Almost a third of the way through the WNBA season, the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever have to be somewhat disappointed with their start.
The Fever sit at 6-6, and are looking to build on last year’s playoff appearance. Last year’s 20-20 record is the benchmark, and another .500 year would be displeasing. However, they do have a date with the Minnesota Lynx for the Commissioner’s Cup Championship, which would be a major step in the Caitlin Clark era.
The Aces have no Cup to hang their hat on. At 5-7 following their loss to the Storm, things are quickly unraveling in Vegas. The Jewell Loyd acquisition has not filled the hole Kelsey Plum left behind. The role players haven’t adequately filled the gaps between Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson. Some uncomfortable questions will be asked in Las Vegas if this keeps up.
The Fever are 1.5-point favorites on the road and are -122 on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at 169.5 points. Let’s look at the best bets and predictions for this contest.
Aces vs. Fever Prediction
While the gap between Indiana and Las Vegas is only one game in the standings, it’s much wider on the court. Indiana has the league’s fourth-best offensive and defensive rating this season, adding up to a +7.1 net rating. Vegas is ninth in both categories, sitting at a -5.7 net rating. Both teams may look like fringe playoff squads on the surface, but they’re in vastly different tiers. Nobody would be shocked to see the Fever in the Conference Finals; the Aces making it out of the first round would be a shock.
Though it is a road game, I’m surprised to see this line implying these teams are close to even. Right now, they are not.
Aces vs. Fever Pick
Indiana Fever -1.5 (-110)
I am not a believer in the Aces right now. And, until they prove me wrong, I’ll keep fading them against teams at or above their level.
This Fever team has depth and wants to push the pace. Clark is the face of that, but they have a lot of players who can burn you offensively. On top of that, they have Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard providing tons of defensive value. Those two will be tasked with keeping Wilson under wraps. And while few can stop three-time MVP, they can slow her down.
