WNBA picks, odds for Wednesday

Solely the Minnesota Lynx (10) have gained extra WNBA video games because the All-Star/Olympics break than the Indiana Fever (eight).

After a dreadful 1-8 begin, Indiana is now 19-17 and seeded sixth for the upcoming playoffs.

Indiana has proven that it might beat the highest groups within the league on a given day, with victories over Minnesota, New York and Connecticut.

On Wednesday night time, the Fever will hope so as to add Las Vegas to that record.

The Aces gained every of the 2 earlier conferences at dwelling and comfortably coated each double-digit level spreads. 

The final time the groups performed each other, Vegas closed as 13-point favorites, however now, they’re solely laying as little as two factors on the highway.

Whereas there’s an opportunity the sportsbooks have dramatically upgraded Indiana’s energy ranking, a greater rationalization for the purpose unfold may be the standing of A’ja Wilson’s proper ankle.

The 2-time MVP missed her first recreation in three years and shall be a game-time determination in opposition to the Fever.

Given her uncertainty, if the Aces present any vulnerability, it’ll possible be early within the recreation throughout the first quarter.

Aces vs. Fever odds

Las Vegas Aces outlook

Las Vegas has had roughly a 10-point drop in web ranking (15.3 to five.5) in comparison with final season. 

There’s been a noticeable shift inside the league, as the highest 4 defensive groups have allowed between 94.5 and 95.8 factors per 100 possessions, in comparison with 2023 when the highest 4 had scores ranging between 97.7 and 100.0.

Las Vegas was the crew that led the league in defensive effectivity final 12 months, however now it’s not even within the prime 4.

With protection enhancing across the league, Las Vegas isn’t scoring with the identical proficiency because it as soon as did and hasn’t managed to maintain tempo with the higher defensive groups.

Indiana (103.8) has turn out to be electrical on offense, trailing solely the Liberty (106.7) and Aces (105.6) in effectivity.

Nevertheless, when the Fever performs at dwelling, their offensive ranking jumps as much as 106.2, which is the second-best mark within the W.

Indiana Fever outlook 

Whereas there was loads of criticism concerning the Fever’s begin, its detractors usually uncared for to say the brutal schedule the crew needed to face.

Indiana performed seven video games in opposition to the Solar, Liberty, Storm and Aces to begin the season.

It was a steep studying curve for the Fever’s rookie level guard, Caitlin Clark, who needed to modify to the league’s physicality.

Nonetheless, these early struggles may’ve been the most effective factor for Clark’s improvement in incomes respect across the league.

There’s no method anybody can dispute her high quality now given all of the WNBA information she’s both damaged or tied in her rookie 12 months:

• Most assists in a WNBA recreation (19)
• Most assists by a rookie in an All-Star recreation (10)
• Quickest Participant to achieve 400 factors and 200 assists
• First rookie to report a triple-double
• Single-season 3-pointers by a rookie

With 4 video games remaining within the common season, Clark can nonetheless add to her accomplishments as she’s 52 factors away from breaking the rookie scoring report (744 factors) set by Seimone Augustus in 2006. 

Clark’s perimeter risk and skill to create simple scoring alternatives for her teammates have resulted in Indiana having a league-best Efficient Subject Purpose Proportion (52.1%).

Aces vs. Fever decide

There’s a buzz anytime Clark steps onto the court docket, and that pleasure is especially heightened in entrance of her dwelling followers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Aces embarrassed the Fever within the two dwelling video games, however Indiana is a totally completely different crew from the one they met earlier within the season.

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Within the first quarter, Indiana ranks tenth with a -7.1 Web Ranking, however when it’s at dwelling, that quantity jumps to +7.5 with a 109.2 offensive effectivity, second behind solely New York.

When Indiana misplaced each video games to the Aces, it led by 4 factors after the primary quarter in a single and trailed by solely two factors within the different.

The true query is whether or not Indiana can put collectively 4 good quarters in opposition to Las Vegas.

Nonetheless, there’s an honest likelihood Indiana begins quick, particularly if Wilson doesn’t play. 

Greatest guess: Fever Q1 moneyline (+104, FanDuel)