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Two of the top teams after the WNBA All-Star and Olympic break, the Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever, square off on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The marquee contest also features MVP candidates Napheesa Collier and Caitlin Clark.
The Lynx and Fever are tied for the best record in the league since the season resumed (7-1). They are also the top two offenses in the WNBA in that stretch. The game could be a potential preview of the 2024 playoffs' first-round series as the 24-9 Lynx are third in the standings, while the 18-16 Fever are the sixth.
Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever Odds, Preview and Prediction
Money line: Lynx -145, Fever +120
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Spread: Lynx -2.5 (-110), Fever +2.5 (-110)
Over/Under: Lynx O169.5 (-110), Fever U169.5 (-110)
Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever Preview
The Lynx have been the best team since the All-Star break was over. Minnesota has been an efficient team on both ends, with the No. 2 offense (108.9), the No. 4 defense (99.1) and the best net rating (12.8).
Napheesa Collier has been a standout performer in that stretch, averaging 21.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists, shooting 55.7%, including 34.6% from 3. Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride have also been healthy contributors amid this run, producing 14.9 and 14.3 ppg, respectively.
The Lynx bagged a 90-80 win last time they faced the Fever on Aug. 24, so their confidence will be high heading into this contest. However, Minnesota had a close couple of games in their past two outings. It lost 94-76 against the lowly Dallas Wings, while the Sky gave Collier and Co. a hard-fought battle in a five-point win (79-74).
Meanwhile, the Fever are a close second behind the Lynx among the top-ranking teams after the All-Star and Olympic break. Caitlin Clark and Co. have the best offense in the league in that span (110.6), while their defense is a respectable No. 7 (101.8).
Indiana also has better momentum behind five straight wins since its loss to the Lynx. The trio of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aaliyah Boston have sustained their production. Clark has averaged 24.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 9.1 apg, while Mitchell has led the scoring charts for Fever with 25.6 ppg. Boston has managed 11.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg and 4.4 apg.
The Fever will look to avenge the loss from Aug. 24 on their home floor behind the fanbase's support.
Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever Predicted Starting Lineups
Lynx
G - Courtney Williams, G - Kayla McBride, F - Napheesa Collier, F - Bridget Carleton, F - Dorka Juhasz
Fever
G - Caitlin Clark, G - Lexie Hull, G - Kelsey Mitchell, F - NaLyssa Smith, F - Aaliyah Boston
Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever Prediction
The Lynx are marginal favorites to beat the Fever on Friday. The oddsmakers have them as -145 favorites to Fever's +125, with a -2.5 spread. Minnesota's defense is versatile, which could be handy against Indiana's offense.
However, the Fever have a homecourt advantage, and their recent form could lead to an unsurprising upset.
