Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty 9/5/20 - WNBA Picks & Predictions
The New York Liberty meet up with the red hot Phoenix Mercury having won their last five games, the most recent a dominating 105-81 win over the Indiana Fever improving their record on the year to 11-7. The Liberty are one of the worst teams in the WNBA this season and fell to an abysmal 2-15, falling 62-56 to the Atlanta Dream.
The Mercury are one of the best offenses in the WNBA, coming in averaging 87.9 points per game ranking second in scoring offense. The Mercury are led in scoring by four players averaging double digits, led by Diana Taurasi who averages 19.7 points per game while adding a team-high 5 assists per game. Center Brittney Griner adds 17.7 points per game while adding a team-high 7.5 rebounds per game.
The Liberty comes in averaging just 72.5 points per game to rank last in the WNBA in scoring offense. Without first-round pick Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty are led by Layshia Clarendon and Kia Nurse who are both averaging 11.7 points per game while Clarendon leads the team in assists with 3.9 per game. Nurse is shooting an efficient 46.6% from the field which leads all Liberty starters.
The Liberty are allowing 86.3 points per game, the 9th ranked scoring defense in the WNBA this season and are allowing opponents to shoot 44.7% from the field. The Liberty defense held the Dream to just 62 points their last time out but mustered just 56 points. Phoenix is allowing 84.5 points per game to rank 5th in the WNBA in scoring defense.
Betting Trends for vs
The Liberty have shown no signs of life on the offensive end since Sabrina Ionescu’s ankle injury and there is no reason to think that changes in this game. The Mercury have won five straight games and appear to be gaining momentum headed into the playoffs. The balanced scoring attack of the Mercury is just too much for the Liberty and the Mercury blow out the struggling NY Liberty. Final Score Prediction, Mercury win and cover 90-67.
