WNBA Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 06-22-2017 22:00 EDT

Spread: Phoenix Mercury 0

Total: +161.5

In this all-Western showdown, the second-best team of the conference are hosting the second-worse, when the Phoenix Mercury (10-3), who have won eight straight and want to continue on the winning ways, are hosting the Minnesota Lynx (5-6), who have back-to-back wins after almost a month and are looking to extend their winning streak.

Lynx are 5-6 so far in the league and are sitting on the fifth of the Western Conference. They are 3-1 in their last four games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against the Dallas Wings at home, 91-83. Mercury are 10-3 so far in the league and are sitting in the second place of the Western Conference and the whole WNBA. They have won their last 8 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against the Las Vegas Aces on the road, 92-80 score.

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Minnesota are led in scoring by Maya Moore with 18.1 ppg. She also adds 5.4 rebounds per game, while Sylvia Fowles follows with 18 ppg and a team-best 12.3 rebounds per game. Seimone Augustus adds 11.2 ppg. Phoenix are led in scoring by Brittney Griner with 20.4 ppg. She also leads the team in rebounding with 7.3 per game, while Diana Taurasi follows with 20.2 ppg and a team-best 4.5 assists per game. DeWanna Bonner adds 15.5 ppg, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.

Mercury have won the only previous matchup against the Lynx this year, with an 85-95 score on the road. Last season the Lynx won all four meetings against the Mercury. Mercury are 4-2 at home this season, while Lynx are 2-4 on the road. Phoenix have both a better offense with 83.7 ppg to Minnesota’s 79.5 and the third-best defense in the league, allowing 79.2 ppg to Minnesota’s 79.8. Phoenix also have a better accuracy from the field with 46% to Minnesota’s 44.1%, while those two teams are very close in accuracy from behind the arc, shooting with 34.5% and 34.4%. Minnesota grab more boards per game, with 35.9 to Phoenix’s 31.5, while Phoenix commit fewer turnovers (13.7 to 15.6) and dish more assists per game (21 to 18). Lynx have been playing better lately but they still don’t pose a threat to the hottest team’s home court, so pick Phoenix for the win in this one.  

Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury Prediction: Phoenix Mercury 0 (-105)