Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics: WNBA Preview and Prediction
The Fever have lost three straight road games, including Saturday’s 83-75 setback at the New York Liberty. Kelsey Mitchell had 21 points and 7 rebounds, Monique Billings had 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Aliyah Boston chipped in with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
Caitlin Clark had 9 assists and 7 rebounds, but she only scored 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting.
Meanwhile, the Mystics had perhaps their worst performance of the season Saturday in a 109-77 beatdown in Atlanta. Kiki Iriafen had 24 points, while Sonia Citron added 18 points and 6 assists, but the Mystics were outrebounded, 42-26, and their bench was outscored by Atlanta’s, 40-24.
Washington scored a 104-102 victory over the Fever in Indiana 24 days ago, and looks to do the same thing tonight at home.
Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics WNBA Odds and Betting Trends
On the WNBA odds board, Indiana is a 5.5-point favourite on the road and is -220 on the money line. The Mystics are +180. Washington easily covered last month in Indiana as an 8.5-point dog.
The Fever are just 1-5 straight up and 1-4-1 against the spread on the road going back to the end of last season.
The Over/Under for this contest is 169.5. The Mystics have played to the Over in 4 of their past 5 games.
Indiana Fever
The Fever have two pressing concerns right now. Clark has, at least temporarily, lost her scoring touch. She is averaging just 12.3 points over her last four games, shooting just 28% (14/50) from the field during that stretch. She does have a nagging back issue, although she’s only missed one game this season.
The Mystics could cure what ails her, as she scored a season-high 32 points against them. In that contest, she had 17 points in the fourth quarter.
The bigger concern is Boston’s right lower leg, which she injured during Unrivaled league play in February. It’s already forced her to miss the first game of her WNBA career, and she had to leave the Liberty game temporarily. Her status obviously affects all game predictions.
Washington Mystics
The Atlanta beatdown was bad, and it showed the improving Mystics still have a way to go to be regarded as legitimate playoff contenders.
Citron looked solid in her return from a one-game absence due to a left foot sprain. She and Iriafen are the dual faces of this franchise for the foreseeable future. They combined for 55 points in last month’s win over the Fever.
That being said, fifth-year center Shakira Austin is having perhaps her best season. She’s averaging a career-high 16 points and 8.2 rebounds. She had a season-low 7 points against Atlanta, the first time she failed to score at least 12 points this season.
The youngest team in the league needs all the veteran leadership it can get, and Austin qualifies.
WNBA Prediction: Who will win Fever vs. Mystics?
Boston’s availability lingers over this prediction, but the Mystics should already be plenty motivated after Saturday’s shoddy showing. Look for Austin to rebound, and for Citron and Iriafen to post their usual numbers.
Look for Clark to get back into her usual 17-to-22-point range, but the Fever, who are just 1-3 away from home, are susceptible on the road.
Take the Mystics to win, 92-88.