Connecticut Sun vs Los Angeles Sparks Prediction, 9/17/2020 WNBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Connecticut Sun vs Los Angeles Sparks

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2020

Location: IMG Academy

TV: ESPN2

IMG Academy is the site where Candace Parker and the Los Angeles Sparks (15-7, 3rd in the Western Conference) will take on the Connecticut Sun (10-12, 2nd in the Eastern Conference) on Thursday in the 2nd round of the WNBA Playoffs.

The Sparks will be the more well rested unit as they had a 1st round bye. The Sun played on Tuesday night in the 1st round, beating the Chicago Sky by a score of 94-81. Alyssa Thomas had a big game for Connecticut, tallying 28 pts, 13 boards, and 8 assists. 

Thomas comes into this contest averaging 15.5 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Sun. She pulls down 9.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.8 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 50% while her free throw percentage is currently at 69%. Jasmine Thomas averages 10.2 points per game in 25.5 minutes per contest this season. She averages 4.0 assists per contest and 1.7 rebounds per game for Connecticut. Her field goal percentage is 40% for the year while her free throw percentage is 91%.

Candace Parker averages 14.7 points per game while playing 30.2 minutes per contest this year for the Sparks. She grabs 9.7 rebounds per game and has 4.6 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 51% and her free throw percentage currently is at 73%. Nneka Ogwumike averages 13.3 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 26.4 minutes per contest. She also averages 4.8 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 57% and her free throw percentage is 84%.

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Connecticut averages 80.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.5 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 31% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 35.5 rebounds per game and 18.3 assists per game, which ranks them 3rd and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 13.3 per game. The Sun allow 79.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.0 rebounds a game which ranks 5th and they give up 18.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Los Angeles is 5th in the league with 84.9 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 4.6. They shoot 40% from 3-point range, which is good for 1st in the WNBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 31.4 boards per game, and 5th in assists per contest with 20.0. The Sparks are 7th in turnovers per game with 13.9. The Sparks surrender 80.3 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 20.0 assists allowed per contest and 6th with 34.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Sparks are 12th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 17.0 per game this season.

The Sun are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 101.1, and their offensive rating of 101.7 is ranked 9th. They are 8th in the WNBA in pace with 78.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 11th. As a unit they are 11th in the league in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the WNBA. Connecticut is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 8th in the WNBA.

Los Angeles is 5th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 18.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 5th in the WNBA. The Sparks are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 100.2, and their offensive rating of 105.9 is ranked 10th. They are 7th in the WNBA in pace with 79.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 2nd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the WNBA.

So what is Tonights WNBA Playoff Prediction?

Tony's Pick: Take Connecticut

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