The Portland Fire and Phoenix Mercury meet Sunday in WNBA action at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Here’s a Mercury vs Fire Prediction. This article will include a Mercury vs Fire Pick.
Portland Fire Betting Preview
The Portland Fire look for a win after winning 3 of their last 4 games. The Fire have split their last 6 road games.
The Portland Fire are averaging 86.7 points on 45.3 percent shooting and allowing 91.3 points on 46.5 percent shooting. Carla Leite is averaging 15.5 points and 6.2 assists, while Bridget Carleton is averaging 14.6 points and 4.5 rebounds. Megan DiLeo is the third double-digit scorer, and Emily Engstler is grabbing 5.3 rebounds. The Portland Fire is shooting 35.2 percent from beyond the arc and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Portland Fire is allowing 34.4 percent shooting from deep and is grabbing 30.3 rebounds per game.
Phoenix Mercury Betting Preview
The Phoenix Mercury look for a win after splitting their last 10 games. The Mercury have lost 25 of their last 38 regular-season games.
The Phoenix Mercury are averaging 83.9 points on 44.4 percent shooting and allowing 87.4 points on 46.3 percent shooting. Kahleah Copper is averaging 20.6 points and 3.5 rebounds, while Kelsey Plum is averaging 17.3 points and 3.3 assists. Alyssa Thomas is the third double-digit scorer, and Jovana Nogic is grabbing 1.1 rebounds. The Phoenix Mercury are shooting 32.2 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free-throw line. The Phoenix Mercury are allowing 36.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.5 rebounds per game.
Why the Phoenix Mercury will win
- The Mercury have won each of their last seven games at Mortgage Matchup Center following a road win.
- The Fire have lost each of their last four road games after winning as underdogs.
- The Mercury have covered the spread in each of their last six home games after winning as underdogs.
- The Fire have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games as road underdogs after winning as underdogs.
Why the Portland Fire will win
- The Fire have won each of their last three games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Fire have covered the spread in eight of their last 10 games against Western Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of the Mercury’s last 12 home games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Three of the Fire’s last four games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Phoenix Mercury Player Facts
- Natasha Mack ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for true shooting percentage (65.1%) this season.
- Kahleah Copper ranks 2nd amongst qualified players in the Western Conference for points per game (20.6) this season.
Portland Fire Player Facts
- Emily Engstler is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 4+ blocks in consecutive games this season.
- Megan DiLeo is one of only four players to have made 8+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Five different Phoenix Mercury players have scored 25+ points in a game this season – equal-most in the league.
- The Phoenix Mercury rank 2nd for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (7.7).
- The Portland Fire rank 14th for second-chance points (336) this season.
- The Portland Fire rank 14th for second-chance points per game (9.9) this season.
Mercury vs Fire Injury Report
Kelsey Plum is out for the Mercury with a leg injury.
Sania Feagin is out for the Fire with a knee injury.
Mercury vs Fire Prediction
I know the Fire have their issues, but I’m not sure what the Mercury have done to deserve this sort of respect. The Mercury are arguably the biggest underachievers this season, with turnover issues on offense and a defense that takes plays off. The Mercury are still down Plum, and home court hasn’t helped this season, where they’re 5-10 SU. Also, this little stretch for the Fire has been their best ball of the season, where they beat the Tempo, Storm twice, and took the Lynx down the wire. Give me the points with the Fire.