Two teams fighting to improve their playoff position will face off on Friday night as the Indiana Fever host the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Mercury (14-12) entered the Olympic break on a two-game winning streak, but come in as road underdogs to the Fever (11-15), who currently sit as the No. 7 seed in WNBA postseason rankings.
I’ll break down why Indiana should continue its recent success against Phoenix in my free Mercury vs. Fever predictions and WNBA picks for August 16.
Mercury vs Fever predictions
My best bet
Fever -2.5 (-114 at FanDuel)
My analysis
Despite the Indiana Fever starting the season with a 1-8 record, Caitlin Clark & Co. have done a remarkable job at turning their season around.
Now in playoff position and having won games against the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx in July, Indiana is a dangerous team in any matchup. Against run-of-the-mill competition, the Fever are as solid as anyone else in the league.
That has shown itself in the team’s two earlier meetings against the Phoenix Mercury, in which they’ve gone 2-0 this season.
Although Indiana's overall record hasn't been overwhelmingly impressive after its slow start, the Fever are 6-1 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse over their past seven home games. The Fever are also 7-4 against the spread at home, having covered with six and nine-point wins in both of their previous matchups against Phoenix.
With oddsmakers posting only a modest spread tonight, I’m taking Indiana to cover.
Dishing dimes
My best bet
Caitlin Clark Over 10.5 assists (-114 at FanDuel)
My analysis
Any Clark fan can tell you that the former Iowa standout has been an assist machine in the WNBA. Clark currently leads the league with 8.2 assists per game, but that doesn’t begin to tell the story of how well she has been distributing the ball for the Fever.
Clark averaged 12.5 assists during Indiana’s six games in July. That included a stunning 19-assist performance against Dallas in the final game before the break.
Overall, Clark has put up at least 11 assists in seven of his last nine games, a level of sustained success that far outstrips her prior production. Coming off a long rest against a weak defensive team, Clark is likely to continue picking up big numbers as a distributor.
Mercury vs Fever same-game parlay (SGP)
Fever -2.5
Caitlin Clark Over 10.5 assists
Over 174.5
I’m betting on Clark continuing her outstanding play as of late, which includes eclipsing her assists total in my same-game parlay.
I’m also going to take the Over. The total may look high at 174.5, but both teams are offense-first squads that struggle to play shutdown defense in big moments. With most players well-rested coming out of the Olympic break, I expect plenty of points on the board tonight.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Mercury vs Fever odds
Mercury vs Fever live odds
Get the latest Mercury vs Fever WNBA odds for tonight.
Mercury vs Fever opening odds
- Spread: Phoenix +135 | Indiana -160
- Moneyline: Phoenix +2.5 (+100) | Indiana -2.5 (-120)
- Over/Under: Over 175.5 (-110) | Under 175.5 (-110)
Mercury vs Fever spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Mercury are 16-10 against the spread this season, while the Fever have a 14-12 ATS mark in 2024.
- Indiana is 4-2 ATS in its last six games in which it was favored this season.
- The Over has a 17-9 record when the Fever play this year, while the Under has a 14-12 advantage in Mercury games.
- Phoenix has played to an average total of 168.8 points this season, while Indiana has come in slightly higher, at an average of 169.1 ppg.
Mercury vs Fever trend
Indiana is 3-0 straight up and ATS in its last three meetings with the Mercury. Find more WNBA betting trends for Mercury vs. Fever.
Mercury vs Fever game info
| Location: | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |
| Date: | Friday, 8-16-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Fubo Sports, ION |
Mercury vs Fever latest injuries
Mercury: Charisma Osborne G (Out), Rebecca Allen G (Out).
Fever: Temi Fagbenle F (Out).
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
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