Atlanta Dream vs Phoenix Mercury Predictions, WNBA Picks, Betting Tips 8/14/2020

Game: Atlanta Dream vs Phoenix Mercury

Date: Friday, August 14, 2020

Location: IMG Academy

TV: FSAZ

IMG Academy is the site where Bria Hartley and the Phoenix Mercury (5-4, 5th in the Western Conference) will play the Atlanta Dream (2-7, 5th in the Eastern Conference) on Friday.

Elizabeth Williams comes into this contest averaging 12.1 points per game while playing 29.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Dream. She pulls down 4.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.6 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 58% while her free throw percentage is currently at 77%. Monique Billings averages 7.9 points per game in 27.1 minutes per contest this season. She averages 1.2 assists per contest and 8.1 rebounds per game for Atlanta. Her field goal percentage is 36% for the year while her free throw percentage is 79%.

Bria Hartley averages 16.1 points per game while playing 25.3 minutes per contest this year for the Mercury. She grabs 3.1 rebounds per game and has 4.0 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 41% and her free throw percentage currently is at 72%. Skylar Diggins-Smith averages 15.6 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 29.9 minutes per contest. She also averages 3.2 rebounds per contest and 4.3 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 51% and her free throw percentage is 87%.

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Atlanta averages 80.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is -10.7 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 5th in the league. They average 32.4 rebounds per game and 15.4 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 3rd with 16.0 per game. The Dream allow 90.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 39% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 11th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.1 rebounds a game which ranks 10th and they give up 20.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Phoenix is 3rd in the league with 86.8 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 1.3. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 8th in the WNBA. They are 10th in the league in rebounding with 32.8 boards per game, and 3rd in assists per contest with 20.8. The Mercury are 5th in turnovers per game with 15.0. The Mercury surrender 85.4 points per contest, which ranks them 9th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 18.4 assists allowed per contest and 9th with 35.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mercury are 6th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per game this season.

The Dream are 11th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 98.9, and their defensive rating of 112 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 81.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 7th. As a team they are 8th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 28% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league. Atlanta is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 1st in the league.

Phoenix is 6th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 8th in the WNBA. The Mercury are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 104, and their offensive rating of 105.6 is ranked 5th. They are 3rd in the WNBA in pace with 82.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 4th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the WNBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Phoenix

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