Indiana Fever vs. Golden State Valkyries WNBA preview and prediction

The Indiana Fever and Golden State Valkyries face off for the second time in less than a week, this time in San Francisco, Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.

Catilin Clark shook off a back injury that sidelined her for one game and scored a game-high 22 points to go with nine assists as the Fever won at home last Friday, 90-82. Aliyah Boston had 20 points and 16 rebounds, Kelsey Mitchell added 19 points, and Sophie Cunningham provided 11 points off the bench as Indiana won its third straight and for the fourth time in five games.

Tiffany Hayes (19 points) and Kaitlyn Chen (18 points) both came off the bench to spark Golden State, which won three of four against Indiana last year. Veronica Burton added 17 points as the Valkyries wilted in the second half in the second game of a back-to-back. 

Golden State got back on the right side of things with a 97-70 victory over Connecticut on Monday. Gabby Williams had 15 points, and Kaila Charles added 12 points and seven assists as the Valkyries, who have seven players averaging eight points or more a game, continued to showcase their depth. 

Indiana Fever vs. Golden State Valkyries WNBA Odds and Betting Trends

Golden State is a slight 1.5-point favourite at home, and is +100 on the moneyline. Indiana, playing its first road game in more than two weeks and just its second this season, is at -120.

The Over/Under for this contest is 169.5 on the WNBA odds. Golden State has played to the Over in four of six games this season, but Indiana has played to the Under eight times in its last 10 road contests, dating back to last year.  

Indiana Fever

The Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 93.7 points per game, and are tied for eighth in points allowed with 87 per game. They score a lot, and they give up a lot. That is their M.O. Clark, who has led the team in scoring in each of her past four games, is third in the league at 23.8 points per game. She leads the league with 9.0 assists per contest. Mitchell is right behind her at 22.3 points per game, and Boston completes the productive triumvirate by averaging 16 points and 7.8 rebounds. 

This team has a legitimate shot at going deep in the postseason, but that scoring defence needs to improve. The team is fully healthy going into this contest, although Clark’s health is always a day-to-day concern. 

Golden State Valkyries

Golden State is also fully healthy right now. The Valkyries are even stingier at home, allowing an average of just 72.7 points per game while going 2-1 straight up and against the spread. 

Burton leads Golden State’s balanced attack with 14.3 points and 6.3 assists per game. Williams (13.5 PPG) has been a solid addition, coming over from Seattle in the offseason.  

WNBA Prediction: Who will win Fever vs. Valkyries?

Indiana pulled away at home last week. The Fever trailed by seven at the half before taking control in the third and pulling away late. 

Golden State will be fresher this time around. Look for the Valkyries to get a measure of revenge with an 83-80 victory. 

Best Bet: Golden State -1.5 (-110)

Score Prediction: Valkyries 83 | Fever 80