Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks Predictions, WNBA Picks, Betting Tips 8/19/2020

Game: Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks

Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Location: IMG Academy

TV: FSAZ

Candace Parker and the Los Angeles Sparks (7-3, 3rd in the Western Conference) host the Phoenix Mercury (6-5, 5th in the Western Conference) at IMG Academy on Wednesday.

Brittney Griner comes into this contest averaging 18.1 points per game while playing 31.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Mercury. She pulls down 7.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 51% while her free throw percentage is currently at 80%. Diana Taurasi averages 16.5 points per game in 27.9 minutes per contest this season. She averages 5.8 assists per contest and 4.1 rebounds per game for Phoenix. Her field goal percentage is 42% for the year while her free throw percentage is 94%.

Candace Parker averages 12.7 points per game while playing 27.1 minutes per contest this year for the Sparks. She grabs 9.2 rebounds per game and has 3.7 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 45% and her free throw percentage currently is at 64%. Chelsea Gray averages 11.7 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 27.3 minutes per contest. She also averages 2.3 rebounds per contest and 5.1 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 40% and her free throw percentage is 100%.

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Phoenix averages 87.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.0 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 32.5 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 6th with 14.5 per game. The Mercury allow 85.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.9 rebounds a game which ranks 9th and they give up 18.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 6th in the league.

Los Angeles is 4th in the league with 86.2 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 7.3. They shoot 42% from 3-point range, which is good for 2nd in the WNBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 30.3 boards per game, and 4th in assists per contest with 20.0. The Sparks are 5th in turnovers per game with 14.6. The Sparks surrender 78.9 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 18.4 assists allowed per contest and 6th with 34.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Sparks are 12th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 18.6 per game this season.

The Mercury are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 105.3, and their offensive rating of 107.7 is ranked 5th. They are 1st in the WNBA in pace with 81.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 4th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the WNBA. Phoenix is 7th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 6th in the WNBA.

Los Angeles is 5th in the WNBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 20.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 8th in the league. The Sparks are 5th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 106.1, and their defensive rating of 97.1 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 81.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 3rd. As a team they are 3rd in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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