New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury Prediction, 9/5/2020 WNBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2020

Location: IMG Academy

TV: Fox Sports Go

Skylar Diggins-Smith and the Phoenix Mercury (11-7, 5th in the Western Conference) host the New York Liberty (2-15, 6th in the Eastern Conference) at IMG Academy on Saturday.

Kia Nurse comes into this contest averaging 11.7 points per game while playing 25.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Liberty. She pulls down 2.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 26% while her free throw percentage is currently at 87%. Amanda Zahui B. averages 9.6 points per game in 26.6 minutes per contest this season. She averages 1.8 assists per contest and 9.2 rebounds per game for New York. Her field goal percentage is 35% for the year while her free throw percentage is 71%.

Skylar Diggins-Smith averages 17.2 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per contest this year for the Mercury. She grabs 3.2 rebounds per game and has 4.4 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 48% and her free throw percentage currently is at 90%. Diana Taurasi averages 19.7 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 28.7 minutes per contest. She also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 5.0 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 43% and her free throw percentage is 90%.

Related: Get WNBA picks & tips on all of today's games

New York averages 72.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is -13.9 and their shooting percentage is 37% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 29% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 35.6 rebounds per game and 14.8 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 17.1 per game. The Liberty allow 86.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 37.2 rebounds a game which ranks 12th and they give up 17.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 12.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Phoenix is 2nd in the league with 87.9 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 3.4. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 4th in the WNBA. They are 10th in the league in rebounding with 33.4 boards per game, and 2nd in assists per contest with 21.4. The Mercury are 6th in turnovers per game with 14.2. The Mercury surrender 84.5 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 44% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 18.6 assists allowed per contest and 6th with 34.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mercury are 4th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 13.6 per game this season.

The Liberty are 12th in the league in defensive rating with 105.9, and their offensive rating of 88.9 is ranked 5th. They are 1st in the WNBA in pace with 81.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 43% is 12th. As a unit they are 12th in the league in true shooting percentage with 49% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the WNBA. New York is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 8th in the WNBA.

Phoenix is 7th in the WNBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 10th in the league. The Mercury are 1st in the WNBA in offensive rating with 108.8, and their defensive rating of 104.6 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 80.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 3rd. As a team they are 2nd in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 3rd in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Phoenix

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here