Phoenix Mercury vs Washington Mystics Prediction, 5/18/2021 WNBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Phoenix Mercury vs Washington Mystics

Date: Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Location: Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Phoenix (+3)

Entertainment and Sports Arena is the site where and the Washington Mystics (9-13 last year) will take on the Phoenix Mercury (13-9 last season) on Tuesday. Phoenix opens this contest as 3 point underdogs. The O/U has been set at 165.5.

The Phoenix Mercury played the Minnesota Lynx and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 80-79 in their last contest of last season. Phoenix finished the contest with a 44.8% FG percentage (30 of 67) and converted 11 of their 30 shots from distance. When they shot from the charity stripe, the Mercury buried 8 of 10 attempts for a percentage of 80.0%. In the matter of getting rebounds, they collected a total of 34 with 5 of them being on the offensive end. They also recorded 23 assists for this game in addition to creating 12 turnovers and having 5 steals. Concerning defense, Phoenix allowed the other team to shoot 47.1% from the floor on 32 out of 68 shooting. Minnesota earned 5 dimes and had 8 steals in the game. On top of that, Minnesota totaled 29 rebounds (5 offensive, 24 defensive) and had 1 block. Minnesota finished the game shooting 81.8% from the charity stripe by knocking down 9 of their 11 attempts. They made 7 out of their 17 tries from long range.

Diana Taurasi is one player who played a role for the matchup. She totaled 28 points on 9 of 20 shooting. She was on the hardwood for 35:12 mins played and also grabbed 4 rebounds. Taurasi shot 45.0% from the field and also totaled 9 dimes. Another player that was a major contributor in the game for the Mercury was Brianna Turner. She grabbed 14 rebounds in 38:30 minutes played on the night. She finished the contest at 100.0% from the field in this matchup by shooting 6-of-6 (13 points). When the game finished, Turner tallied 3 assists.

Phoenix will enter this contest after finishing with a win-loss record of 13-9 last year. The Mercury connected on 34.3% on three-point shots (185 of 540) and 82.5% from the free throw line. They averaged 86.1 points per contest (4th in the WNBA) while shooting 45.0% from the field. They coughed up possession 14.0 times per contest and as a unit committed 19.7 personal fouls per game. As a unit, Phoenix snagged 34.0 boards per contest and totaled 448 dimes over the course of last season, which was 4th in the WNBA in terms of passing the ball. On defense, the Mercury were able to force 13.3 turnovers on a nightly basis and they drew 20.1 fouls. The Mercury defense allowed a field goal percentage of 42.5% (663 of 1,559) and they relinquished 36.0 rebounds per contest as a team. They were 3rd in basketball in giving up assists with 402 surrendered over the course of last season. They gave up 34.4% on 3-point shots and they ranked 8th in the WNBA in PPG from their opponents (84.1).

When they last stepped on the court last year, the Washington Mystics took a loss by a score of 85-84 when they faced the Phoenix Mercury. The Mystics were able to collect 25 defensive rebounds and 9 offensive rebounds for a total of 34 in the matchup. They gave up possession 9 times, while recording 5 steals in the matchup. The Mercury were called for 18 fouls for the contest which got the Mystics to the charity stripe for a total of 13 shots. They were able to bury 11 of the free throw attempts for a clip of 84.6%. In relation to 3-point shots, Washington made 9 of their 18 tries (50.0%). At the conclusion of this game, the Mystics went 32 for 74 from the field which had them shooting 43.2%. The Mystics permitted the Mercury to bury 28 of their 62 tries from the floor which had them shooting 45.2% for this game. They finished the game shooting 45.8% from distance by shooting 11 out of 24 and walked away from this one shooting 18 out of 23 at the charity stripe (78.3%). When it comes to attacking the glass, Washington allowed Phoenix to pull down 34 in all (7 on the offensive glass).

Leilani Mitchell pitched in for the Mystics for the matchup. She made 8 of 15 in the game for a rate of 53.3%, and accounted for 2 rebounds. Mitchell racked up 25 points in her 35:48 mins on the hardwood and totaled 4 dimes for this game. Another player that played a role for Washington was Emma Meesseman. She ended up finishing with 4 assists in her 35:02 mins on the hardwood, and she put in 8 of 15 from the field. Meesseman walked away from this one going 53.3% from the field as well as totaling 18 points and 3 total rebounds.

Washington had a record of 9-13 last year. Washington earned 1,760 pts last year (80.0 per contest) and they averaged 31.5 rebounds per game. In terms of offensive execution, the Mystics shot 43.3% from the field, which ranked 9th in basketball. The Mystics committed 17.0 personal fouls per contest and they connected on 82.5% from the free throw line. They assisted teammates 19.7 times per contest (7th in the WNBA) and they turned it over 12.1 times per contest. The Mystics on defense were ranked 6th in basketball in PPG allowed with 81.5. They surrendered 17.8 dimes and 34.7 total boards per game, which had them ranked 1st and 8th in those defensive categories. The Washington defense conceded 36.8% on 3-pointers (168 of 456) and opponents connected on 79.6% of their shots from the free throw line. They were able to force 14.1 turnovers on a nightly basis and allowed teams to shoot 46.5% from the field (10th in the league).

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Washington (-3)

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