On Friday, June 1, 2018, the Phoenix Mercury, 2-3, take on the Minnesota Lynx, also 2-3. These two teams are struggling to get themselves going, with the Mercury in seventh and the Lynx in the eighth spot. This is a contest where both teams are in a need of a boost to get themselves going.
This game will be televised on ESPN, which should tell you about how much importance that contest should have, as both teams will want to stake their claim as the team to beat.
Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury started out the season with two victories, but have lost their last three games. They are 1-1 on the road this season. Phoenix is fifth in the league in pints per game at 81.8, and they are performing well from the field, shooting 45.9 percent, which is fifth in the league. The Mercury allow 86.0 points per game and 44.4 percent from the field.
Phoenix continues to be led by potential WNBA MVP Brittney Griner, who is averaging 20.8 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game, and is shooting 57.1 percent from the field. She is one of the most dominating forces in the league and has been a big reason why the team played as well as they have.
Diana Taurasi his second on the team in points per game at 16.2 and is shooting 43.1 percent from the field. DeWanna Bonner has not only been scoring, averaging 14.2 PPG, but also has been a rebounding machine at 6.2 per contest. Briann January leads the team in assists per game at 4.0.
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are 1-1 at home and have lost their last two games. The Lynx are ninth in points per game with 76.4 and are seventh in field goal percentage at 43.1 percent. Minnesota is allowing 76.6 points per game and opponents are averaging 41.2 percent from the field.
Sylvia Fowles is picking up where she left off from 2017, averaging 16.6 points per game, and a whopping 12.8 rebounds per game, tops in the WNBA. She also averages 62.7 percent from the field.
Maya Moore continues to put in solid numbers, averaging 15.8 PPG and 6.4 RPG, but she is only shooting 38.5 percent. This is leading many to question the health of Moore. Lindsay Whalen continues to be a playmaker for Minnesota, averaging 4.8 assists per contest.
Odds (Provided by BetDSI Sportsbook):
Minnesota Lynx (-8.5)
Over/Under – 159.5
Trends:
Phoenix Mercury
- Mercury are 6-2 in their last eight games against the spread.
- Mercury are 2-5 in their last seven games against the spread following a loss.
- Mercury are 2-7 in their last nine games against the spread when playing with just one day of rest between contest.
Minnesota Lynx
- Lynx are 2-6 in their last eight games against the spread against Western Conference opponents.
- Lynx are 1-5 in their last six games at home against the spread.
- Lynx have lost their last five games against the spread.
These are the kinds of games that Minnesota simply has to win at all. The Phoenix Mercury have struggled to defend so far in the season, allowing 86 points per game on average. This could prove fatal against the title contender, Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx should be able to walk away with the W, but I doubt that they will cover the spread, so I am backing the Phoenix Mercury.
The Pick: Phoenix Mercury +8.5
