WNBA Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 07-21-2017 22:00 EDT

Spread: Phoenix Mercury -2.5

Total: +160

In this all-Western showdown between two squads sitting on mirror places of the conference, the defending champions and fifth Minnesota Lynx, looking to continue on the winning ways, are visiting the second Phoenix Mercury, who want to bounce back after their latest defeat.

Lynx are 13-10 (9-14 ATS) so far in the league and are sitting on the fifth place of the Western Conference. In their latest matchup they ended a 2-game losing skid with a home victory against the Fever, 89-65. Mercury are 15-9 (15-9 ATS) so far in the league and are sitting in the 2^nd place of the Western Conference and of the whole WNBA. They are 1-4 in their last 5 games and in their latest matchup they got defeated by the Aces at home, 82-85.

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Minnesota are led in scoring by Maya Moore with 17.7 ppg. She also adds 5 rebounds per game, while Sylvia Fowles follows with 17.3 ppg, adding a team-best 12 rebounds per game. Seimone Augustus adds 10.4 ppg. Phoenix are led in scoring by Brittney Griner with 20.6 ppg. She also leads the team in rebounding with 7.5 per game, while Diana Taurasi adds 20.6 ppg as well, adding a team-best 4.9 assists per game. DeWanna Bonner adds 15.3 ppg, 6.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

This will be the third meeting between those two teams so far this season, with both teams tied 1-1 wins having won on the road. Lynx won the only road game by 11 points. Mercury have a 5-4 home so far, while Lynx are 6-5 on the road. Mercury have a better offense with 83.6 ppg to Lynx’s 79.1, while Lynx are better defensively, allowing a league-best 76.8 ppg to Mercury’s 80.9. Those two squads are almost equal in accuracy from the field, shooting with 45.3% and 44.7%, in accuracy from behind the arc, shooting with 35.8% and 35.5% and in turnovers committed (14.4 to 14.3). Mercury are better in assists made, with 20.4 to Lynx’s 19.8, while Lynx are better in rebounding, grabbing 35.9 to Mercury’s 32. History indicates a road win in this matchup, so expect Minnesota to emerge victorious once again on the road tonight.

Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury Prediction: Minnesota Lynx +2.5 (-111)