Atlanta Dream vs Phoenix Mercury Prediction, 5/18/2024 WNBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Atlanta Dream vs Phoenix Mercury

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024

Location: Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ

TV: NBATV

The Atlanta Dream (1-0) head to Footprint Center on Saturday where they'll meet the Phoenix Mercury (0-1).

The Atlanta Dream took the court against the Los Angeles Sparks and walked away with a win by a score of 92-81 in their last game. Atlanta finished the game with a 50.7% field goal percentage (34 of 67) and converted 8 of their 17 three-point attempts. When they shot from the free throw line, the Dream knocked down 16 of their 19 attempts for a percentage of 84.2%. When talking about hauling in boards, they collected 34 with 7 of them being on the offensive end. They also dished out 20 assists in the matchup while forcing 11 turnovers and getting 8 steals. When talking about the defense, Atlanta allowed the other team to shoot 38.9% from the floor on 28 of 72 shooting. Los Angeles doled out 8 dimes and had 8 steals in this matchup. In addition, Los Angeles pulled down 35 rebounds (8 offensive, 27 defensive) and got 2 blocks. Los Angeles finished the game shooting 59.1% from the free throw line by making 13 of their 22 attempts. They made 12 of 31 attempts from 3-point range.

Rhyne Howard is a player who was a factor for this game. She ended up with 25 points on 9 of 16 shooting. She was on the court for 31 mins and snagged 3 rebounds. Howard finished the game at 56.3% from the field and dished out 3 dimes.

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Atlanta enters this contest with a record of 1-0 this year. They have an average of 92.0 points per outing (2nd in the league) while shooting 50.7% from the field. The Dream are hitting 47.1% on shots beyond the perimeter (8 of 17) and 84.2% from the charity stripe. As a team, Atlanta is pulling down 34.0 boards per contest and is sitting with 20 dimes for the year, which has them ranked 7th in basketball in terms of passing the ball. They cough up possession 13.0 times per game and as a squad are committing 20.0 fouls on a nightly basis. On the defensive end of the court, the Dream have forced 11.0 turnovers per contest while drawing 17.0 personal fouls. The Dream defensively are giving up an opponent shooting percentage of 38.9% (11 of 17) and they surrender 35.0 rebounds per game as a squad. They rank 10th in basketball in giving up assists with 24 surrendered this year. They are relinquishing 38.7% on shots from beyond the perimeter and they are 6th in the WNBA in points per game allowed (81.0).

The last time they took the hardwood, the Phoenix Mercury took a loss by a score of 89-80 when they faced the Las Vegas Aces. The Mercury corralled 27 defensive boards and 10 offensive rebounds totaling 37 in the matchup. They turned it over 15 times, while getting 6 steals for the matchup. The Aces were called for 12 fouls for the game which got the Mercury to the charity stripe for 10 tries. They were able to make 7 of the free throw attempts for a clip of 70.0%. With respect to 3-pointers, Phoenix converted 15 of their 36 tries (41.7%). In all, the Mercury ended up going 29 out of 76 from the field which gave them a percentage of 38.2%. The Mercury permitted the Aces to make 29 of 71 attempts from the floor which gave them a rate of 40.8% in the game. They shot 20.7% from behind the 3-point line by going 6 of 29 and ended up shooting 25 out of 29 from the charity stripe (86.2%). In regard to rebounds, Phoenix allowed Las Vegas to pull down 37 in all (8 offensive).

Diana Taurasi was important for the Mercury for this contest. She knocked down 8 out of 14 in this contest for a field goal rate of 57.1%, and had 3 rebounds. Taurasi had 23 points in her 28 minutes on the court, but wasn't able to tally an assist.

Phoenix has a record of 0-1 for the campaign. In terms of offensive execution, the Mercury are hitting on 38.2% from the floor, which is ranked 11th in the league. Phoenix has accumulated 80 points for the campaign (80.0 per game) and they pull in 37.0 boards per game. They are assisting teammates 21.0 times per contest (5th in basketball) and they turn the ball over 15.0 times per contest. The Mercury commit 23.0 fouls per contest while shooting 70.0% from the charity stripe. The Mercury on defense are ranked 10th in the WNBA in points allowed per game with 89.0. The Phoenix defense concedes 20.7% on 3-pointers (6 of 29) and their opponents are making 86.2% of their free throw shots. They surrender 17.0 assists and 37.0 total boards per game, which is 4th and 9th in basketball. They are forcing their opponents into 9.0 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 40.8% from the floor (6th in basketball).

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

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Atlanta

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