The Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty meet Friday in WNBA action at the Barclays Center. Here’s a Liberty vs Mercury Prediction. This article will include a Liberty vs Mercury Pick.
Phoenix Mercury Betting Preview
The Phoenix Mercury need a win after losing 6 of their last 7 games. The Mercury have lost 9 of their last 11 regular-season games.
The Phoenix Mercury are averaging 85.6 points on 43.4 percent shooting and allowing 86.6 points on 45.3 percent shooting. Kahleah Copper is averaging 18.8 points and 2.5 rebounds, while Alyssa Thomas is averaging 16.9 points and 8.1 assists. Jovana Nogic is the third double-digit scorer, and Natasha Mack is grabbing 8.1 rebounds. The Phoenix Mercury are shooting 32.5 percent from beyond the arc and 79.6 percent from the free-throw line. The Phoenix Mercury are allowing 39.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.1 rebounds per game.
New York Liberty Betting Preview
The New York Liberty need a win after losing 4 of their last 6 games. The Liberty has won 5 of its last 8 regular-season home games.
The New York Liberty are averaging 88 points on 45.9 percent shooting and allowing 85.1 points on 42.9 percent shooting. Breanna Stewart is averaging 20 points and 2.3 assists, while Jonquel Jones is averaging 13.1 points and 8.4 rebounds. Marine Johannes is the third double-digit scorer, and Pauline Astier is grabbing 3.4 rebounds. The New York Liberty are shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 86.8 percent from the free-throw line. The New York Liberty are allowing 33.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33 rebounds per game.
Why the New York Liberty will win
- The Liberty have won nine of their last 10 home games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Mercury have lost each of their last 12 Friday games as road underdogs.
- The Mercury have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 14 Friday road games.
- The favorites have covered the spread in six of the last seven games between the Liberty and Mercury.
Why the Phoenix Mercury will win
- The Liberty have lost four of their last five games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The underdogs have won three of Liberty’s last four games.
- The Liberty have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 14 home games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The road team has covered the spread in four of the Liberty’s last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Liberty’s last eight home games against Western Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Mercury’s last six games against the Liberty following a road loss has gone UNDER the total points line.
New York Liberty Player Facts
- Marine Johannes ranks 1st amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per game (3.4) this season.
- Leonie Fiebich ranks 2nd in the league for true shooting percentage (101.4%) this season.
Phoenix Mercury Player Facts
- Natasha Mack ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.8%) this season.
- Alyssa Thomas has recorded 3+ assists in 74 consecutive appearances – the longest active streak of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The New York Liberty rank 1st for free throw percentage this season (86.8%).
- The New York Liberty rank 1st for opponent free throw percentage this season (71.1%).
- The Phoenix Mercury have recorded the longest losing streak in the WNBA this season (4 games).
- The Phoenix Mercury have suffered the equal-largest comeback loss after Q3 this season – led by -8 points @ Atlanta Dream on May 24.
Liberty vs Mercury Injury Report
The Liberty will be without Marine Fauthoux due to a knee injury. Sabrina Ionescu is out due to back soreness.
The Mercury will be without Sami Whitcomb due to a knee injury.
Liberty vs Mercury Prediction
The Liberty have been sluggish through 8 games, but they just beat the Mercury a couple of days ago by 10 points. The Mercury are in far worse shape, losing 8 of their last 10 games, and they’re 3-7 ATS in those games. I’m not excited to back the Liberty in the favorite role, but getting behind the Mercury in their current form isn’t an option. At home and with the reasonable line, I have to side with the Liberty.