Phoenix Mercury vs LA Sparks: Prediction and Odds | September 17, 2024 

The Phoenix Mercury will square off against the LA Sparks for the fourth and final time this season on Tuesday. Phoenix, which has already clinched a playoff spot, might sit out stars like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner for the game at Crypto.com Arena. The Mercury can no longer overtake the sixth-seeded Indiana Fever so they are likely to use second-stringers for the encounter.

The also-ran Sparks have no incentive to win the game. As the team with the worst record in the WNBA this season, they have already gained the best odds of winning the lottery. LA coach Curt Miller could give his backup players more minutes when they host the Mercury.

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Phoenix Mercury vs LA Sparks: Preview, odds and prediction for Sept. 17

Spectrum SportsNet and Arizona’s Family Sports will air the game locally. Basketball fans can also stream the action via the WNBA League Pass or Mercury Live.

Moneyline: Mercury (-155) vs. Sparks (+130)

Spread: Mercury (-3.0) vs. Sparks (+3.0)

Total (O/U): Mercury (o162.5 -110) vs. Sparks (162.5 -110)

Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

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Phoenix Mercury vs LA Sparks: Preview

Rest for Mercury’s aging core will be the main objective for the team heading into the playoffs. With the No. 7 seed already secured, they will be waiting until they know who will be their host when the first round of the postseason starts.

Nate Tibbetts, who has used roughly an eight-woman rotation for the season, is expected to lean heavily on the bench. Monique Billings, Celeste Taylor, Amy Atwell and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan should have the lion’s share of the minutes.

Curt Miller has been giving his starters huge minutes even when they were eliminated from playoff contention about a month ago. But with the Sparks already owning the worst record over the last two years, Miller might finally give the bench mob the spotlight. Stephanie Talbot, Kia Nurse, Crystal Dangerfield and Zia Cooke are likely to get extended playing time.

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Phoenix Mercury vs LA Sparks: Predicted starting 5s

Mercury

G - Celeste Taylor, G - Amy Atwell, F - Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, F - Monique Billings and F - Natasha Mack

Sparks

G - Kia Nurse, G - Crystal Dangerfield, G - Zia Cooke, F - Stephanie Talbot and C - Li Yueru

Editor’s Note: The predicted starting 5s could change closer to the game

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Phoenix Mercury vs LA Sparks: Prediction

Phoenix has more reason to be on point with its execution as some of the backups will be crucial in the playoffs. The Mercury could end up facing the New York Liberty or Minnesota Lynx, two of the most dominant teams this season. As preparation for the postseason, the road team could have more reason to play well and win the game.