Prediction: Dallas Wings VS Phoenix Mercury 2025-07-07
Dallas Wings vs. Phoenix Mercury: A Tale of Two Teams, One Spread
By The Handicapper with a Six-Pack of Confidence
The Setup
The Phoenix Mercury (12-6) enter this rematch as the WNBA’s second-best team, but they’re limping into the Footprint Center with three key players on the injury report: Satou Sabally (out with a right ankle injury), Kahleah Copper, and Alexa Held. Meanwhile, the Dallas Wings (6-13) are a 11th-place mess, but they’ve got Paige Bueckers playing like she’s auditioning for MVP and a roster of rookies who’ve somehow kept the team afloat despite missing DiJonai Carrington (rib injury).
The Numbers Game
- Phoenix’s recent form: 2-2 in their last four, including two straight losses. Their offense has sputtered without Sabally and Copper, who combined for 32.4 PPG in their last meeting with Dallas.
- Dallas’s recent form: 4-7 in their last 11, but Bueckers has averaged 21.0 PPG, 5.5 APG over her last 10 games. The Wings have also covered the spread in 5 of their last 7 games when playing as underdogs.
- Injury Impact: Phoenix’s starting five is now a patchwork crew featuring Kitija Lāce and Monique Aaron-Makani, while Dallas is leaning on Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly to fill gaps. The Mercury’s depth is in tatters; the Wings? They’re just… bad, but fun.
Odds Breakdown
- Moneyline: Phoenix is a -300 favorite (implied probability: ~75%), Dallas is +298 (implied: ~25%).
- Spread: Dallas is +6.5 at ~1.91 (implied: ~52.3%), Phoenix is -6.5 at ~1.91.
- Totals: 164.5 points, even money.
The Underdog Win Rate Angle
WNBA underdogs win 32% of the time. Dallas’s implied probability from the moneyline is 25%, which is 7% below the historical average. That’s a huge gap—like the difference between a rookie’s first layup and a seasoned vet’s step-back three.
Calculating Expected Value (EV)
- Moneyline EV: Dallas’s implied (25%) vs. underdog rate (32%) = +7% edge.
- Spread EV: Dallas +6.5 at 52.3% implied. If their actual chance to cover is ~55% (based on Phoenix’s injuries and Dallas’s recent form), the EV is +2.7%.
The Verdict
While Dallas’s moneyline bet offers a tantalizing 7% edge, the spread is more compelling. Phoenix’s injuries have crippled their offense (they’re averaging 83.1 PPG without Sabally/Copper), and Dallas’s defense has held opponents to 81.4 PPG in their last three games. Bueckers’ 23-point explosion in the first meeting proves Dallas can hang with the Mercury—even if they’re missing Carrington.
Best Bet: Dallas Wings +6.5 (-110)
Why? The spread accounts for Phoenix’s regression and Dallas’s recent resilience. Even if the Wings lose, they’ll likely keep it within 6.5 points. The EV is favorable, and the drama of a rookie-laden team defying the odds? That’s the kind of storybook ending the WNBA needs.
Final Thought
Phoenix is a top-2 team, but they’re playing like a top-5 team right now. Dallas is a bottom-10 team, but they’ve got the spark of a playoff contender. Bet the spread, and enjoy the chaos. Y’all have a nice game. 🏀🔥
Created: July 7, 2025, 8:14 p.m. GMT