» WNBA Picks » Sparks vs Sun WNBA Semifinals Game 1 Picks 9/17/2019

Sparks vs Sun WNBA Semifinals Game 1 Picks 9/17/2019

by Tony Sink - 9/16/2019

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Mohegan Sun Arena

Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.

Courtney Williams and the Connecticut Sun (23-11, 2nd in the Eastern Conference) play the Los Angeles Sparks (22-12, 1st in the Western Conference) at Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday in Game 1 of the WNBA Semifinals. The Sparks are coming off a 92-69 win over Seattle on Sunday. Chelsea Gray led Los Angeles with 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Sun had a bye so they should be well rested at home.

Valuable Los Angeles Sparks Betting Trends

The Sparks have been a less than ideal Under option for O/U wagerers, having gone 19-16.

Los Angeles is covering the spread 31.3% of the time as the away team, having gone 5-11 ATS.

Important Connecticut Sun Betting Trends

Connecticut is covering the spread 58.8% of the time at Mohegan Sun Arena, going 10-7 against the spread.

The Sun have been a less than ideal Under option for O/U wagerers, having gone 17-17.

Key Los Angeles Sparks Injuries

09/15/19 G Alana Beard Facial is questionable
07/21/19 G Karlie Samuelson Knee is out indefinitely

Key Connecticut Sun Injuries

06/26/19 G Layshia Clarendon Ankle is out 3-4 months

Player Spotlight

Chelsea Gray comes into this contest averaging 14.5 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Sparks. She pulls down 3.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.9 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 42% while her free throw percentage is currently at 92%. Nneka Ogwumike averages 16.1 points per game in 27.9 minutes per contest this season. She averages 1.8 assists per contest and 8.8 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. Her field goal percentage is 51% for the year while her free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Courtney Williams averages 13.2 points per game while playing 29.1 minutes per contest this year for the Sun. She grabs 5.6 rebounds per game and has 3.8 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 44% and her free throw percentage currently is at 80%. Jasmine Thomas averages 11.1 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 29.7 minutes per contest. She also averages 2.9 rebounds per contest and 5.1 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 39% and her free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 80.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 5th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.8 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 5th in the league. They average 34.2 rebounds per game and 18.6 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 7th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 13.5 per game. The Sparks allow 77.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 9th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 36.3 rebounds a game which ranks 10th and they give up 16.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 1st place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Connecticut is 4th in the league with 80.8 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 2.9. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 3rd in the WNBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 36.8 boards per game, and 6th in assists per contest with 19.2. The Sun are 8th in turnovers per game with 13.2. The Sun surrender 77.9 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 44% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 11th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 19.6 assists allowed per contest and 4th with 33.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Sun are 9th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Sparks are 4th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 101.6, and their defensive rating of 98 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 78.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 4th. As a team they are 5th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league. Los Angeles is 7th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 46%, which is 11th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Connecticut is 11th in the WNBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 3rd in the league. The Sun are 3rd in the WNBA in offensive rating with 102.4, and their defensive rating of 98.7 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 78.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 5th. As a team they are 8th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Connecticut

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