Connecticut Sun and Phoenix Mercury are set for a second consecutive contest on Sunday night.
These teams met just two days ago in Phoenix, with the Sun prevailing by a score of 96-83. Back in Phoenix again, the Sun are looking to extend their win streak to three games while the Mercury are looking to snap a five-game losing streak.
These teams are both near the bottom of the WNBA standings. Phoenix ranks 13th in the league with a record of 8-18 while Connecticut is 14th with a record of 7-18.
With the All-Star break right around the corner, both teams are looking to get back on track heading into the second half of the season.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Connecticut Sun vs. Phoenix Mercury betting picks and predictions
Connecticut Sun +3.5 (-115)
The Mercury are in a major rut right now. Not only is Phoenix riding a five-game losing streak, but they have lost those five games by an average of 15.8 points.
In that stretch, they’ve lost multiple types of games - low-scoring games, high-scoring games, close games, and not-so-close games. Things just aren’t going Phoenix’s way right now, and after losing to the Sun just two days ago, expecting a quick turnaround is a tough ask.
Connecticut’s Leila Lecan led all scorers in Friday’s contest with 26 points. It was a career-high for Lecan, and her efforts led the Sun to consecutive wins for just the second time this season.
While the Sun are still near the bottom of the WNBA standings, they are starting to find a groove. They enter this contest with wins in five of their last eight contests, and are now set to face a Mercury team that is just 3-9 at home this season.
The Sun put forth a well-rounded victory on Friday, as they held the Mercury to 27% shooting from behind the arc and out-rebounded Phoenix 34-27, which included a 7-4 edge on the offensive glass. They also forced 15 turnovers which turned into 25 points the other way.
The Sun never trailed in the game, and now they are getting 3.5 points just two days later. With the way Phoenix is struggling right now, take the points with Connecticut.
Under 166.5 (-110)
Friday’s contest between these teams went over the total by producing 179 total points. Both squads had strong shooting nights, as Connecticut shot 52% from the floor and Phoenix shot 46%. Both of those totals are far higher than the season averages for both teams.
Neither team was lights-out from beyond the arc, but the efficiency inside the arc led to the game going over the total.
On the season, Connecticut ranks 12th in the WNBA with a shooting percentage of 43.8%. Phoenix isn’t much better, ranking ninth with a team shooting percentage of 43.9%.
Facing each other again just two days later, look for both sides to put forth a more spirited defensive effort. Both coaching staffs should be able to make the necessary adjustments to prevent the opposition from posting such high shooting totals this time around.
It also doesn’t help that the Mercury are still without forward Natasha Mack, who has missed the last eight games with a bone bruise in her left foot. She is enjoying a career year, averaging 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Not having her in the mix lowers Phoenix’s offensive ceiling once again.
With a total of 167.5, look to the under.
Connecticut Sun vs. Phoenix Mercury odds
Connecticut Sun | +140 |
Phoenix Mercury | -165 |
Spread | PHX Mercury -3.5 |
Total | O/U 166.5 |
Connecticut Sun vs. Phoenix Mercury player props
Player Points
Kahleah Copper (PHO Mercury) | O/U 20.5 |
Alyssa Thomas (PHO Mercury) | O/U 14.5 |
Leila Lecan (CON Sun) | O/U 13.5 |
Brittney Griner (CON Sun) | O/U 12.5 |
Olivia Nelson-Ododa (CON Sun) | O/U 10.5 |
Monique Akoa Makani (PHO Mercury) | O/U 9.5 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
