The Phoenix Mercury visit the Toronto Tempo on Saturday afternoon as clear road underdogs. Toronto opened as a three-point favorite, yet the number has since climbed to six. A suspension and a thin Phoenix bench have reshaped this line in a hurry. The public has reacted strongly, and that pile-on is exactly where value can hide. Our card leans into the points, and one total angle stands out as well.
Last Updated: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Phoenix Mercury vs. Toronto Tempo — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| When | Saturday, June 27 – 2:00 PM ET |
| TV | CBS (TSN in Canada) |
Phoenix Mercury vs. Toronto Tempo Game Preview
The expansion Toronto Tempo have surprised plenty of people in their debut season. They enter Saturday at 9-9 and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference. Coach Sandy Brondello has them pushing the pace, and the offense ranks near the top of the league at 91.4 points per game. Marina Mabrey paces the attack, and she recently poured in a career-high 37 points while tying the single-game record with nine made threes.
However, the Tempo are far from airtight. They allow 92.1 points per night, which ranks near the bottom of the WNBA. That leaky defense keeps games close even when Toronto scores in bunches. For more on how this roster has been trending, see our recent Toronto Tempo betting breakdown.
Phoenix arrives in rougher shape. The Mercury are 3-8 and seventh in the West, though they just stunned Indiana 111-109 on Thursday. The bigger story is who will not suit up. Forward Alyssa Thomas is serving a one-game suspension that lands on this date after a Flagrant 2 against Caitlin Clark.
The injury sheet adds to the strain. Sami Whitcomb remains out with a knee issue, and Monique Akoa Makani is day-to-day with a hamstring problem. Phoenix also plays on the second night of a back-to-back after traveling north of the border. In short, a shorthanded roster faces a rested, high-scoring host.
Phoenix Mercury vs. Toronto Tempo Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | +6 (-110) | +185 | U 177.5 (-115) |
| Tempo | -6 (-110) | -225 | O 177.5 (-105) |
Odds accurate as of June 27, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest WNBA Odds – Futures – Props
Phoenix Mercury vs. Toronto Tempo — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Mercury | 34% | 66% | Tempo |
See the latest WNBA Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Mercury vs. Tempo Prediction — Can a Depleted Mercury Hang On the Road?
The line movement frames this one nicely. Toronto opened at three points and now sits at six, and that jump landed right alongside the suspension news. As the table above shows, the public has piled onto the home side. When a number moves three points and the percentages stack this lopsided, contrarian value often forms on the other side.
Six points is a wide number in the WNBA, where margins tend to stay tight. Toronto’s defense ranks near the bottom of the league, so blowouts are not really their style. The Tempo win with offense, not with stops, and that profile usually keeps the back door open for a dog. Phoenix also just proved it can score in a track meet, dropping 111 on Indiana two nights ago.
The other side is fair, though. Phoenix is missing a star, a key guard, and possibly a second one, all while running on a back-to-back. A rested Toronto squad at home could pull away in the second half. Still, the line already reflects those absences after the three-point climb. With the public loading up on the favorite, the value points toward the visitor and the cushion.
The Pick: Phoenix Mercury +6 (-110)
Mercury vs. Tempo Best Bet — Will the Scoreboard Keep Spinning in Toronto?
Toronto plays at one of the quickest tempos in the league, and the defense rarely slows anyone down. Phoenix just showed its own offense still has life, even without its full rotation. Both traits point toward points, and the market has already nudged this total upward. A leaky host plus a willing scorer usually adds up.
On the other hand, missing Thomas removes a major piece of the Phoenix attack. Fatigue from the back-to-back could sap the visitor’s legs in the fourth quarter. Even so, Toronto’s pace alone tends to lift the scoreboard, and 177.5 feels reachable when the home team defends this loosely.
The Pick: Over 177.5 (-105)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
For bettors who like the underdog, the moneyline offers a higher-upside swing on the same idea. Phoenix at plus money only needs an outright upset, not a six-point cover. The Mercury showed real fight in their last outing, and Toronto’s defense gives any opponent a path. This is a correlated play, so treat it as a smaller add rather than a core position.
The risk is obvious. A shorthanded road team on a back-to-back can run out of gas against a rested host. That is why the spread remains the steadier choice and the moneyline stays a sprinkle.
The Pick: Phoenix Mercury moneyline (+185)
To recap our card for Saturday: Phoenix Mercury +6 (-110), Over 177.5 (-105), and a smaller play on the Phoenix Mercury moneyline (+185). For more action across the league, check our latest WNBA picks coverage.
WNBA Mercury vs. Tempo Prediction FAQ
What time does the Phoenix Mercury vs. Toronto Tempo game start?
Tip-off is set for 2:00 PM ET on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
What channel is the Phoenix Mercury vs. Toronto Tempo game on?
The game airs nationally on CBS in the United States and on TSN in Canada.
Who is favored in the Phoenix Mercury vs. Toronto Tempo game?
Toronto is a six-point home favorite. Phoenix sits at +185 on the moneyline as the road underdog.
Is Alyssa Thomas playing for Phoenix against Toronto?
No. Thomas is serving a one-game suspension on this date and will not play against the Tempo.
What are the records for the Mercury and Tempo this season?
Toronto enters at 9-9 and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Phoenix is 3-8 and seventh in the Western Conference.