Toronto Tempo vs. Phoenix Mercury WNBA Preview and Prediction
The expansion Toronto Tempo kicked off the first road trip in franchise history with a split in Los Angeles against the Sparks over the weekend. Now, they head to the desert to face the Phoenix Mercury Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET.
Veteran Brittney Sykes had herself a weekend in L.A. She scored a career-high 38 points on Sunday to lead the Tempo past the Sparks, 106-96. She went 15-for-15 from the foul line, and the Tempo shot 93 per cent (39-for-42) from the free-throw line as a team. Sykes also had 27 points in the team’s 99-95 loss to L.A. on Friday.
Jovanna Nogic, a 28-year-old rookie from Serbia, had 27 points as the Mercury bested Chicago at home on Friday, 91-83. Nogic became the third Mercury player in four games to lead the team in scoring.
Toronto Tempo vs. Phoenix Mercury WNBA Odds and Betting Trends
The host Mercury are listed as a 7.5-point favourite on the NBA odds with a -320 moneyline. Toronto’s moneyline is at +260. The Tempo are 3-1 against the spread and 2-2 straight up early in the season, while Phoenix is 2-2 straight up and against the spread.
The Over/Under for this contest is 169.5. The Mercury have played to the Over in three of four games, while Toronto has played to the Over twice.
Toronto Tempo
Sykes’s big weekend has her tied for fourth in the WNBA in scoring at 24.3 points per game. She and Marina Mabrey (18.5 PPG), who had 14 points on Sunday, provide the Tempo with a veteran backcourt that will keep the team in games throughout the season. Meanwhile, rookie Kiki Rice is quickly emerging for Toronto. After going scoreless in her debut, she has scored in double figures in each of her last three games. She had a career-high 19 points and five rebounds against Los Angeles on Sunday.
Nyara Sabally, who is averaging 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds, is dealing with some neck issues, but she is listed as probable for Tuesday’s contest. Reserve guard Julie Allemand (hip) is out.
Phoenix Mercury
Nogic is one of three Mercury players averaging 16 points or more. Alyssa Thomas (16.5 PPG, 8.5 AST, 7.5 REB) will again be an MVP candidate with her all-around numbers, while Kahleah Copper leads the team with 17.8 PPG. Thomas had 17 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in the win over the Sky, while Copper went 10-for-10 from the foul line and totalled 17 points and five rebounds. Like Toronto, the Mercury were adept from the foul line, making 90 per cent (37-for-41) of their free-throw attempts.
Sami Whitcomb, a 10-year veteran who averaged 9.1 points in her first year with Phoenix last season, is out at least four to six weeks with a severe left knee injury.
WNBA Prediction: Who will win Tempo vs. Mercury?
Both teams are in the top half of the league in scoring offence and scoring defence. The Mercury are scoring 88.3 points a game and allowing 83, while Toronto is scoring 88 points a game and allowing 84.
The Mercury own the most impressive win of the season, a 33-point blowout on the road on opening night against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. This contest shouldn’t be that bad, but look for Phoenix to take advantage of Toronto’s third straight road contest with a 94-84 triumph.