The Phoenix Mercury take on the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, September 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Playoff seeding won't change based on the outcome of this matchup, but it'll be an entertaining game nonetheless.
Check out my WNBA same game parlay below for this Mercury vs. Sparks duel.
WNBA Same Game Parlay for Mercury vs Sparks
- Brittney Griner 20+ Points (+106)
- Brittney Griner First Basket (+260)
- Diana Taurasi 1+ Made 3s (-1200)
Parlay Odds: +531 on FanDuel
Brittney Griner 20+ Points (+106)
Kahleah Copper has missed Phoenix’s last two games due to injury, and it’s unlikely that the Mercury will rush her back with the playoffs around the corner.
As a result, I expect Copper to be sidelined. She averages 21.6 points and 17.2 shots per game, and that massive volume must be distributed somewhere else.
Enter Brittney Griner. Over the past two games sans Copper, Griner has totaled 52 points on 35 field goal attempts. That’s about four shots more per game than Griner’s season average, which is reasonable.
The Sparks’ defense is a mess. In terms of opponent field goal percentage across their past 15 games, they rank 11th defending the restricted area and last protecting the paint.
The majority of Griner’s damage comes from these areas, so it’s a quality matchup for the veteran.
Finally, online sportsbooks are projecting a tight game because the spread has settled around two or three points.
Heavy minutes against a bad interior defense that also pushes the pace is a perfect combination for Griner’s scoring.
Pick: Brittney Griner 20+ Points (+106)
Brittney Griner First Basket (+260)
Griner remains the best tipoff jumper in the W, which means that Phoenix should begin on offense.
Meanwhile, Griner has taken Phoenix’s first shot attempt of the game in 15-of-28 starts. That’s an unparalleled 53.5% mark — the best in the league.
Given the favorable matchup, as stated above, Griner owns an excellent chance to score the first basket (which includes free throws), and this leg definitely adds some spice to our same game parlay odds.
Pick: Brittney Griner First Basket (+260)
Diana Taurasi 1+ Made 3s (-1200)
To finish the same game parlay, let’s throw in Diana Taurasi to make a triple.
She's accomplished this feat in 30-of-34 games, or 88.2% of the time.
The Sparks continue to allow open shots to outside shooters, and Taurasi averages 7.1 attempts per game from 3-point territory.
This final leg moves the parlay from +456 odds to +531.
Pick: Diana Taurasi 1+ Made 3s (-1200)
