Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces Prediction, 8/17/2022 WNBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces

Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Location: Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, NV

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Phoenix (+14)

The Phoenix Mercury (15-21) go to Michelob ULTRA Arena on Wednesday where they'll take on the Las Vegas Aces (26-10) in the 1st round of the WNBA Playoffs. Phoenix opens this contest as 14 point underdogs. The total has been set at 161.5.

The Phoenix Mercury took the court against the Chicago Sky and took a loss by a final of 82-67 in their last contest. Phoenix ended the game with a 45.8% field goal percentage (27 of 59) and converted 3 of their 13 shots from downtown. From the free throw line, the Mercury converted 10 of their 12 tries for a rate of 83.3%. In regard to pulling down rebounds, they compiled 35 with 2 of them being offensive. They also recorded 17 dimes in the game while creating 12 turnovers and getting 4 steals. In the matter of defense, Phoenix allowed 45.1% from the floor on 32 of 71 shooting. Chicago distributed 5 dimes and had 8 steals for this contest. In addition, Chicago snagged 26 rebounds (5 offensive, 21 defensive) and got 5 blocks. Chicago finished the game shooting 100.0% from the free throw line by burying 7 of 7 shots. They also buried 11 out of their 27 tries from beyond the arc.

Megan Gustafson is a player who was a contributor for the matchup. She left the arena with 12 points on 4 out of 8 shooting. She was on the hardwood for 26 minutes and pulled down 10 rebounds. Gustafson finished the contest at 50.0% from the floor and also recorded 2 assists.

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Phoenix comes into this game with a mark of 15-21 on the campaign. The Mercury are shooting 32.9% on three-point shots (316 of 961) and 81.7% from the free throw line. They currently have an average of 81.1 points per outing (7th in the league) while hitting 42.9% from the field. They cough up possession 13.3 times per contest and as a group are committing 19.8 fouls per contest. As a unit, Phoenix is grabbing 31.2 rebounds per contest and is sitting with 692 dimes for the season, which ranks 8th in the WNBA in terms of passing the rock. Defensively, the Mercury have forced 14.2 turnovers per contest and they draw 18.4 fouls. They surrender 36.6% from 3-point land and they rank 10th in basketball in points per game allowed (84.1). The Mercury are allowing a FG percentage of 44.1% (511 of 661) and they surrender 37.2 boards per contest as a team. They are currently ranked 6th in the WNBA in giving up assists to their opponents with 742 relinquished so far this year.

When they last stepped on the court, the Las Vegas Aces took home the win by a final score of 109-100 against the Seattle Storm. The Aces were able to collect 28 defensive boards and 5 offensive rebounds for a total of 33 for the matchup. They turned it over 10 times, while earning 11 steals in the matchup. The Storm were called for 20 fouls in this matchup which took the Aces to the free throw line for a total of 24 shots. They were able to bury 20 of the free throw attempts for a rate of 83.3%. In regard to three-point attempts, Las Vegas made 11 out of 27 tries (40.7%). When the game finished, the Aces finished 39 out of 70 from the field which had them shooting 55.7%. The Aces allowed the Storm to bury 38 out of their 82 tries from the field 0 46.3% for this contest. They finished 45.0% from distance by connecting on 18 out of 40 and finished the contest at 6 out of 7 at the free throw line (85.7%). Regarding team rebounding, Las Vegas allowed Seattle to collect 40 overall (13 offensive).

Chelsea Gray pitched in for the Aces for the game. She made 10 out of 15 for the matchup giving her a field goal percentage of 66.7%, and accounted for 7 rebounds. Gray racked up 33 points in her 36 mins of playing time and added 9 assists in the matchup.

Las Vegas has a record of 26-10 on the season. On the offensive side of the ball, the Aces are connecting on 46.0% from the floor, which is ranked 3rd in the WNBA. Las Vegas has totaled 3,256 pts so far this season (90.4 per game) and they pull down 35.4 boards per game. They are getting an assist 20.8 times per game (4th in the league) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 11.1 times per contest. The Aces commit 15.8 fouls per game and they connect on 82.3% from the free throw line. The Aces defensively are ranked 9th in the WNBA in points allowed per game with 84.1. The Las Vegas defense surrenders 35.6% on three-point shots (329 of 925) and opponents are converting on 79.6% of their foul shots. They relinquish 21.0 assists and 36.2 boards on a nightly basis, which is ranked 9th and 10th in the WNBA. They have forced 12.6 TO's per game and have allowed teams to shoot 43.7% from the floor (5th in the league).

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Las Vegas (-14)

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