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The Indiana Fever (0-5) and Los Angeles Sparks (1-2) meet Friday at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ION). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Fever vs. Sparks odds, and make our expert WNBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Sparks won 3-0 in 2023
The Fever have dropped all 5 games to date, but after a pair of blowout losses to start, Indiana is getting close. It has covered the past 3 outings, including 2 games on the road, and Indiana has lost by an average of just 3.0 points per game in the past 2 outings.
Caitlin Clark finished with a team-best 21 points in an 85-83 loss at Seattle on Wednesday, adding 7 assists, while Nalyssa Smith ended up with 16 points and 11 rebounds with an efficient 8-of-13 shooting and one blocked shot.
The Over is on a 3-0 run for Indiana, too, averaging 82.3 points per game (PPG) in the 3-game stretch. The Fever has allowed 85 or more points in all 5 losses.
The Sparks picked up their 1st win of the season against the visiting Washington Mystics on Tuesday, 70-68. Los Angeles pushed at most shops as a 2-point favorite as the Under (158.5) connected.
Dearica Hamby has been on fire for the Sparks in the 1st 3 games, averaging a team-best 22.0 PPG with 13.7 rebounds per game (RPG), 2.7 assists per game (APG) and 2.0 steals per game (SPG), while shooting an efficient 59.1% from the floor.
Rookie Cameron Brink has struggled in the early going. This game features Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, against Brink, the No. 2 pick. Brink is averaging just 6.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.3 APG and 1.3 SPG with 46.7% shooting through her 1st 3 outings.
Fever at Sparks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:44 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Fever -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Sparks +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Fever -1.5 (-115) | Sparks +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 165.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Fever at Sparks picks and predictions
Prediction
Fever 88, Sparks 85
Moneyline
The Fever (-125) are slight favorites on the road in SoCal against the Sparks (+105) in a battle of 2 teams trying to find their way. Indiana has been getting closer and closer to a victory, while Los Angeles finally broke through last time out. Clark and the Fever should get the job done under the bright lights in LaLa Land.
However, there is better value laying the slight amount of points, rather than playing the moneyline.
PASS.
Against the spread
INDIANA -1.5 (-115) is a good better play laying this little bit of points, rather than paying extra on the ML. The Fever simply needs to win by a bucket to get the job done.
The Fever have been inching closer and closer to a win, and despite a complete lack of defense, this team has been getting better and better.
Clark still doesn’t have a great supporting cast, but Kelsey Mitchell, Smith and Aliyah Boston have occasionally been sharp in supporting roles. It all could come together in L.A.
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Over/Under
OVER 165.5 (-115) is a strong play in this battle of losing teams.
The Fever ranks last in team defense, allowing 91.6 points per game, while teams are shooting 44.8% from the field, and 35.3% from behind the 3-point line. Each of those figures rank 9th in the WNBA.
The Sparks are not scoring a lot of points, and they’re maddening to Over bettors because they leave a lot of points on the floor with a dismal 61.5% free-throw percentage so far. But like Indiana, L.A. is dismal defensively, allowing 83.0%, and they’re allowing teams to shoot 39.7% from behind the 3-point line. Look for a high-scoring affair.
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