WNBA Los Angeles Sparks vs Phoenix Mercury Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 08-12-2018 15:00 EDT

Spread: Phoenix Mercury +1

Total: +161.5

In this battle between the second and fourth-best teams of the Western Conference, the second Los Angeles Sparks, who saw a winning streak end and want to bounce back, are visiting the fourth Phoenix Mercury, who are looking to continue on the winning ways.

Sparks are 18-12 (14-16 ATS) so far in the league and are sitting on the 2^nd place of the Western Conference. In their latest matchup they saw a 3-game winning streak end with a road defeat by the Dream, 73-79. Mercury are 17-14 (18-13 ATS) so far in the league and are sitting on the 4^th place of the West. In their latest matchup they ended a 2-game losing skid with a home victory against the Fever, 94-74.

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Seattle are led in scoring by Candace Parker with 18 ppg. She also leads the team with 8 rebounds, adding 4.9 assists per game, while Nneka Ogwumike follows with 15.6 ppg and 7 rebounds per game. Chelsea Gray adds 15 ppg and also leads the team in assists made with 5.3 per game. Phoenix are led in scoring by Diana Taurasi with 20.6 ppg. She also leads the team in assists made, with 4.8 per game, while Brittney Griner follows with 20.5 ppg, adding a team-best of 7.3 rebounds per game. DeWanna Bonner adds 16.5 ppg, 6.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

This will be the third meeting between those two teams so far this season, with the Sparks having won both previous matchups with a 78-75 and an 80-72 score. Mercury have a 6-8 home record so far, while the Sparks are 8-6 on the road. Mercury have a better offense with 84.8 ppg to Sparks’ 79.3, while the Sparks are better defensively, allowing a league-best of 76.9 ppg to Mercury’s 83. Sparks have a better accuracy from the field, shooting with 46.2% to Mercury’s 45.3%, while both teams have identical accuracy from behind the arc, shooting with 35.2% and 35%. Mercury grab more boards, with 32.2 to Sparks’ 30.8 and dish more dimes per game, with 20 to Sparks’ 18.8, while the Sparks commit fewer turnovers (12.4 to 13.6). Phoenix have been very ineffective at home throughout the season and expect Los Angeles to get away with the road victory.  

Los Angeles Sparks vs Phoenix Mercury Prediction: Los Angeles Sparks -1 (-110)