Mercury vs Lynx Picks and Prediction – 7/8/2023

The Phoenix Mercury go back on the road Thursday night for their second consecutive game against the Minnesota Lynx. Phoenix has struggled immensely this season 10 games below .500 after losing four the last five following a 10 point loss to this Minnesota team. Offensively Phoenix has had issues averaging 77.8 points per game on 45.1% shooting, while the defense has given up 86.6 points per game through 16 games played. Defensively Phoenix has been a little better over their last five allowing just 84.4 points per game, but the offense has struggled scoring just 75.2 points in that stretch.

Brittney Griner leads the Phoenix offense this season averaging 19.8 points per game on 60.4% shooting to go along with a team high 6.2 rebounds. Diana Taurasi is second on the team averaging 14.5 points and leads Phoenix with 5.3 assists per game. Sophie Cunningham averages 12.5 points per game for Phoenix as the only other player scoring double digits.

The Minnesota Lynx return home Friday night one game below .500 on a three-game win streak after their win against Phoenix. Offensively Minnesota has been solid this season averaging 8.2 points per game on 41.1% shooting, but their defense has struggled allowing 83.9 points per game. As a team Minnesota is hauling in 34.8 rebounds to go along with 18.9 assists through their first 17 games played.

Napheesa Collier is one of the top scorers in the entire league averaging 22.6 points per game through 17 games played to lead Minnesota. Kayla McBride is second on the team averaging 13.1 points and Diamond Miller averages 12.8 points per game. Lindsay Allen averages just 5.4 points but orchestrates the Minnesota offense leading the team with 4.1 assists per game.