Las Vegas Aces vs Phoenix Mercury Prediction, 5/6/2022 WNBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Las Vegas Aces vs Phoenix Mercury

Date: Friday, May 6, 2022

Location: Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ

TV: NBATV

The Phoenix Mercury (19-13 last season) host the Las Vegas Aces (24-8 last year) at Footprint Center on Friday.

The Las Vegas Aces faced the Phoenix Mercury and went home with a win by a final score of 84-83 in their last game. Las Vegas finished the contest having earned a 46.4% FG percentage (32 out of 69) and made 6 of their 17 3-pointers. From the free throw line, the Aces converted 14 of 15 attempts for a percentage of 93.3%. In reference to hauling in boards, they compiled a total of 33 with 6 of them being of the offensive variety. They also recorded 12 dimes for this game as well as forcing the other team into 10 turnovers and getting 6 steals. In relation to defense, Las Vegas allowed 44.9% from the field on 31 out of 69 shooting. Phoenix distributed 7 dimes and had 7 steals for this contest. Furthermore, Phoenix had 33 boards (7 offensive, 26 defensive) and had 2 blocked shots. Phoenix ended up going 70.0% at the charity stripe by converting 7 of their 10 shots. They also made 14 of their 30 attempts from distance.

Brittney Griner is one player who was a major contributor in this game. She ended up finishing with 28 points on 11 out of 18 shooting. She played for 38 minutes played and also totaled 9 boards. Griner finished the contest at 61.1% from the floor but had no assists at the end of the game.

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Las Vegas enters this matchup after finishing with a record of 24-8 last year. They lost possession by turning the ball over 11.6 times per game and as a squad committed 14.2 personal fouls on a nightly basis. As a group, Las Vegas pulled in 38.6 boards per game and earned 667 assists last season, which ranked 3rd in basketball in terms of passing the ball. The Aces hit on 37.5% on shots from distance (162 of 432) and 81.9% from the free throw line. They had an average of 89.3 points per outing (1st in the league) while going 47.2% from the floor. On the defensive end, the Aces were able to force their opponents into 11.4 turnovers per contest and they drew 18.8 fouls. They surrendered 30.6% on shots from downtown and they ranked 5th in the WNBA in opponents PPG (80.2). The Aces gave up a FG percentage of 41.5% (973 of 2,345) and they conceded 34.9 rebounds per game as a team. They were 7th in the league in giving up assists to their opponents with 622 relinquished last season.

In their last game, the Phoenix Mercury walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 84-83 against the Las Vegas Aces. The Mercury corralled 26 defensive boards and 7 offensive rebounds for a total of 33 in the matchup. They also gave up possession 10 times, while getting 7 steals in the game. The Aces committed 9 personal fouls for this game which took the Mercury to the free throw line for a total of 10 attempts. They were able to convert 7 of the free throw attempts for a percentage of 70.0%. In reference to 3-point attempts, Phoenix converted 14 out of 30 tries (46.7%). Overall, the Mercury went 31 for 69 from the floor which had them shooting 44.9%. The Mercury permitted the Aces to bury 32 of 69 tries from the field which had them shooting 46.4% in this contest. They finished shooting 35.3% from three-point range by connecting on 6 out of 17 and finished the game at 14 of 15 from the charity stripe (93.3%). Concerning cleaning the glass, Phoenix allowed Las Vegas to get 33 in total (6 on the offensive glass).

Candace Parker ended up being important for the Mercury for this contest. She made 5 of 11 in the game for a rate of 45.5%, and had 13 rebounds. Parker had 16 points in her 35 minutes on the hardwood and earned 5 assists for this game.

Phoenix had a record of 19-13 last season. The Mercury committed 16.3 fouls per contest and they connected on 79.8% from the free throw line. Their rate of assisting teammates was at 19.7 times per contest (5th in basketball) and they turned the ball over 12.8 times per game. Phoenix totaled 2,626 pts last year (82.1 per game) and they collected 36.2 rebounds per game. As an offense, the Mercury hit 45.0% from the field, which was ranked 4th in the league. The Mercury on the defensive side of the court were 4th in basketball in PPG given up with 79.5. They forced 10.1 turnovers per game and allowed teams to shoot 41.7% from the floor (3rd in basketball). The Phoenix defense allowed 32.2% from downtown (227 of 705) and opponents connected on 81.3% of their foul shots. They relinquished 17.1 dimes and 34.9 boards per game, ranking them 3rd and 5th in those defensive categories.

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

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Las Vegas

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