On Tuesday, 06/24, the Seattle Storm (9-5) will host the Indiana Fever (6-7) in a WNBA regular-season matchup. The Storm has climbed to the fifth spot, whereas the Fever has slipped to the seventh spot.
Can Caitlin Clark and her Fever get a much-needed win here? Check the predictions related to player props, total, and spread here.
Storm: Living up to the potential
The Storm comes into this game after an impressive 89-79 win against the New York Liberty, who were without two of their main players, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones.
The Storm didn’t have the most efficient night, making 8 triples on 30.8% shooting, but their defense rescued them again. They forced 20 turnovers while committing just 10. Nneka Ogwumike was their match-winner with another 26-point performance on an excellent 12/17 shooting(70.5%).
The rest of the starters shot 16/55(29%). It was their third straight win, and they have won six of their last seven games. It includes a win against the league-best Minnesota Lynx.
The Storm has been dialed in on the defensive end, and unlike the start of the season, they are finishing games in the clutch. Ogwumike’s terrific shooting rhythm has also played a vital role in their turnaround.
Indiana Fever: Some major concerns
The Fever enters the match-up after a disappointing 81-89 loss against the Las Vegas Aces. Caitlin Clark had another horrendous shooting night, making only one out of ten attempts from three-point range.
She is now 1/17 from deep in the last two games. For the second straight game, the Fever built a decent lead, but then lost their way around the halfway mark of the third quarter.
The Aces finished with a 31-20 run in the final quarter, leaving the Fever defense red-faced. The Fever’s outside defense has been excellent as they allow a league-low 26.5%. However, the team allows the third-most two-pointers (21.5).
They have now lost two games in a row that they should have won. Now, they face a tough opponent to get out of the two-game funk.
Fever Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Caitlin Clark | SG: Lexie Hull | SG: Kelsey Mitchell | PF: Natasha Howard | C: Aliyah Boston
Key bench players: SG/SF: Sydney Colson, SG/SF: Sophie Cunningham
Injuries/Updates: DeWanna Bonner has missed four games while being AWAY from the team due to “personal reasons”.
Storm Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Skylar Diggins | PG: Erica Wheeler | SF: Gabby Williams | PF: Nneka Ogwumike | C: Ezi Magbebor
Key bench players: SF: Alysha Clark
Injuries/Updates: Katie Lou Samuelson remains OUT
The Storm’s offense has been straight fire for a couple of weeks. Seattle has scored 89 or more during five of the last six games. On the other hand, their defense has shown full capability to limit opponents under 80.
As for the Fever, they have a strong offensive unit, and usually score from the early 80s to the mid-80s. They can breach the Seattle defense, too, but for that, CC needs to break her two-game slide. Overall, I see the total going past 165 at least.
Nneka Ogwumike O 22.5 points: Fever’s interior defense is not equipped to handle the post-maestro Ogwumike. She has scored 25-26 points in three straight games, and I expect her to continue the red-hot form.
Caitlin Clark O 20.5 points: Clark scored 19 in the last game and 11 in the game before that. Both times, going below the season average of 19.8 PPG. I expect her to bounce back with a 20+ points performance here.
Gabby Williams O 5.5 assists: Storm’s all-around Wing Gabby Williams has notched 7 or more assists in four of the six games. I expect her to continue the trend.
Main pick: Nneka Ogwumike Over 22.5 points at BetMGM
The Storm is obviously the better squad in most ways than not. Their experience and roster balance have been shining even against elite teams. Thus, Fever, who is under the pump, must be feeling the heat for this encounter.
But Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston are well-versed in responding to the pressure. They both must have a big night to counter the deep scoring pool of Seattle. But will they? I think even if they do, Seattle will prevail, thus I pick them to win this game.
Spread/Money Line Pick: ML: Storm for -110 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Christine Tannous- Imagn Images
nba Hi, I am Shubham. I am currently an NBA Predictions Writer on The Playoffs. I enjoy this job because it helps keep me in the loop about the game I love while fulfilling the pleasure I derive from stats. I got into NBA writing through social media interactions in the mid-2010s as I shared my takes on young talents such as D’Angelo Russell. I hope you enjoy reading my pieces as much as Dennis Rodman loved rebounding the basketball!
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