The Fire are hosting the Tempo on Thursday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Portland is favored by 2.5 points and this game carries a total of 187.5 points.
Let’s get into my pick and prediction for this contest.
Fire vs. Tempo Preview
The Fire and Tempo are the WNBA’s two expansion teams this season and the new franchises have had nearly identical poor results so far. Portland is 11-19 and ranks 13th in net rating while Toronto is 10-20 and ranks 14th in net rating. Entering tonight, both these squads are in the midst of losing streaks, as the Fire have lost five straight and the Tempo have lost seven straight.
The Tempo rank eighth in offensive rating, but dead last in defensive rating, whereas the Fire rank second-to-last in defensive rating and 10th in offensive rating. These clubs have matched up once this season, back on May 23rd in Toronto and the Fire won pretty easily that night, 99-80.
For tonight’s rematch, things look different for both sides. Sarah Ashlee Barker (knee) and Teja Oblak (doubtful, knee) will both be out for Portland, while for Toronto, Brittney Sykes (knee) is out and Marina Mabrey (neck) is questionable.
Barker and Oblak both rank top-six in plus/minus for the Fire, but they are role players, while Mabrey and Sykes are the Tempo’s leading scorers, both averaging around 20 points apiece, so the Tempo’s injuries are definitely more worrisome and Mabrey sitting would be a big loss.
The neck injury forced the first-time All-Star to miss this past Sunday’s matchup vs. the Valkyries and Golden State ran away with a win, 96-79. The Tempo played the Valkyries again Tuesday and Mabrey was able to suit up, but she struggled, scoring just 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting in the 92-81 loss. The Valkyries do lead the WNBA in defensive rating, so this was a terrible matchup, but the neck injury likely also was a factor in her poor performance.
The Fire are a much easier matchup than the Valkyries, so Mabrey could get back on track if she suits up, but her putting up big points hasn’t translated into much team success for the Tempo this season. If Mabrey sits, Toronto will be really thin on scoring threats, with Nyara Sabally, Maria Conde and Kiki Rice being the best remaining options.
For the Fire, Barker and Oblak are sidelined, but Portland’s top options in Bridget Carleton and Carla Leite are healthy right now. These two lead the team with 15.5 and 14.4 PPG, respectively. Megan DiLeo also has had some big games up front recently, scoring 19+ points in three of her last four, but none of these showings have resulted in wins.
Fire vs. Tempo Pick, Best Bet
Both the Fire and Tempo are flawed teams that are struggling, but the Tempo are healthier right now and they will be on their home floor tonight, giving them the edge over this Tempo team that the Fire have proven they can beat.
Portland should win this game and the safe route is to back the club to win on the moneyline.
