Tonight, the Los Angeles Sparks (12-15) are set to host the Indiana Fever (17-12) in a WNBA inter-conference matchup at Crypto.com Arena. This marks the third time these two teams have met this season, with the Sparks having won both previous encounters.
Injury Report
- Los Angeles Sparks: Currently, the Sparks have no players listed on the injury report.
- Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark remains out with a groin injury. There is no official timeline for her return, with coach Stephanie White emphasizing the importance of Clark's long-term health. Clark has been sidelined since July 15th and has already missed seven straight games.
Projected Starting Lineups
While official starting lineups are subject to change, here are the predicted starting fives:
- Los Angeles Sparks: Kelsey Plum, Julie Allemand, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby, and Azurá Stevens.
- Indiana Fever: Aari McDonald, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, Aliyah Boston, and Sophie Cunningham are likely to start.
Players to Watch
Several players are expected to have a significant impact on tonight's game:
- For the Sparks:
- Kelsey Plum: Averaging 20.3 points per game, Plum is the centerpiece of the Sparks' offense.
- Dearica Hamby: Hamby is averaging 17.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and recorded a double-double in the last game against the Storm.
- Azurá Stevens: Stevens is averaging 14.9 points and 8.5 rebounds and has scored 20+ points in both games against the Fever this season.
- Rickea Jackson: Jackson averages 13.9 points per game.
- For the Fever:
- Kelsey Mitchell: With Clark out, Mitchell has stepped up, averaging 19.5 points per game, ranking her among the league's top scorers.
- Aliyah Boston: Boston is averaging 15.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game and has recorded double-doubles in her last five games.
- Natasha Howard: Howard has been a key contributor, especially in Clark's absence.
Prediction
The Indiana Fever are currently favored by 1.5 points. The oddsmakers anticipate a close contest with a total points line of 176.5.
- Betting Picks:
- Moneyline: Fever -128.
- Spread: Fever -1.5 (-110 via Caesars).
- Over/Under: Over 176 (-110 via Caesars).
While the Sparks have a strong head-to-head record against the Fever this season, Indiana is currently riding a five-game winning streak. The Fever's defense and the strong performances of Mitchell, Boston, and Howard are expected to give them an edge. However, the Sparks' offense, led by Plum and Hamby, has been hot recently. Expect a high-scoring game, but the Fever's defense may allow them to pull away in the fourth quarter.
