Down the stretch of the WNBA season, a lot of games have huge playoff implications. Thursday night’s contest between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury is one of the biggest on this week’s slate.
If the season ended today, that would make the Mercury the fourth seed and the Fever the fifth. It would mean the two face off in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. With only a game and a half separating the two teams, the importance of this game cannot be overstated. Both squads will be at full tilt in an attempt to win this one.
The Mercury are four-point favorites at home and hold -205 odds on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is set at 170.5 points. Let’s look at the best bets and predictions for this Fever-Mercury contest.
Mercury vs. Fever prediction, pick
Despite being solidified playoff teams, it hasn’t been an easy road for the Fever or the Mercury.
Indiana has only had superstar Caitlin Clark available for 13 out of 30 games. Despite that, they’ve managed exceptionally well. That includes a Commissioner’s Cup Championship win over the Minnesota Lynx without Clark, and they continue to hold their own and more. Indiana has positioned itself well for Clark’s return and has the tools to make a deep playoff run with her back in the fold.
Phoenix has had injury struggles of its own. Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, and Alyssa Thomas have all missed time this season. That trio shows a ton of promise, but they haven’t been on the floor consistently. While their stars have coalesced well, their depth has left much to be desired. It’s a promising formula they’ve built, but one that has struggled recently after losing six of their last nine.
Even without a clean bill of health, I find myself having more trust in the Fever. Kelsey Mitchell has been excellent in driving the offense, and Aliyah Boston anchors the defense as well as any center. And with solid underdog odds, Indiana has the value here.
