The Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx have already faced off twice on their WNBA schedules already this season, with each team getting a win over the other earlier in the year. Here, they face off for the third time this season, with the Lynx playing much better basketball of late. Here, we make our Mercury vs Lynx picks for this key contest from Minnesota.
Mercury vs Lynx Odds
Spread: Entering this matchup on Friday night, the Minnesota Lynx are favored by four points over the Phoenix Mercury.
Over/Under: The total for this game is set at 163 points, as these teams attempt to navigate their defensive woes to try and pick up a win here.
Mercury vs Lynx Information
Phoenix Mercury vs Minnesota Lynx
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date & Time: Friday, July 7, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET
How to watch: ION Television
Mercury vs Lynx Analysis
Heading into this weekend, the Phoenix Mercury are in last place in the 12-team WNBA standings. They are 3-13 on the season and are just 1-7 on the road. Meanwhile, the Lynx are in eighth place in the WNBA at 8-9 despite being just 3-5 at home.
Phoenix Mercury Performance Recap and Analysis
The only positive for the Phoenix Mercury this season is that Brittney Griner’s individual WNBA player stats have been excellent. Other than that, it has been a long year for the Mercury, who come into this game on a two-game losing streak. To have a chance, the Mercury will need to defend Napheesa Collier, who can score from all levels on the floor.
Key Injuries
For this game, Diana Taurasi is going to be held out, as the Mercury are choosing to rest her. That means both Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith are out for this matchup, leaving the Mercury deficient at the guard spots.
Betting Trends to Know
The Phoenix Mercury have been the worst team in the league at covering WNBA spreads this season. They are just 5-11 against the spread. In the over/under market, the Mercury have gone 8-7-1 to the over in 16 games.
Minnesota Lynx Performance Recap and Analysis
The Minnesota Lynx are in eighth place in the WNBA, which may not be impressive to those just finding out the answer to the question of how many WNBA teams are there. But they have played much better basketball of late after a slow start to the season, having won four straight and five of their last six. Another win here would really help the Lynx as they look to get themselves into playoff positioning as the season wears on.
Key Injuries
The Lynx are still dealing with some injury and illness issues coming into this game. They are set to be without Jessica Shepard due to illness, while Aerial Powers and Tiffany Mitchell are out with injuries.
Betting Trends to Know
Coming into this contest, the Lynx are 10-7 against the spread. They have gone under the total in the majority of their games, going under in nine of their 17 contests.
Mercury vs Lynx Betting Picks
- Moneyline: Lynx (-170)
There is a reason that the Mercury are at the bottom of the WNBA standings. Their defense has given up the second-most points in the WNBA this year. Their porous defense will help the Lynx to win this game on the moneyline.
- Over/Under: Over 163
Because of the lackluster Mercury defense, we also like this game to go over the total of 163 points. Napheesa Collier should be able to stretch the floor and pull Brittney Griner out of positions to protect the rim, which will help the Lynx lead this game to a high-scoring pace.
- Spread: Lynx -4
The last of our Mercury vs Lynx picks is for the Minnesota Lynx to cover the spread as a four-point favorite against the Phoenix Mercury. Minnesota is playing some of the best basketball in the league right now, and they will continue to do so against the league’s worst team.
Mercury vs Lynx Prediction
WNBA Pick: Lynx -4
The most highly recommended of our Mercury vs Lynx picks is for the Lynx to cover the spread on Friday night. It is also not a bad idea to take the over on any Napheesa Collier points props you can find, as the Mercury does not have a natural matchup to slow her down.
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