The Phoenix Mercury are overwhelming favorites to snap a four-game losing streak when they host the injury-riddled Toronto Tempo on Saturday night.
With neither offense showing much life lately, I’m looking to the total in my Tempo vs. Mercury predictions and WNBA picks for Saturday, Aug. 29.
Tempo vs Mercury prediction
Tempo vs Mercury best bet: Under 174.5 -112
The Toronto Tempo and Phoenix Mercury are each poor on both ends of the court, but the lack of offensive firepower has been a consistent problem lately.
Toronto is averaging 78.6 ppg over their last five outings, while Phoenix ranks 11th in scoring this season at 83.7 ppg.
The one thing that might push the total higher would be the Tempo's...well, tempo. But Toronto's on the second game of a back-to-back, making it more likely to play at the Mercury's pace, which ranks fifth-slowest in the WNBA.
I'm backing the Under tonight at totals of 172.5 or more.
COVERS INTEL: The Mercury are averaging 0.94 points per play, a bottom-five figure in the WNBA, with the Tempo not much better at 0.95 points per play.
Tempo vs Mercury same-game parlay
The Tempo aren't winning games, but bettors have taken advantage of the fact that Toronto typically gets a lot of points.
The Tempo have now covered in six of their last eight games, while Phoenix is 1-7 ATS in its last eight. I'm taking Toronto to get the cover as long as the spread stays at +8.5 or more.
I'm rounding out my SGP tonight with a bet on Kiki Rice to hit the Over on her assists total. Rice has put up 5+ assists in five of her last eight games, coming up just short with four on two other occasions.
The Mercury allow opponents to rack up 21.5 assists per game, and I like Rice to take advantage of that tonight.
Tempo vs Mercury SGP +495
- Under 174.5
- Tempo +9.5
- Kiki Rice Over 4.5 assists
Want more basketball parlays? Check out our WNBA parlay picks page!
Tempo vs Mercury player prop pick
Kahleah Copper Over 22.5 points -108
Kahleah Copper is averaging 21.3 ppg this season for the Mercury and is the clear primary scorer for Phoenix with Kelsey Plum injured.
Copper is coming off a 35-point performance on Thursday, marking the second time in three games she's gone for 35+ points.
Toronto is the worst defensive team in the league, allowing 93.6 ppg and holding the league's highest defensive rating (115.1).
With her current heavy usage, Copper should find plenty of soft spots against the Tempo to hit her scoring Over tonight.
- Best bet: 27-28, -3.01 units
- SGP: 10-45, +1.53 units
- Player prop: 27-7, +17.91 units
Tempo vs Mercury odds
- Spread: Tempo +9.5 (-110) | Mercury -9.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Tempo +330 | Mercury -425
- Over/Under: Over 174.5 (-108) | Under 174.5 (-112)
Tempo vs Mercury trend
The Under is 4-0 in Toronto's last four games. Find more WNBA betting trends.
How to watch Tempo vs Mercury
| Location | Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ |
| Date | Saturday, August 29, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TSN, KPHE |
Tempo vs Mercury latest injuries
Tempo: Not yet submitted.
Mercury: Kahleah Copper (Probable), Kelsey Plum (Out), Marta Suarez (Questionable)
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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