Lynx vs Mercury WNBA Prediction, Odds, Picks

The Minnesota Lynx take on the Phoenix Mercury. Our WNBA odds series includes our prediction, odds and tips for the Lynx Mercury. Find out how to watch the Lynx Mercury.

The WNBA's full schedule for Wednesday includes five matchups, three of which start late in the Pacific time zone (7 p.m.). This is clearly the best of the three late games on the schedule. Phoenix and Minnesota played a thriller in the Valley of the Sun earlier this season. Minnesota led by six late in the fourth quarter, but Kahleah Copper sank strong three-pointers to help the Mercury to a one-point victory. It was one of the toughest losses the Lynx have suffered this season. When you look at the WNBA standings and see that the Lynx are a half-game behind second-place Connecticut, this one game is the reason Minnesota has no chance at the second spot in the playoffs, which are now three weeks away as September comes into view.

Minnesota has performed exceptionally well after the Olympic break. A fresh, rested, healthy version of Napheesa Collier — who was slowed by injury earlier in the season — makes the Lynx very dangerous. A full-strength, full-speed version of Collier on a team with tough, lanky defenders whose length extends into passing lanes makes the Lynx a versatile team with an elite scorer who scores baskets at crucial moments. Championship teams need that aircraft carrier, and Collier is the right fit for Minnesota. The Lynx are 22-8 overall, 8-2 in their last 10 games. Only the New York Liberty (9-1) are better in their last 10 games.

The Phoenix Mercury just lost to the Liberty at home by double digits. They now face the second strongest team in the WNBA. Let's see if playing against the best team in the league prepares the Mercury sufficiently for one of the other top teams in the WNBA.

Here are the WNBA odds for Lynx-Mercury, courtesy of FanDuel.

WNBA Odds: Lynx-Mercury Odds

Minnesota Lynx: -3.5 (-112)

Money line: -172

Mercury in Phoenix: +3.5 (-108)

Money line: +140

Over: 163 (-110)

Under: 163 (-110)

How to watch Lynx vs. Mercury

Time: 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT

Television: Bally Sports North Extra, Mercury Live

*Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (Free Trial)*

Why the Lynx can cover the spread/profit

The Lynx are focused and playing great basketball. They have clearly established themselves as a legitimate contender for the WNBA title. If the New York Liberty are the clear favorite to win the WNBA title (and they are), by all indications and measures Minnesota and Connecticut are the top two challengers. With Napheesa Collier healthy, Minnesota deserves the benefit of the doubt against any team not from New York or Connecticut that faces them the rest of this WNBA season.

Why Mercury can cover/win the spread

When the Merc beat the Liberty on Monday, they were shown what a great team looks like. This test should give Phoenix a healthy awareness of where and how it needs to adjust. Expect Phoenix to play a better game here and bounce back.

Final Lynx-Mercury Prediction and Pick

We're leaning towards the Lynx, but realize Phoenix will likely play better here than they did against the Liberty, so our official position is to skip this game and wait for a live game. This could be a game where Phoenix starts off well, but Minnesota catches up to the Mercury in the second half, meaning you can potentially get +2.5 points on the Lynx as an in-game bet instead of putting 3.5 points on the pre-game betting line.

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Final Lynx-Mercury prediction and pick: Lynx -3.5