The Phoenix Mercury will face the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night, September 17, 2024, at the Crypto.com Arena. This WNBA matchup pits two teams with contrasting fortunes this season. The Mercury are currently fourth in the Western Conference with an 18-20 record, while the Sparks sit at the bottom of the standings with a disappointing 7-31 mark. With the season winding down, the Sparks are desperate for a turnaround, but the latest betting trends heavily favor the Phoenix Mercury to secure a win.
Game Details
- Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
- TV: CBS/AZ Family
- Stream: NBA League Pass
Betting Odds
- Moneyline: Phoenix Mercury (-168) vs Los Angeles Sparks (+136)
- Spread: Mercury -3 (-109) vs Sparks +3 (-109)
- Total Points (O/U): Under 163.5 (Mercury) / Over 163.5 (Sparks)
Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury are coming off a hard-fought 93-88 victory over the Chicago Sky. In that game, Brittney Griner led the charge with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Despite their up-and-down season, Phoenix has managed to maintain a solid offensive output, averaging 81.35 points per game. However, their defense has been less reliable, allowing 84.65 points per contest. Kahleah Copper is their leading scorer this season, posting an impressive average of 21.6 points per game, followed by Griner and veteran Diana Taurasi.
Key Players:
- Kahleah Copper: 21.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 APG
- Brittney Griner: 18.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.4 APG
- Diana Taurasi: 14.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.3 APG
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks are entering this game after a heartbreaking 90-87 loss to the Seattle Storm. Dearica Hamby led the Sparks with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists in that game. The Sparks have struggled throughout the season, averaging just 78.38 points per game while allowing opponents to score 86.46 points. Despite their poor performance, Hamby has been a bright spot, leading the team with 16.9 points per game. Other key contributors include Rickea Jackson and Odyssey Sims, but the team has been plagued by injuries, further complicating their season.
Key Players:
- Dearica Hamby: 16.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.5 APG
- Odyssey Sims: 13.5 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 5.4 APG
- Rickea Jackson: 13.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.5 APG
Prediction
The Los Angeles Sparks have struggled mightily this season and will likely continue to do so in this matchup. While the Phoenix Mercury are not among the league’s elite, they have enough firepower to dominate this game. Expect the Mercury to secure a narrow victory, with a final score of 81-80.
