Chicago Sky vs. Phoenix Mercury Prediction, Preview and Odds - 8/31/21
A pair of teams with momentum on their side take the floor in a WNBA tilt in the Valley of the Sun. The Chicago Sky are on the road as they travel to face the Phoenix Mercury Tuesday night. Chicago swept a two-game road series from Seattle as they hammered the Storm 107-75 Sunday afternoon in their most recent contest. Phoenix swept a two-game road series from the Liberty in the Big Apple as they earned an 80-64 victory Friday night in their most recent game. The Sky have won seven of the last 10 meetings but the Mercury won both matchups this season, prevailing 84-83 on the road on June 1 and then picking up a 77-74 overtime win at home on June 3.
Chicago Sky Seeking Fourth Straight Win
Chicago had dropped four of five separated by the Olympic break but comes into this one having won three straight after sweeping a two-game road set from Seattle. The Sky improved to 14-12 on the year and stand sixth in the WNBA playoff picture, 3.5 games clear of the Mystics to remain on the right side of the playoff cut line. On Sunday, Chicago used an early 8-0 run to break a tie and didn’t look back en route to the blowout win. The Sky shot a hot 56.2% from the floor, including a scorching 15 of 22 from beyond the arc, and held a 36-22 edge on the glass in the contest. Candace Parker led six Chicago players in double figures with 25 points and nine rebounds in the win.
The Sky is 3rd in the league in scoring offense as they muster 83.3 points per contest this season. Chicago is sixth in rebounding (35.8 boards a night) and first in assists by dishing out 22 dimes a game. The Sky is above average on defense as they are fourth in the league by allowing an average of 79.8 points a contest. Kahleah Copper is one of five players averaging in double figures for the team with 14.6 points plus 4.5 rebounds a night this season. Candace Parker (13.2 points, 8.2 boards), Astou Ndour-Fall (seven points, 5.1 rebounds) and Ruthy Hebard are solid secondary options. The Sky can also look to Diamond DeShields (11 points), Courtney Vandersloot (11.3 points, 9.2 assists), Allie Quigley (13.7 points), Stefanie Dolson, Brittany Boyd-Jones, Azura Stevens, Natasha Mack and Stephanie Watts to contribute for coach James Wade. Chicago is 6th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 43.9% as a team. The Sky are in the middle of the pack in threes per game as they are 5th with 7.4 per contest: they are 5th in three-point shooting at 35.5%. Chicago comes in first at the free throw line this season as they are shooting 85.1% at the stripe.
Phoenix Mercury Looking to Stay Hot
Phoenix swept a two-game set on the road from New York to run their win streak to six as they rung up their eighth win in nine games Friday night. The Mercury improved to 15-10 on the year and stand fifth in the WNBA playoff picture, 4.5 games behind the league-leading Sun. Against New York, Phoenix used a 21-4 run spanning the first and second quarters to take a 17-point lead only to see the Liberty rally to tie the game late in the third quarter. Rather than fold, the Mercury regrouped with a 15-2 run over the next three-plus minutes to take a 65-52 lead with 8:14 to go and went on to the win. Phoenix shot 39.7% from the floor, including eight of 26 from beyond the arc, and held a 39-35 advantage on the boards in the contest. Skylar Diggins-Smith led the Mercury with 27 points, seven assists and four steals in the win.
The Mercury are 6th in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 81.6 points per game. Phoenix is second in rebounding (37.2 rebounds) per contest and stand sixth in the league by handing out 19.3 assists a night. The Mercury are third in the league in scoring defense as they give up an average of 79.5 points per game. Skylar Diggins-Smith is second on the Mercury in scoring with 19.2 points plus 5.1 assists a night. Brittney Griner (20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, two blocks), Diana Taurasi (16.4 points, 4.7 assists) and Brianna Turner (eight points, 9.5 rebounds) are solid scoring options. Kia Nurse (8.5 points), Kia Vaughn, Megan Walker, Sophie Cunningham, Shey Peddy and Alanna Smith are other role players for coach Sandy Brondello. Phoenix is fifth in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 44.2% as a team from the floor. The Mercury is 7th in three-pointers per game (seven per game) and 10th in three-point shooting (32.7%) this season. Phoenix is 9th in the WNBA in free throw shooting as they cash in 79.3% of their chances on the year. Griner (ankle) is questionable here after getting dinged up August 25 against the Liberty: she missed Friday night’s contest.
Pick: Chicago Sky
Something is going to have to give in this one as both teams come in with win streaks on the line. Chicago has won three straight, including taking two on the road from Seattle, who had Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd on the floor. Phoenix has ripped off six straight wins to push within striking distance of the fourth seed in the WNBA playoff picture. The big question mark here for the Mercury is centered around Griner and whether she will take the floor in this contest. While Phoenix had more than enough firepower to take down New York without her, Chicago is a deep, explosive team that can rack up points by the truckload. Give the Sky the advantage as they continue their run as the league’s top road team.
Total: Over
Chicago has seen the over hit 14 times in their 26 games on the season going into this one after surging past the total on Sunday with their offensive barrage. The Sky averages 83.5 points per game on the road with a +7.5 ppg scoring differential in those contests. That creates an average total of 159.5 points a night when the Sky are on the road. Phoenix has seen the under go 13-11-1 in their games this season. In the head-to-head series, we’ve seen the over hit in seven of the last 10 meetings, including one of the two meetings this season. Look for Chicago to push the pace again and that pushes this one over the total.