WNBA Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 08-05-2018 19:00 EDT

Spread: Los Angeles Sparks -6

Total: +159.5

The second and third best teams of the Western Conference are clashing today, when the third Phoenix Mercury, who snapped a lengthy losing streak and want to continue on the winning ways, are visiting the second Los Angeles Sparks, who have not won or lost a second consecutive game for almost a month now.  

Mercury are 16-12 (16-12 ATS) so far in the league and are sitting in the 3^rd place of the Western Conference. In their latest matchup they ended a 4-game losing skid with a road victory against the Aces, 104-93. Sparks are 16-11 (14-13 ATS) so far in the league and are sitting on the 2^nd place of the Western Conference. In their latest matchup they were victorious against the Lynx at home, 79-57 score.

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Phoenix are led in scoring by Diana Taurasi with 20.9 ppg. She also leads the team in assists made with 4.9 per game, while Brittney Griner follows with 20.2 ppg, adding a team-best 7.3 rebounds per game. DeWanna Bonner adds 16.4 ppg, 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Los Angeles are led in scoring by Candace Parker with 18.3 ppg. She also adds 7.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, while Nneka Ogwumike follows with 16 ppg, adding a team-best 7.3 rebounds per game. Chelsea Gray adds 14.6 ppg and a team-best 5.4 assists per game.  

This will be the second matchup between those two teams this season, with Sparks having won the previous one 80-72 at home. Sparks have a 9-6 home record so far, while Mercury are 11-5 on the road. Mercury have a better offense with 84.4 ppg to Sparks’ 79.4, while Sparks are better defensively, allowing a league-best of 76.8 ppg to Mercury’s 82.8. Sparks have a better accuracy from the field, shooting with 46.4% to Mercury’s 45.1%, while Mercury have a better accuracy from behind the arc, shooting with 35.7% to Sparks’ 35.2%. Sparks commit fewer turnovers (12.5 to 14.1), while Mercury dish more dimes (20 to 18.9) and grab more boards per game (32.1 to 30.6). Both squads are playing below expectations lately but Phoenix are one of the best road teams in the league and expect them to force a closer game than 6 points in Los Angeles today.

Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks Prediction: Los Angeles Sparks -6 (-106)