Fever vs. Aces WNBA Playoffs Betting Odds, Picks: Indiana is a Short Underdog in Winner-Take-All Game 3
The Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces meet Thursday at 9 p.m. ET in a winner-take-all Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.
Las Vegas opened the series with a 102-85 home victory before Indiana responded with a 99-89 win on Tuesday to force the series back to Michelob ULTRA Arena.
Caitlin Clark led the Fever with 27 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds in Game 2, becoming the first WNBA player to record at least 25 points and 15 assists in a game. Kelsey Mitchell added 26 points, while Aliyah Boston had 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces WNBA Odds and Betting Trends
Las Vegas is a 4.5-point home favourite at -185 on the moneyline, while Indiana is +155. The total sits at 181.5 on the WNBA odds.
The first two games have easily cleared that number, producing 187 and 188 combined points.
Las Vegas has been strong at home, going 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 games as a home favourite. Indiana, however, won both regular-season meetings in Las Vegas before splitting the first two playoff games.
Indiana Fever
Indiana responded emphatically after Las Vegas shot 59.4 per cent from the field in Game 1.
Clark controlled Game 2 with her scoring and passing despite fouling out with 2:45 remaining. Mitchell and Boston gave Indiana three 20-point scorers, with the trio combining for 75 of the Fever’s 99 points.
The Fever also dominated inside, scoring 58 points in the paint after struggling defensively in the series opener.
Indiana remains without Tyasha Harris, who suffered a season-ending broken left fibula in the regular-season finale. Clark is listed as probable with a back issue, while Boston is probable with a leg injury.
Clark will again be the key. She had only 15 points and committed six turnovers in Game 1 before responding with 27 points and 15 assists as Indiana faced elimination.
Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas returns home after missing an opportunity to close out the series in Indianapolis.
A’ja Wilson scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Game 2 after dominating the opener with 38 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. Jackie Young led Las Vegas with 31 points on Tuesday, while Chelsea Gray added 14 points and nine assists.
The Aces will need a better defensive performance after Indiana shot 54.4 per cent and scored 99 points in Game 2.
Las Vegas is also without NaLyssa Smith, who suffered a season-ending leg injury last month.
Wilson remains Indiana’s biggest matchup problem, but the Fever showed on Tuesday they can match Las Vegas offensively when Clark, Mitchell, and Boston are all producing.
WNBA Prediction: Who will win Fever vs. Aces?
Las Vegas deserves to be favoured at home, but Indiana has already won twice at Michelob ULTRA Arena this season and showed in Game 2 that its offence can keep pace.
The Fever getting 4.5 points provides some protection in what should be another high-scoring, competitive game.
Best bet: Take Indiana +4.5.
Score prediction: Las Vegas 94-92 Indiana