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The New York Liberty (24-7) visit the Phoenix Mercury (9-21) Friday at Footprint Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ION Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Liberty vs. Mercury odds, and make our expert WNBA picks and predictions.
The Liberty were humbled Thursday in a 88-75 road loss to the Las Vegas Aces. New York had won its last 2 matchups versus the league leaders, including the Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday night. It was the first loss in 7 games for New York in regular-season play, and it had a 4-game cover streak snapped.
The Mercury suffered an 81-71 loss to the Seattle Storm on the road last time out on Sunday, but Phoenix is playing a little better. The Merc have won 3 of their last 5 games and are 4-2 against the spread (ATS) across the past 6 outings.
These teams last met on July 5 in Brooklyn, as the Liberty won 99-95. However, the Mercury easily covered as a 15-point underdog while the Over (167) also comfortably connected. New York also won a home meeting on June 18 by an 89-71 score, covering as a 15-point favorite as the Under (163) came through.
Liberty at Mercury odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Liberty -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100) | Mercury +750 (bet $100 to win $750)
- Against the spread (ATS): Liberty -12.5 (-115) | Mercury +12.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 165.5 (O: -110) | U: -110)
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Liberty at Mercury picks and predictions
Prediction
Liberty 86, Mercury 75
Moneyline
The Liberty (-1200) would cost you 12 times your potential return, and that’s simply too much risk and not nearly enough return, even though New York is the much better team, and it has won the first 2 meetings this season.
PASS.
Against the spread
PHOENIX +12.5 (-105) is worth a look as I think the Mercury keep this one fairly close. New York should have a little bit of a hangover after playing a marquee team in the 2 previous games in Las Vegas.
The Liberty failed to cover in their only game this season when working on no rest.
The Mercury are 6-1 ATS in the past 7 home games and they’re 4-0 ATS in the past 4 against Eastern Conference foes.
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Over/Under
The UNDER 165.5 (-110) is a solid play.
The total has gone low in 6 of the past 7 regular-season outings for the Liberty and 7-1 in their last 8 games overall. The Under is 6-0 in their past 6 against Western Conference foes and 5-1 in their last 6 games on the road.
The Under has been the rule for these teams, going 9-5 so far this month and cashing 5 of their last 7 meetings.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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