One of four games scheduled across the WNBA this evening is a matchup between two of the league’s most successful franchises. Of course, that historical success doesn’t have any bearing on the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury this season. As it stands in the present, both teams come into Tuesday’s matchup on the wrong side of .500. With each team having lost their most recent contest, both sides will be seeking to get back in the win column this evening. The WNBA betting odds give the nod to the home team for tonight’s Lynx vs Mercury prediction.
The following game preview includes our official Lynx vs Mercury prediction, the injury report for both teams, WNBA betting odds from BetOnline Sportsbook, key betting trends and much more!
Lynx vs Mercury Prediction, WNBA Betting Odds and Game Info
WNBA Regular Season Game
Minnesota Lynx (3-13, 2-7 Away) vs. Phoenix Mercury (6-10, 3-3 Home)
Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Time: 10 PM EST
Venue: Footprint Center — Phoenix, AZ
Coverage: NBA TV
Lynx vs Mercury WNBA Betting Game Preview
Minnesota Lynx Preview
Typically, when a team has numerous players bouncing in and out of the lineup or off the roster entirely, the lack of continuity can spell trouble on the floor. That has been the story of this season for the Lynx so far. The result is a WNBA standings table that sees Minnesota sitting in the cellar of the league. The Lynx have lost five straight entering Tuesday’s contest and seven of their last eight overall. With that being said, the team has shown plenty of fight recently. The Lynx fell by a mere two points to Seattle one week ago and suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss at Las Vegas on Sunday.
The fact that the Lynx were able to take two of the top teams in the West to the final buzzer is quite impressive. The feat becomes even more remarkable when one considers that Minnesota is currently without center Sylvia Fowles. Minus their leading scorer and rebounder, other players have had to step up. In Sunday’s loss, Moriah Jefferson and Jessica Shepard were the primary scorers with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Aerial Powers continued her steady play, and Kayla McBride remains capable of lighting up the scoreboard each and every time out.
Phoenix Mercury Preview
After splitting a four-game road trip with two wins and two losses, the Mercury are set to return home for tonight’s WNBA betting matchup. Phoenix’s road trip concluded last Friday with a five-point loss to Dallas. Defense continues to be a major issue for the Mercury as they allowed 80+ points in all four games of the recent trip. Opponents have reached that threshold in seven of the Mercury’s last eight games overall.
Phoenix’s subpar defensive play is something that bettors must factor into their Lynx vs Mercury prediction for tonight. Even some of the more offensively-challenged teams in the league have scored at will on the Merc this season. Furthermore, the team’s inability to generate stops has overshadowed the star offensive power on the roster. Take last Friday’s defeat for example. Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 21 points and dished out 10 assists for an impressive double-double line. Tina Charles fell one rebound shy of her own double-double as she supplied 27 points. Yet, the Mercury were still on the wrong end of the WNBA betting odds at the end of the game thanks to ceding 93 points defensively.
Lynx vs Mercury WNBA Betting Odds
All WNBA betting odds for Lynx vs Mercury can be found at BetOnline Sportsbook.
Moneyline: MIN: (+195) | PHX: (-225)
Point Spread: MIN: +6 (-115) | PHX: -6 (-105)
Total: 168.5 — Over: (-115) | Under: (-105)
Public (Spread) Betting Percentages via Action Network: MIN: (27%) | PHX: (73%)
Lynx vs Mercury Betting Trends
- Lynx are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games against Western Conference opponents.
- The OVER is 9-2-1 in the Lynx’s last 12 games as WNBA betting underdogs.
- Mercury are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a straight up loss.
- The OVER is 6-1-1 in the Mercury’s last eight home games.
- Lynx are a perfect 11-0 ATS in their last 11 head-to-head matchups against the Mercury played in Phoenix.
Minnesota Lynx Injury Report
Out: Sylvia Fowles (knee); Natalie Achonwa (hamstring)
Phoenix Mercury Injury Report
Out: Brittney Griner (personal); Sophie Cunningham (elbow); Kia Nurse (knee)
Lynx vs Mercury Stats
- Minnesota is averaging 78.4 points per game (PPG) this season (T-No. 9 in the WNBA).
- Minnesota is surrendering 84.9 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 9 in the WNBA).
- Phoenix is averaging 82.1 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 6 in the WNBA).
- Phoenix is surrendering 86.3 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 10 in the WNBA).
Lynx vs Mercury Prediction
From the standpoint of name-brand talent, the Mercury clearly have an edge in today’s matchup. With stars like Skylar Diggins-Smith, Tina Charles and Diana Taurasi leading the way, it’s no surprise that the WNBA betting odds have Phoenix priced as a sizeable home favorite over a team that has won all of three games this season.
Although the Lynx may only have three victories to date, one cannot underestimate this team. Just ask the Las Vegas Aces, who barely escaped with a one-point home win over Minnesota two days ago. Sylvia Fowles may be out long-term, but the rest of the Lynx roster turmoil has actually subsided in recent weeks. This has allowed head coach Cheryl Reeve to better pick up the pieces and get the most out of the players she does have. As one of the best coaches in league history, bettors have to factor Reeve’s impact into tonight’s Lynx vs Mercury prediction.
From a matchup standpoint, it’s extremely difficult to get excited about laying six full points with a Mercury team that can’t get a defensive stop to save its life. Even when all of the stars go off in the scoring column, the Mercury are still prone to being beaten because of their porous defense. Add in an improving Lynx offense that has scored 79+ in three straight games and stops may not come easily for Phoenix tonight.
In the absence of Fowles, the Lynx’s frontcourt duo of Jessica Shepard and Nikolina Milic have stepped up. The two have notably played very well when on the floor together in the team’s last two contests. Given that the Mercury are shorthanded in the frontcourt, Shepard and Milic could very well be in for another huge game offensively.
Lynx vs Mercury Prediction: Lynx +6 (-115 at BetOnline Sportsbook)
Top WNBA Betting Offers
