The Fever are hosting the Aces on Tuesday night for Game 2 of this first-round series between the clubs. The Aces took Game 1 and can advance to the semi-finals with a win. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Indiana is favored by 1.5 points for Game 2 and the contest carries a total of 183.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview, prediction, and pick for this matchup.
Fever vs. Aces Game 2 Preview
The Aces dominated the Fever in Game 1, 102-85. Las Vegas led for almost all of this contest and led by as many as 27 points. A’ja Wilson was unstoppable, posting 38 points and 16 rebounds on 15-of-19 shooting. Jackie Young also added a double-double of her own with 21 points and 10 assists, while Chelsea Grey and Jewell Loyd scored 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The Fever also got some solid outings from their role players with Raven Johnson and Sophie Cunningham scoring 14 and 13 points off the bench, respectively, but Indiana’s starters struggled. Aliyah Boston led the way with 18 points, but Caitlin Clark was held to just 15 points and Kelsey Mitchell scored just 12 points on 1-of-6 shooting.
In order for the Fever to beat the defending-champion Aces, Clark and Mitchell must be the elite scoring duo we know they are capable of being. Mitchell has thrived in this matchup, scoring 27+ points in her first three meetings vs. the Aces before Game 1, so she definitely could bounce back in Game 2. Clark, on the other hand, has had more issues in this matchup, scoring 12, 20 and 15 points on 38% shooting in her three games vs. Las Vegas.
Clark is obviously one of the best scorers in the WNBA, but Young is also one of the top guard defenders in the league and clearly knows how to bother Clark. The guard has been much more productive at home this season, scoring 24.7 PPG compared to 19.9 on the road, so maybe returning to Indiana tonight will bring out some magic from Clark. If that happens, the Fever will have a chance to even this series. But if Clark’s issues in this matchup continue and she doesn’t have a big scoring output, Indiana will be in trouble once again.
The Fever and Aces have split their four matchups against each other this season, but Las Vegas has won the last two and the club has been easily the best team in the WNBA recently, winning eight straight games by double digits. Meanwhile, Indiana has dropped five of its last nine.
Defeating the Aces right now feels impossible, but the Fever are one of the most talented teams in the WNBA. With their backs against the wall tonight, it will be interesting to see how they respond with the defending champions in their arena.
Fever vs. Aces Game 2 Pick, Best Bet
The Fever are a great team, but they got unlucky drawing the Aces in the first round – Indiana’s season should end tonight. Las Vegas has a strong formula to slow down Clark and the Aces look like a team that is ready to cruise through the playoffs to win their fourth championship in the last five years.
The Fever being a 1.5-point favorite this matchup is surprising, so backing the Aces to win this game on the Moneyline is an easy call.
