This critical game toward the end of the season has taken a wrong turn for the Phoenix Mercury, who will take the court against the Dallas Wings without Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi.
The season series is currently at 2-1 in favor of Dallas, and without their two leaders, it's tough to see the struggling Mercury find a way to prevail. Find out more in our free WNBA picks for Wings vs. Mercury on Friday, August 12.
Wings vs Mercury odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
Lines opened early Friday morning, hovering between -1 and -1.5 in favor of the Wings. The total opened up at 165.5 and has remained the same.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until tip-off and be sure to check out the full WNBA odds before placing your bets.
Wings vs Mercury predictions
Predictions made on 8/12/2022 at 2:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Wings vs Mercury info
• Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
• Date: Friday, August 12, 2022
• Tip-off: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Bally Sports Southwest Extra, Bally Sports Arizona Extra
Wings vs Mercury betting preview
Key injuries
Wings: Arike Ogunbowale G (Out), Satou Sabally F (Out).
Mercury: Diana Taurasi G (Out), Skylar Diggins-Smith G (Out), Brittney Griner C (Out), Kia Nurse G (Out).
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Wings are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following an ATS loss. Find more WNBA betting trends for Wings vs. Mercury.
Wings vs Mercury picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
Earlier today, Phoenix announced that the phenomenal All-Star Skylar Diggins would be out the remainder of the season as she deals with personal matters. That is a final blow to an unfortunate season that started Britney Griner's terrible ongoing situation in Russia.
Phoenix has tried to find momentum this season but has essentially been unsuccessful. So, what are the Mercury lacking in this game without Diggins-Smith? Just about everything.
She is a floor general and can score with the best guards in the WNBA today. Diggins is averaging 19.7 points and 5.5 assists per game this season, and that kind of production cannot be replaced with anyone they choose to sign today.
On the other hand, while unpredictable, Dallas has been playing some solid ball lately, going 6-4 in their last 10 games. This streak has been highlighted by back-to-back wins against the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces, the two best teams in the league today.
However, Dallas is dealing with the injury bug as well. Arike Ogunbowale is an excellent all-around player who is out with a hip injury for at least the first round of the playoffs. She is averaging 19.7 points per game, and Dallas will have to lean on others to pick up the slack.
The Wings have locked up the 6th seed in the playoffs, but don't expect them to take their foot off the gas. They will want to finish the regular season strong and use that momentum to make a real run at a championship.
The Wings are better offensively than the Mercury and rank Top 3 in offensive rebounding, an area where Phoenix is struggling. I expect Dallas to come out motivated to strengthen their validity and to put Phoenix's gasping playoff hopes to rest.
Prediction: Wings -1 (-110 at Caesars)
Over/Under analysis
When you lose both Diggins-Smith and Taurasi, scoring the basketball is going to be extremely difficult to come by. Considering their season averages, that's 36.4 points and 9.4 assists that must be accounted for. The results of late have been ugly for Phoenix, failing to score more than 77 points in each of its last five games.
In their previous 10 games, they rank amongst the four worst teams in points per game. Dallas can score, but they are far from any juggernaut on that end of the floor. Dallas plays very team-oriented and doesn't have a player who can go for 30 on any given night with Ogunbowale out.
Allisha Gray is a heck of a player and is their second-leading scorer at 13.3 points per game. In Phoenix's last matchup with the Wings, the Mercury did score 83 points, but that came off the backs of Diggins-Smith and Taurasi, who combined for 44 of them.
You tell me who is going to fill the offensive void? Please, take the Under here!
Prediction: Under 165.5 (-110 at Caesars)
Best bet
When a team loses four of its best players for many reasons throughout the season, winning games becomes more and more difficult. Phoenix was considered a title contender at the outset of the season.
The Mercury came into the season thinking they would pair two future Hall of Fame guards with two other potential Hall of Famers in the paint. It would be the WNBA's version of the current Golden State Warriors squad. That dream never came to fruition, and now they look like a team that can't wait for this final week of the regular season to conclude.
In the two wins Dallas secured against Phoenix this season, they won by an average of 7.5 points, with a healthy Mercury team intact on the court. With those difference makers not present, it's hard to see Phoenix seriously competing.
Pick: Wings -1 (-110 at Caesars)
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