The Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks meet Tuesday in WNBA action at the Galen Center. Here’s a Sparks vs Mercury Prediction. This article will include a Sparks vs Mercury Pick.
Phoenix Mercury Betting Preview
The Phoenix Mercury need a win to snap a 3-game losing streak. The Mercury have lost 25 of their last 37 regular-season games.
The Phoenix Mercury are averaging 83.6 points on 44.2 percent shooting and allowing 87.4 points on 46.4 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 32.1 percent from beyond the arc and 78.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Phoenix Mercury are allowing 37 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.3 rebounds per game.
Los Angeles Sparks Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Sparks need a win after losing 13 of their last 18 games. The Sparks have lost 3 straight home games.
The Los Angeles Sparks are averaging 89.2 points on 46.7 percent shooting and allowing 93.6 points on 47.9 percent shooting. Nneka Ogwumike is averaging 17.1 points and 2.9 assists, while Dearica Hamby is averaging 15.1 points and 7.5 rebounds. Rae Burrell is the third double-digit scorer, and Erica Wheeler is dishing out 5.4 assists. The Los Angeles Sparks are shooting 33.7 percent from beyond the arc and 78.6 percent from the free-throw line. The Los Angeles Sparks are allowing 34.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31 rebounds per game.
Why the Los Angeles Sparks will win
- The Mercury have lost nine of their last 10 night games following a road loss.
- The Sparks have won four of their last five games following a home loss.
- The Sparks have covered the spread in each of their last five night games against the Mercury following a home loss.
- The Mercury have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six night games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Phoenix Mercury will win
- The road team has won eight of the last nine games between the Sparks and Mercury.
- The Sparks have lost seven of their last 10 games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The Mercury have covered the spread in each of their last five road games against the Sparks.
- The Sparks have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six home games against teams that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Sparks’ last four home night games following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of the Mercury’s last six games as underdogs following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Los Angeles Sparks Player Facts
- Nneka Ogwumike is the only qualified player in the league to be leading their team in rebounds per game (8.8) and free-throw percentage (85.2%) this season.
- Rae Burrell ranks 2nd amongst qualified players in the Western Conference for 3P% (40.7%) this season.
Phoenix Mercury Player Facts
- Natasha Mack ranks last amongst 50 qualified players for three-point field-goal percentage (25.0%) this season.
- Kahleah Copper has led her team in scoring 22 times this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Los Angeles Sparks rank 14th for opponent field goal percentage this season (47.9%).
- The Los Angeles Sparks rank 14th for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (9.6).
- 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 (7.6).
Sparks vs Mercury Injury Report
Monique Akoa Makani is questionable for the Sparks with an ankle injury.
Kelsey Plum is out for the Mercury with a leg injury.
Sparks vs Mercury Prediction
It’s hard to trust the Sparks from game to game as they’ve been one of the biggest underachievers in the league. However, the Mercury remain a mess and, despite trading for Plum, haven’t improved and have nothing to play for at this stage in terms of the playoffs. Plum won’t play in this game, which takes some of the steam out of the matchup with a chance to face her former team. The Mercury don’t defend, have turnover issues, and often look like a veteran team that’s just over it. The Sparks still play hard and can score the ball at an above-average clip. I’ll lay the small number.