On Saturday, 06/22, the Las Vegas Aces (5-7) will host the Indiana Fever (6-6) in a WNBA regular-season matchup. The Aces have slipped to eighth place in the standings, whereas the Fiver are in the middle at the seventh spot.
Can the Aces bury their troubles against the Caitlin Clark-led Fever squad? Go through the predictions related to player props, total, and spread here.
Aces: What’s wrong with the 2x champs?
The Aces enter the game after a seven-point loss (83-90) against the Seattle Storm despite a 22-point performance by Jackie Young. The Aces shot a rather impressive 47.5% from the field but the Storm notched 6 more offensive rebounds and committed five fewer turnovers.
Thus, the Aces attempted ten fewer shots and lost despite their high field goal percentage. Their defense once again disappeared in clutch moments, which has been the story of their season.The departures of Kelsey Plum and Alysha Clark have hurt their two-way balance.
Jewell Loyd is yet to mesh in the system, but at least, she is coming along lately. On the other hand, only Aliyah Nye has been a significant two-way contributor off the bench,
Indiana Fever: Contenders or pretenders?
The Fever comes into this game after a disappointing 11-point loss (77-88) against the Golden State Valkyries despite a 17-point, 12-rebound performance by Aliyah Boston.
The Fever led by double-digits till the halfway point in the third quarter. However, the Valkyries rode the home crowd’s momentum and rallied for another impressive win.
Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase put together another defensive masterclass, as her team limited Caitlin Clark to a 3/14 shooting night, her worst one this season. As a result, the Fever missed out on a golden chance to build a three-game winning streak.
They are yet to win more than two in a row and have not performed as per the expectations thus far. At any rate, the team is in the Commissioner Cup Final, and a win there can help them generate momentum.
Fever Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Caitlin Clark | SG: Kelsey Mitchell | SG/SF: Lexie Hulld | PF: Natasha Howard | C: Aliyah Boston
Key bench players: SF: Sophie Cunningham, SG/SF: Sydney Colson, SF: Damiris Dantas
Injuries/Updates: DeWanna Bonner will be AWAY from the team for the fourth straight game due to “personal reasons”.
Aces Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Chelsea Gray | SG: Jackie Young | SG: Jewel Loyd | PF: A’ja Wilson | C: Alanna Smith”
Key bench players: SG: Dana Evans, SG: Aliyah Nye
Injuries/Updates: Megan Gustafson and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus are listed as “OUT”.
The Fever has usually given up 85+ points, but has the spark to contain teams under the 80 mark, too. On the other hand, the Aces have even worse defensive nights than the Fever.
Offensively, the Fever has the firepower to score 85+, whereas the Aces’ offense has been much more iffy these days. Overall, I see both teams scoring at least 83. But at the same I am confused that we will go over the projected score of 171.5. But still will opt “Over”.
Total: Over 171.5 for -105 at BetMGM
A’ja Wilson O 20.5 points: Wilson is not playing her best basketball this season, as her field goal % has been below 45% for the first time since 2021. She has scored 20 or fewer points in four straight games, but I see her going past the 20 mark here.
Caitlin Clark O 3.5 three-pointers: Clark was restricted to 0 threes in the last game (7 attempts). Before that, she had made 4 or more in a row in two straight games. CC is tallying 3.1 triples per game, and I expect her to breach that mark here.
Lexie Hull O 1.5 three-pointers: Hull is having a fantastic season, making 1.5 triples per game. Hull has made two or more triples in seven of the last ten games, and I expect her to make at least 2 here.
Main pick: Caitlin Clark Over 3.5 three-pointers for +125 at BetMGM
Both teams are yet to establish some momentum here. The Fever has looked better on the offensive end, though and if CC is clicking, they are most likely to win this game.
They have a terrific chance of pouncing on a team that is struggling massively. But don’t underestimate the experience of Aces and the hunger of A’ja Wilson to win. Thus, I’d favor the Aces to win this game.
Spread/Money Line Pick: ML: Aces for +110 at BetMGM
*Odds will be updated when they are released.
Photo Credit: Grace Smith- Imagn Images
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