Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks Odds, Prediction, and Betting Tips
Indiana vs. Los Angeles Odds
| Indiana Odds | -1.5 |
| Los Angeles Odds | +1.5 |
| Over/Under | 165.5 |
| Date | Friday, May 24 |
| Time | 10:00 PM ET |
| TV | ION |
Friday’s WNBA slate features only one game, but fans likely won’t complain about getting to see Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink, the top two picks from this past draft, go head-to-head this evening.
Entering play, Clark and the Indiana Fever are still winless after back-to-back narrow defeats. Brink and the Sparks earned their first win of the young season on Tuesday and will be looking to get back to the .500 mark.
Ahead of tip-off this evening, Indiana is listed as a 1.5-point favorite over Los Angeles. The total for this contest is set at over/under 165.5 points.
Below, we break down the matchup for both teams and offer a free pick for the betting community!
Editor’s Note: Don’t live in a state with sports betting? Use our PrizePicks referral code & Underdog promo code GRINDERS for a combined $350 in sign-up bonuses for fantasy pick’em contests today.
Indiana Fever
Caitlin Clark, Fever still winless in 2024
After a pair of rough games to begin the regular season, Caitlin Clark has been much improved across the last week of action, averaging 20 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game during that stretch. Unfortunately for her team, it hasn’t been good enough to get in the win column.
Though Indiana has been more competitive in their last 3 losses, the fact remains that they are one of only two teams left in the WNBA without a win.
Indiana struggling on both ends of the floor
Through 5 games, Indiana ranks 10th out of 12 teams in offensive rating and dead last in defensive rating. The Fever have struggled across the board, including poor ball movement, too many turnovers, and subpar shot selection.
Perhaps most notable is that Indiana ranks 11th in rebound percentage heading into Friday. NaLyssa Smith and Aliyah Boston, the team’s top two rebounders from 2023, have both seen their production plummet to begin the new campaign. Improved efforts on the glass are one item on a laundry list of areas of needed improvement as this group looks to get the ship moving in the right direction.
Los Angeles Sparks
Sparks hoping for improved defensive effort on Friday
Though the Sparks have played only 3 games this season, the sample size is large enough to acknowledge that this team’s defense has not played at a high level. Outside of a win against the offensively-challenged Mystics, the Sparks have allowed 92 points to Atlanta and 89 points to Las Vegas.
Overall, Los Angeles ranks 9th in defensive rating, allowing 102 points per 100 possessions. They have been particularly poor defending the perimeter, allowing the 3rd-most above-the-break 3-point attempts and the 4th-highest success rate – an area of concern against the sharp-shooting Caitlin Clark.
Cameron Brink off to slow start in WNBA
Cameron Brink, the No. 2 overall draft selection behind Caitlin Clark in the most recent draft, hasn’t exactly played like an All-Star to begin her WNBA career. Following 11 points in her debut, she has scored only 7 points on 9 field goal attempts in 2 subsequent games.
On the bright side, she’s been an effective rebounder for the Sparks, and she’s tallied 11 blocks across her 3 games. Her strong defensive contributions have earned her more minutes with each passing game, playing a season-high 30 minutes this past Tuesday. Expect her to be a difference-maker in tonight’s matchup against Indiana.
Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun Prediction
UNDER 165.5 (-108), DraftKings
Though it’s still early in the season, it’s evident that both Indiana and Los Angeles are likely to struggle on the offensive end of the floor this season. Indiana ranks 10th in offensive rating, 10th in AST/TO ratio, 8th in eFG%, 8th in TS%, and 11th in pace. Los Angeles ranks 7th in offensive rating, 10th in AST/TO ratio, and 10th in pace – with only their good shot selection to write home about.
Neither of these defenses are elite either, but Brink has been strong defending around the rim, which should force Indiana to rely on perimeter shooting – a volatile game plan. The Sparks are turning the ball over more than any team in the WNBA early this season, which is likely to limit their overall effectiveness.
Both of these teams have their offensive flaws, and neither plays at a lightning-quick pace. The under makes sense here.
Image Credit: Getty Images