Few teams have been as consistently good as the Minnesota Lynx. Conversely, few have been as been as hot as the Indiana Fever. Both teams have clinched a playoff spot and are meeting Friday with seeding on the line. This is the third matchup between the teams, with each earning a victory so far. My Lynx vs. Fever prediction is below.
Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever Prediction
The guards get most of the attention in this matchup, and deservedly so. But it would be foolish to forget about Indiana's Aliyah Boston, who is averaging 13.7 points per game on the season. She's also averaging 11 shots and nearly three free-throws per game. Indiana's big will get plenty of opportunities to put the ball in the basket in this contest, so I'm betting that she'll go over 10 points.
Lynx vs. Fever Pick: Aliyah Boston to Score 10+ Points (-335)
Lynx vs. Fever Odds
| Lynx Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 169.5 -110/-110 | -145 |
| Fever Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 169.5 -110/-110 | +120 |
Minnesota Lynx: Looking to Stay Hot
A loss to Dallas last week ended Minnesota's win streak at seven games, a stretch that included a victory over the Fever. And it's not just that the Lynx have been winning games, but that they have been doing so by comfortable margins. Their overall point differential this season is +6.5, but their past seven wins have seen an average score of 88.3 to 77.6.
The play of lead scorer Napheesa Collier has been key. Averaging 20.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game, she has had scoring efforts of 31, 27, 23 and 30 over the past few weeks.
The Lynx have three others averaging double-digit points, including Kayla McBride (15.9), Courtney Williams (11) and Alanna Smith (10.5). Williams leads the Lynx with 5.4 assists per game, while McBride has reached double figures scoring in each of her past 18 games.
As a team, the Lynx do much of their damage from the 3-point line, where their 9.8 makes are second most in the W. Their percentage from deep leads the league, as do their 23.3 assists per game. Minnesota also plays at the league's second-slowest pace.
Indiana Fever: Offense Leads the Way
It should come as little surprise that experience, both in the W and with each other, has led to improvement with Indiana's young stars. The Fever have won seven of their past eight games, with victories over playoff teams Connecticut, Seattle and Phoenix.
Offense has been the key. Of the team's 18 wins this season, all but two saw the Fever score more than 80 points. And in their past three wins, Indiana scored 93, 100 and 100.
The scoring is headlined by Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark, who have gone back and forth for the team lead in that category. Right now, Mitchell leads the way at 19 points per game, while Clark is averaging 18.9. Clark's 8.4 assists per game lead the team, as do both her 3-point shot attempts (8.7) and makes (3) per game.
Boston and NaLyssa Smith also chip in, with Boston at 13.7 points and a team-best 9.1 rebounds per game and Smith at 11.1 points and 7.4 boards per game.
Lynx vs. Fever: Bet Boston's Player Prop
There are a lot of stars in this game who could put up big numbers, but Boston sometimes gets overlooked. She's coming off a 24-point performance against the Sparks and has taken double-digit shot attempts in four of her past six games, hitting at a high percentage. That, and her ability to get to the free-throw line, will get her into double figures on Friday.
Lynx vs. Fever Pick: Aliyah Boston to score 10+ Points (-335)
