The Phoenix Mercury and Portland Fire meet Friday in WNBA action at the Moda Center. Here’s a Fire vs Mercury Prediction. This article will include a Fire vs Mercury Pick.
Phoenix Mercury Betting Preview
The Phoenix Mercury have a chance to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Mercury have lost 11 of their last 14 regular-season games.
The Phoenix Mercury are averaging 82 points on 41.2 percent shooting and allowing 86.1 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Kahleah Copper is averaging 18.2 points and 2.8 rebounds, while Alyssa Thomas is averaging 15 points and 7.5 assists. Jovana Nogic is the third double-digit scorer, and Monique Akoa Makani is grabbing 2.8 rebounds. The Phoenix Mercury are shooting 30.7 percent from beyond the arc and 80.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Phoenix Mercury are allowing 38.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.4 rebounds per game.
Portland Fire Betting Preview
The Portland Fire looks for a win after winning 6 of their last 10 games. The Fire have won 4 of their last 6 home games.
The Portland Fire are averaging 83 points on 45.7 percent shooting and allowing 86 points on 46 percent shooting. Carla Leite is averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists, while Bridget Carleton is averaging 14.7 points and 3.2 rebounds. Sug Sutton is the third double-digit scorer, and Megan Gustafson is dishing out 0.6 assists. The Portland Fire are shooting 35.1 percent from beyond the arc and 80.6 percent from the free-throw line. The Portland Fire are allowing 33.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 27.2 rebounds per game.
Why the Portland Fire will win
- The Mercury have lost seven of their last eight games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Fire have won three of their last four home games.
- The Mercury have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 13 Friday games as road underdogs.
- The home team has covered the spread in three of the Mercury’s last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Mercury’s last four road games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Three of the Fire’s last four home games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Portland Fire Player Facts
- Emily Engstler has recorded 2+ blocks in six consecutive appearances – the longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Bridget Carleton ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.1) this season.
Phoenix Mercury Player Facts
- Noemie Brochant ranks T40th amongst qualified players for blocks per game (0.5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Portland Fire ranks 14th for free throw attempts per game this season (18.3).
- The Portland Fire ranks 1st for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (63.5).
- The Phoenix Mercury have suffered the equal-largest comeback loss after Q3 this season – led by -8 points @ Atlanta Dream on May 24.
- The Phoenix Mercury have suffered the equal-largest comeback loss after Q1 this season – led by -12 points @ Atlanta Dream on May 24.
Fire vs Mercury Injury Report
The Fire doesn’t have any players listed on its injury report.
The Mercury will be without Sami Whitcomb due to a knee injury. Kahleah Copper is doubtful with a hip injury. Alyssa Thomas is questionable with a calf injury.
Fire vs Mercury Prediction
I know the Fire are still a new team trying to figure things out, and the Mercury are better than what they’ve shown up to this point. Oddsmakers are still holding out hope for Phoenix. However, the Mercury have been awful through 11 games, and at some point, they have to show us, and we can’t keep relying on reputation. Also, the Mercury likely won’t have Copper for this game and could also be down Thomas. Those are their two best players. It’s honestly shocking this line is this soft given the injury report. The Fire has no excuses. They have to take advantage of this opportunity. I’ll lay the bucket.