With the Sparks on the road in Indiana, this is the first time this season these two have faced off. This is a game that the Sparks need, though, as they sink further into this losing streak. On the other hand, the Fever are without Caitlin Clark, but even in her absence, there has been a lot to like about this group. We’ll see if LA can pull off the upset or if the Fever will continue their climb upwards.
Caitlin Clark Out
Damiris Dantas Out
Cameron Brink Out
Odyssey Sims Out
Julie Allemand Out
Rae Burrell Out
Well, then things look grim; they can always worsen. That’s the situation in LA right now after a brutal loss in Chicago on Tuesday. With that loss, the Sparks are officially on a four-game losing streak, facing a tough schedule ahead. Even though this team has talent on paper, injuries and a weak defense continue to hold them back. Now, on the road in Indiana, things aren’t getting any easier, even without Clark playing.
The Sparks are in a tough spot facing the Fever. They lack the defensive presence to slow down this Fever backcourt. Additionally, they don’t have enough shooting from role players to compete in a shootout. It’s a lose-lose situation heading into this game, but the news isn’t all bad. Kelsey Plum continues to carry this team. With some help from Hamby and Stevens, they have a few pieces that can make a difference. It’s just that with injuries, everything has fallen on those three. They’ve managed to steal a couple of games, but it feels like the season is starting to weigh heavily on them.
The Fever, on the other hand, has been unpredictable. With Clark missing several games already this season, the team has had to find new leaders. In that, they’ve seen Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston rise to the top, becoming one of the most effective inside-out scoring duos in the league. Mitchell's ability to drive to the basket or hit outside shots, combined with Boston’s relentless attack on the rim, is impressive. Of course, the real X-factor on this team is Clark, but with her away, these two are more than capable of handling the load. However, the key difference will come down to the supporting cast. The Fever simply has more depth, with the ability to run their offense through multiple players on the court. Overall, they’re just a more well-rounded team.
I don’t think we’ll see the Sparks pull off the upset tonight. They’re struggling to find any positive momentum, and with this being their third straight road game, I have even less confidence. I expect the Fever to win this one easily. So that’s why I’m going with the Fever moneyline, over on the 167 points total, and the -5.5 Fever spread.
Money line: LAS (+195) / IND (-238)
Total Points: 167
Spread: +5.5 LAS (-110) / -5.5 IND (-110)
With Clark out again tonight, Mitchell will be the one to take the extra shots. She’s been consistent both with and without Caitlin this year, but tonight she’ll have a great opportunity to make her mark on the game. She’s averaging 19 points a game in March, with her last two games exceeding expectations. Even against Kelsy Plum, I believe Mitchell will be the go-to scorer tonight.
Sometimes you just have to ride the hot hand. Boston was incredible the other night against Seattle, dropping 31 points in 33 minutes. She was a monster down low. Going against a decent front court in Stevens and Hamby, she’ll have her work cut out for her, but with the line set at 15.5, I feel good about the over.
Plum remains the heart of this team. She keeps everything running, especially on offense. This line seems a bit low for her assists, considering she’s averaging 5.4 per game this season. She has already exceeded this line in nine of the Sparks' 15 games this year. Taking the over is an easy call.
Stevens' rebounding numbers this season have been solid. She’s the leading rebounder for the Sparks, and given her playing time, it’s unlikely she won’t reach at least 8 boards. She’s averaging 8.7 rebounds per game this season, with 10 of her 15 games featuring 8 or more boards. The over is looking great again tonight for Stevens.