The Phoenix Mercury and Portland Fire meet Thursday 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 look for a win after losing 8 of their last 11 games. The Mercury have lost 29 of their last 43 regular-season games.
The Phoenix Mercury are averaging 84.2 points on 44.5 percent shooting and allowing 87.3 points on 46.3 percent shooting. Kahleah Copper is averaging 21.3 points and 3.6 rebounds, while Kelsey Plum is averaging 15.8 points and 2.8 assists. Alyssa Thomas is the third double-digit scorer, and Jovana Nogic is grabbing 1.1 rebounds. The Phoenix Mercury are shooting 32.7 percent from beyond the arc and 78.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Phoenix Mercury are allowing 35.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.6 rebounds per game.
Portland Fire Betting Preview
The Portland Fire look for a win after losing 4 of their last 5 games. The Fire have lost 7 of their last 9 home games.
The Portland Fire are averaging 86.6 points on 45.2 percent shooting and allowing 91.1 points on 46.5 percent shooting. Carla Leite is averaging 15.9 points and 6.3 assists, while Bridget Carleton is averaging 14.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. Megan DiLeo is the third double-digit scorer, and Emily Engstler is grabbing 5.6 rebounds. The Portland Fire is shooting 34.8 percent from beyond the arc and 80.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Portland Fire is allowing 34.6 percent shooting from deep and is grabbing 30.3 rebounds per game.
Why the Portland Fire will win
- The Fire have won five of their last six games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Mercury have lost four of their last five games.
- The Fire have covered the spread in each of their last four night games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Mercury have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as road favorites.
Why the Phoenix Mercury will win
- The Mercury have won five of their last six games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Fire have lost four of their last five games.
- The Mercury have covered the spread in each of their last four night games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Fire have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Mercury’s last five games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of the Fire’s last five night games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Portland Fire Player Facts
- Jordan Harrison leads all Portland Fire players for assists per 36 minutes (9.9) this season.
- Frieda Buhner ranks 14th amongst qualified Centers for points per game (6.3) this season.
Phoenix Mercury Player Facts
- Natasha Mack ranks 6th amongst qualified players for effective field goal percentage (61.1%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Portland Fire rank 14th for defensive rating this season (112.1).
- The Portland Fire rank 14th for turnover percentage this season (16.4%).
- 11 different Phoenix Mercury players have scored 15+ points in a game this season – tied for most in the league.
- Five different Phoenix Mercury players have scored 25+ points in a game this season – tied for most in the league.
Fire vs Mercury Injury Report
Sania Feagin is out for the Fire with a knee injury. Carla Leite is out due to a rest day. Teja Blak is out with a knee injury. Megan DiLeo is out with a finger injury. Bridget Carleton is out with an ankle injury.
Kelsey Plum is out for the Mercury with a leg injury. Kahleah Copper is questionable with a groin issue.
Fire vs Mercury Prediction
I’m not thrilled to lay points with the Mercury on the road, as they’ve been the most disappointing team in the league. However, even if Copper doesn’t play, the Mercury is easily the better team here given the Fire’s injury report. The Fire are the most banged-up team in the league, with several rotation players out. We’re only laying a bucket, and the underdog has covered both games this season between the Mercury and Fire. Give me the Mercury, especially if Copper plays.