Seattle Storm vs Phoenix Mercury 9/13/20 - WNBA Picks & Predictions
The Seattle Storm meet up with the Phoenix Mercury in what will be the final game of the regular season for the Mercury. The Mercury have squared off with the Connecticut Sun in back to back games, falling in the first but bouncing back with a 100-95 overtime win to improve their record on the season to 13-8. Phoenix has turned it on late in the season and has won seven of their last eight games. Seattle sits atop the WNBA standings with a 17-3 record and has won six straight games, fresh off a 107-95 win over the Dallas Wings.
Seattle is second in the WNBA in scoring offense averaging 88 points per game while shooting an impressive 39.1% from beyond the arc, which is the second-best clip this season. Seattle is led by Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd; Stewart who is arguably the best womens’ college basketball player of all time is averaging 19.7 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game. Stewart is 4th in the WNBA in scoring and ranks in the top 15 in rebounding. Jewell Loyd is averaging 15 points per game and is shooting 40% from beyond the arc on 4.5 threes per game.
The Mercury are averaging 87.4 points per game ranking third in scoring offense and is led by four players averaging double figures this season. Leading the way is Diana Taurasi averaging 19.5 points per game and 4.7 assists per game. Leading rebounder Brittney Griner is averaging 7.5 rebounds per game while adding in 17.7 points per game to rank third on the team.
Seattle is the best scoring defense in the WNBA this season allowing just 76.3 points per game while holding opponents to just 40.6% from the field, by far the best defensive shooting percentage this season. The Mercury come in allowing 84.2 points per game to rank 8th in scoring defense but hold opponents to 42.3% from the field, which is second in the WNBA.
Betting Trends for vs
Seattle is, at least statistically, the best team in the WNBA this season ranking second in scoring offense and first in scoring defense. The Mercury are a solid defensive team and have a deep and balanced scoring attack led by center Brittney Griner and guard Diana Taurasi, with four players averaging double figures this season and the Mercury looking to improve their seeding, sitting half a game back of the 4 seed which would earn them a bye. Seattle has officially clinched a bye into the semi-finals already and I think Phoenix comes out hungrier than the Storm and is able to keep this game close enough to cover the spread. Final score prediction, Seattle Storm win but don't cover ATS 87-85.
