Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks WNBA Playoffs Picks & Predictions 8/21/2018

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays WNBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Lynx travel to Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. The opening line for this game has Los Angeles as 7 point favorites.

The Lynx have a record of 18-16. They are 5th in the Western Conference. They have a point differential of 0.7 as they average 78.9 points per game while giving up 78.3 per contest. The Sparks head into this matchup with a mark of 19-15. They are 4th in the Western Conference. They have a point differential of 1.9 as they average 78.9 points per contest while giving up 77.0 per game.

Valuable Minnesota Lynx Betting Trends

The Minnesota Lynx are 12-21-1 against the spread

The Minnesota Lynx are 12-22 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Sparks Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Sparks are 15-17-2 against the spread

The Los Angeles Sparks are 14-20 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Lynx Injuries

08/20/18 F Rebekkah Brunson Concussion is "?" Tuesday vs LA Sparks
08/13/18 G Danielle Robinson Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Los Angeles Sparks Injuries

08/20/18 F Nneka Ogwumike Illness is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs Min Lynx

Player Spotlight

Sylvia Fowles comes into this game averaging 17.7 points per contest while being on the court 32.0 minutes per night so far this year for the Lynx. She grabs 11.9 rebounds per contest and hands out 2.2 assists per game as well. Her field goal percentage is 62% while her free throw percentage is currently at 76%. Maya Moore averages 18.0 points per game in 31.8 minutes per contest this season. She averages 2.6 assists per contest and 5.1 rebounds per game for Minnesota. Her field goal percentage is 42% for the year while her free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Candace Parker averages 17.9 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per contest this year for the Sparks. She grabs 8.2 rebounds per game and has 4.7 assists per contest on the year. Her field goal percentage is 47% and her free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Chelsea Gray averages 14.9 points per game this season and she sees the court an average of 32.7 minutes per contest. She also averages 3.4 rebounds per contest and 5.1 assists per game. Her field goal percentage is 48% and her free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 78.9 points per game this season, which ranks them 9th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.7 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 7th in the WNBA. They average 35.3 rebounds per contest and 19.6 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 3rd with 13.6 per game. The Lynx allow 78.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.1 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 18.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 12.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 10th in the league with 78.9 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 1.9. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 6th in the WNBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 31.3 boards per game, and 8th in assists per contest with 18.3. The Sparks are 12th in turnovers per game with 10.9. The Sparks surrender 77.0 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the WNBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 6th with 18.7 assists allowed per contest and 8th with 35.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Sparks are 12th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Lynx are 10th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 102.8, and their defensive rating of 101.9 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 10th in the league with 76.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 7th. As a team they are 8th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 23% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league. Minnesota is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 4th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 11th in the WNBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 8th in the league. The Sparks are 6th in the WNBA in offensive rating with 104.4, and their defensive rating of 101.8 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 75.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 6th. As a team they are 7th in the WNBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league.

Who will win tonight's WNBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota -7

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