The Wings are playing host to the Fever tonight. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Indiana is favored by 4.5 points and the matchup carries a total of O/U 168 points.
Below, I break down the matchup between the Wings and the Fever and give a pick for the game.
Wings vs. Fever preview, prediction
The Wings sit dead last in the Western Conference at 8-20 and rank 11th in net rating this season, but they’ve improved recently. In the club’s last two games, they beat the Liberty 92-82 on Monday –– albeit with Breanna Stewart (knee) sidelined –– and then nearly upset the Dream on Wednesday, losing 88-85. Paige Bueckers has been excellent in her rookie season for the Wings, leading the team with 18.3 PPG and Arike Ogunbowale has been strong with 16.0 PPG in her seventh season in the WNBA.
As for the Fever, the team is 15-12 and ranks fourth in net rating this season. Indiana is expected to remain without Caitlin Clark (groin) on Friday, but the team has still won three straight games. After not missing any games in college or during her rookie season, Clark has now missed 15 games this season but Indiana has posted a solid 8-7 record with her sidelined. With Clark out, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald have all elevated their game and the Fever’s defense has looked outstanding.
Friday marks the third matchup of the season between these two squads. Indiana won both contests, once by eight and another by 19 points. The latter and more lopsided victory came with Clark active, where she posted a double-double. This should be a competitive affair with Clark sidelined and the Wings’ recent play, especially with this tilt in Dallas. The Fever are just 6-6 on the road this season and while the Wings’ 5-9 home record is nothing to brag about, it is far better than the club’s 3-11 record on the road.
Wings vs. Fever pick, best bet
The Fever are very used to playing without Clark nowadays and while the Wings should put up a fight, Indiana should prevail Friday and improve to 3-0 against Dallas this season. The Fever have won three in a row, all by at least six points. In this spot, Indiana should cover this 4.5-point spread.