99.8 is ranked 8th. They are 5th in the WNBA in pace with 78 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 7th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 51% 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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