Phoenix Mercury vs Washington Mystics Predictions, WNBA Picks, Betting Tips 8/23/2020

Game: Phoenix Mercury vs Washington Mystics

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2020

Location: IMG Academy

TV: NBC Sports Washington

Brianna Turner and the Phoenix Mercury (6-6, 5th in the Western Conference) go to IMG Academy on Sunday where they'll meet the Washington Mystics (4-7, 4th in the Eastern Conference).

Brianna Turner comes into this contest averaging 7.0 points per game while playing 22.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Mercury. She pulls down 6.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.2 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 62% while her free throw percentage is currently at 60%. Brittney Griner averages 17.7 points per game in 31.8 minutes per contest this season. She averages 3.0 assists per contest and 7.5 rebounds per game for Phoenix. Her field goal percentage is 50% for the year while her free throw percentage is 81%.

Leilani Mitchell averages 8.8 points per game while playing 29.0 minutes per contest this year for the Mystics. She grabs 2.5 rebounds per game and has 4.5 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 41% and her free throw percentage currently is at 77%. Ariel Atkins averages 14.0 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 29.5 minutes per contest. She also averages 2.6 rebounds per contest and 2.4 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 47% and her free throw percentage is 89%.

Related: Get WNBA predictions on all of today's games

Phoenix averages 86.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the WNBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 32.8 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 6th with 14.7 per game. The Mercury allow 85.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.8 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 18.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 4th in the league.

Washington is 8th in the league with 80.0 points per game this year. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -1.8. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 9th in the WNBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 33.1 boards per game, and 6th in assists per contest with 18.4. The Mystics are 8th in turnovers per game with 13.6. The Mystics surrender 81.8 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 17.6 assists allowed per contest and 10th with 35.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mystics are 8th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per game this season.

The Mercury are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 105.1, and their offensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 5th. They are 4th in the WNBA in pace with 81.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 4th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the WNBA. Phoenix is 6th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 8th in the WNBA.

Washington is 9th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 3rd in the WNBA. The Mystics are 9th in the league in defensive rating with 103.5, and their offensive rating of 101.2 is ranked 7th. They are 8th in the WNBA in pace with 79.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 9th. As a unit they are 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the WNBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Phoenix

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