Los Angeles Sparks vs Phoenix Mercury Predictions, WNBA Picks, Betting Tips 7/25/2020

Los Angeles Sparks vs Phoenix Mercury

IMG Academy

Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.

Chelsea Gray and the Los Angeles Sparks (22-12, 1st in the Western Conference last season) travel to IMG Academy on Saturday where they'll take on the Phoenix Mercury (15-19, 5th in the Western Conference last year). Phoenix opens this matchup as 4.5 point dogs. 

The Sparks were a good bet for WNBA wagerers last year, having gone 18-19 ATS. The Mercury covered the spread 47.1% of the time, going 16-18 against the spread. The Sparks were a good bet for WNBA wagerers as favorites, going 13-13 ATS. Phoenix went 8-11 against the spread as an underdog, so they covered the spread 42.1% of the time.

Valuable Los Angeles Sparks Betting Trends

The Sparks were a pretty good Over bet for over/under WNBA bettors, having gone 19-19.

Los Angeles covered the spread 27.8% of the time last year as the away team, having gone 5-13 ATS.

Important Phoenix Mercury Betting Trends

The Mercury covered the spread 41.2% of the time last year at IMG Academy, going 7-10 against the spread.

The Mercury were a pretty good Over bet for over/under WNBA bettors, having gone 16-19.

Related: Gambling 101 Docs Sports - Basketball Handicapping Tips

Player Spotlight

Chelsea Gray comes into this game after averaging 14.5 points per contest while being on the court 32.6 minutes per night last year for the Sparks. She grabbed 3.8 rebounds per contest and handed out 5.9 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage was 42% while her free throw percentage was at 92%. Nneka Ogwumike averaged 16.1 points per game in 27.9 minutes per contest last season. She averaged 1.8 assists per contest and 8.8 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. Her field goal percentage was 51% for the year while her free throw percentage was 83%.

Player Spotlight

Brianna Turner averaged 4.0 points per game while playing 15.9 minutes per contest last year for the Mercury. She grabbed 4.1 rebounds per game and had 0.5 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage was 54% and her free throw percentage was at 73%. Brittney Griner averaged 20.7 points per game last season and she saw the court an average of 32.8 minutes per contest. She also averaged 7.2 rebounds per contest and 2.4 assists per game. Her field goal percentage was 56% and her free throw percentage was 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

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

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix was 9th in the league with 76.5 points per game last year. They were 6th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin was -1.1. They shot 33% from 3-point range, which was good for 11th in the WNBA. They were 11th in the league in rebounding with 32.5 boards per game, and 8th in assists per contest with 17.9. The Mercury were 11th in turnovers per game with 12.3. The Mercury surrendered 77.6 points per contest, which ranked them 6th in the WNBA. Their defense allowed a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 3rd with 18.1 assists allowed per contest and 11th with 37.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mercury were 1st in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 12.1 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Sparks were 4th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 101.6, and their defensive rating of 98 ranked 10th. In terms of pace they were 5th in the league with 78.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% was 4th. As a team they were 5th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league. Los Angeles was 7th in turnovers, as they turned 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 was 46%, which was 11th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix was 9th in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 47%, which was 8th in the WNBA. The Mercury were 8th in the league in defensive rating with 101.9, and their offensive rating of 100.5 was ranked 4th. They were 10th in the WNBA in pace with 75.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% was 6th. As a unit they were 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the WNBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles +4.5

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