Chicago Sky vs Phoenix Mercury Predictions, WNBA Picks, Betting Tips 8/6/2020

Game: Chicago Sky vs Phoenix Mercury

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2020

Location: IMG Academy

TV: ESPN2

Bria Hartley and the Phoenix Mercury (3-2, 3rd in the Western Conference) play the Chicago Sky (4-1, 1st in the Eastern Conference) at IMG Academy on Thursday. 

Azura Stevens comes into this contest averaging 14.2 points per game while playing 28.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Sky. She pulls down 6.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.4 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 56% while her free throw percentage is currently at 100%. Kahleah Copper averages 14 points per game in 26.6 minutes per contest this season. She averages 1.6 assists per contest and 4.2 rebounds per game for Chicago. Her field goal percentage is 53% for the year while her free throw percentage is 50%.

Bria Hartley averages 18.2 points per game while playing 26 minutes per contest this year for the Mercury. She grabs 4 rebounds per game and has 4 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 43% and her free throw percentage currently is at 72%. Brittney Griner averages 16.6 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. She also averages 6.8 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 50% and her free throw percentage is 69%.

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Chicago averages 87 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.6 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shoot 39% which is good for 2nd in the league. They average 35.8 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 5th with 15.0 per game. The Sky allow 82.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.6 rebounds a game which ranks 6th and they give up 18.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the league.

Phoenix is 2nd in the league with 91.0 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 2.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 7th in the WNBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 34.2 boards per game, and 2nd in assists per contest with 22.0. The Mercury are 8th in turnovers per game with 14.2. The Mercury surrender 88.2 points per contest, which ranks them 9th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 6th with 17.6 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 33.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mercury are 8th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game this season.

The Sky are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 99.8, and their offensive rating of 105.4 is ranked 7th. They are 7th in the WNBA in pace with 82.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 1st. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the WNBA. Chicago is 4th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 48%, which is 10th in the WNBA.

Phoenix is 8th in the WNBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 7th in the league. The Mercury are 3rd in the WNBA in offensive rating with 108.9, and their defensive rating of 105.6 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 83.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 3rd. As a team they are 2nd in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Phoenix 

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