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The Indiana Fever will look to make it 3-0 against the Atlanta Dream when both teams meet at State Farm Arena on Monday. The Fever registered handsome victories against the Phoenix Mercury and the Seattle Storm but were trounced 90-80 by the Minnesota Lynx, who punched a playoff ticket with the win.
Atlanta still has its playoff dream alive. A win against Caitlin Clark and co. on Monday ties it with the eighth-placed Chicago Sky. The Dream had a solid start when the WNBA pressed restart, pulling off an upset win over the Connecticut Sun and later splitting a two-game series against the Mercury.
This season, the Indiana Fever have beaten Atlanta twice in as many games and are favorites to clinch their away fixture. A win will further consolidate their No. 7 overall position in the standings.
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Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream: Preview, predicted starting lineups, odds, and prediction
Tip-off between the two teams is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET. Here's a quick look at the odds ahead of the clash:
Spread: Fever -2.5, Dream +2.5
Moneyline: Fever -142, Dream +120
Total (o/u): Fever o166.5, Dream u166.5
Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream preview
To start with, the Atlanta Dream will have to contend without key names in Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Aerial Powers, Nyadiew Puoch, Iliana Rupert and Matilde Villa. A depleted unit vs. a healthy Fever squad will always be a challenge.
Their offense has sputtered often this season, and while they can defend at a decent level, making up for the good plays at the other end of the floor has been the Dream's weakness.
The Fever's defense allows an average of 80 points per game and locks their opponents to 42.5% (fourth) shooting overall. Rhyne Howard is their steal specialist, with 1.9 of them per game. She also leads the team in scoring with 16.3 points per contest. Allisha Gray comes in second with 15.9 points per game.
Indiana has been blazing on offense in its rally-back campaign, but its defense has been erratic throughout the season. The Fever score at a healthy pace, draining 44.9% overall and 33.6% from beyond the arc. But on defense, they allow 87.0 points per game — five more than their average of 82.0% on scoring.
Clark leads the pack with 17.9 points per game and 8.3 assists (the most dimes in the WNBA). Kelsey Mitchell is second-highest with 17.8 points per game.
Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream predicted starting lineups
The Fever have no injuries to report and will likely stick to the same lineup of Kelsey Mitchell at PG, Caitlin Clark at SG, Katie Lou Samuelson at SF, NaLyssa Smith at PF and Aliyah Boston at C.
The Dream will likely start with Jordin Canada at PG, Allisha Gray at SG, Rhyne Howard at SF, Naz Hillmon at PF and Tina Charles at C.
Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream prediction
The Indiana Fever are favorites to bag a win on Monday. However, they play a team with better defense, and that might work against them if the Dream manage to contain their scoring options in Clark and Mitchell. But, with the run of form Indiana is in, expect the team to chalk up a win with another Caitlin Clark show.
