On Saturday, 06/14, the Indiana Fever (4-5) will host the New York Liberty (9-0) in a WNBA regular-season matchup. The Fever have slipped to seventh place, whereas the Liberty is the #1 team in the league.
Will Caitlin Clark return here to help her team beat the only undefeated team in the league? Check the predictions related to player props, total, and spread here.
Indiana Fever: Desperately needed their ace back
The Fever comes into this game after a 19-point loss against the Atlanta Dream, as Natasha Howard had 15 points and 10 rebounds. It was their worst loss of the season, as they had lost all their previous games by 6 points or fewer.
The team did a decent job of tallying a 2-3 record without Caitlin Clark, and her arrival couldn’t come at the best time possible.
Clark will fix the team’s playmaking woes and also give ‘em a boost scoring-wise. Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard have been inconsistent in the frontcourt, while Kelsey Mitchell has been a mixed bag on offense. Overall, the Fever’s 4-5 record isn’t a correct reflection of their talent level.
They need to improve their rebounding as they grab 32.7 rebounds per game (9 out of 13) while allowing 35.9 RPG(11th). In the positives, they allow just 6 threes per game (2nd) on 28.3% FG(1st)
New York Liberty: Indomitable
The Liberty enters the match after a 19-point win against the Chicago Sky (85-66) as Sabrina Ionescu had a 23-point, 7-assist effort. It was their ninth straight win, and the Liberty has 41 wins in 49 games if we take the 2024 season into account.
Thus, the 2024 champions are up for their second title in a row.
The Liberty is once again ringing the bell at a high clip. They are #1 across almost all major metrics. The team is shooting 47.8%(1st) while making a league-high 11.6 three-pointers per game (1st).
They also restrict teams to just 37.2% shooting, and a net difference of 10+ % FG says it all. The Liberty has both the best offensive and defensive rating, scoring the most, and conceding the least.
They are a living nightmare for the rest of the squads. The duo of Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart has an amazing support cast around them. The acquisition of Natasha Cloud has taken the team to a whole other level.
Liberty Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Natasha Cloud | PG: Sabrina Ionescu | SG/SF: Rebekah Gardner | PF: Breanna Stewart | C: Nyara Sabally
Key bench players: PG: Marinne Johannes, PF: Isabelle Harrison, PF: Kennedy Burke.
Injuries/Updates: Leone Fiebich is OUT due to EuroBasket duties. Jonquel Jones’ status is UNKNOWN.
Fever Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Caitlin Clark | SG: Kelsey Mitchell | SG: Sydney Colson | PF: Natasha Howard | C: Aliyah Boston
Key bench players: SF: DeWanna Bonner, PF: Damiris Dantas, SG: Lexie Hull, SG: Aari McDonald.
Injuries/Updates: Caitlin Clark can RETURN in this game after a five-game absence. Sophie Cunningham’s status is UNKNOWN.
The Liberty has the potential to score 90 or more in many games; meanwhile, the Fever usually scores in the early 80s. Defensively, New York can contain teams below 80 regularly, while Indiana allows 80-85 points usually.
The last game between the two teams produced 178 points, and CC was present back then. I see the total going in the 160s this time around so I am going for the “Under” here.
Breanna Stewart O 19.5 points: The Liberty forward has been in amazing rhythm, scoring 19 PPG on 53.8% FG. She has scored 20+ in four games thus far. I believe she will put up 20+ or so in this game.
Natasha Howard O 12.5 points: The Fever forward had a slow start to the season, but is getting her feet back, scoring 13 or more in two straight games. I believe she will capitalize on her rhythm here.
Sabrina Ionescu O 2.5 three-pointers: Ionescu has made 2.7 three-pointers on a 33.3% FG from deep. She has made just 2 in the last two games, but I believe she will make over 2.5 threes again.
Main pick: Points: Breanna Stewart Over 19.5 points at BetMGM
The Fever are in dire need of a win against a high-quality squad. If Clark had been active in previous games, the Fever could have been fancied to break the Liberty’s streak. Even the EuroBasket doesn’t impact Liberty’s chances of securing a win. Overall, I see them covering the spread here.
Spread/Money Line Pick: Spread: Liberty -4.5 for -115 at BetMGM
*Odds will be updated when they are released.
Photo Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images
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