These teams met twice in May, with the last match taking place on May 28. The Fever won 90-82 at home and the Valkyries responded with a 90-88 win at home. This was a tale of two performances by Caitlin Clarke. She made 7 of 15 field goals in the Fever win. She finished just 3-for-12 in the loss.
With no MLB, World Cup or tennis tournaments competing for attention, this prime-time matchup takes center stage. Read our comprehensive analysis before you take action.
Golden State Valkyries vs Indiana Fever WNBA: Odds and Betting Trends
Here’s a quick look at today’s odds before we get started:
Point spread: Valkyries +1.5 (-115) vs Fever -1.5 (-105)
Money line: Valkyries (-105) vs. Fever (-115)
Sum of points (over/under): More than 168.5 (-110) / Less than 168.5 (-110)
The Valkyries enter Wednesday night’s clash with red-hot energy, having won seven in a row. They were also well rested, having not played since Friday.
The Fever have won two games in a row, most recently defeating the Las Vegas A’s 109-75 on Sunday.
This season, Golden State is 14-9 against the spread (ATS) and 11-12 against the spread (ATS). Meanwhile, Indiana is 11-11 ATS and 14-9 ATS.
Golden State Valkyries
We know that center Iliana Rupert will not be available as she is out of the season due to pregnancy. The big question is whether leading scorer Gabby Williams (15.0 ppg) will fit in.
The Valkyries are not a dynamic and highly active attacking team. In fact, Golden State ranks dead last in the WNBA in pace, with only Janelle Salaun (13.0 ppg), Veronica Burton (12.3 ppg) and Williams averaging double figures.
They are incredibly deep, however, with five other players averaging between 6.1 and 8.1 points per game. They also turn off the lights due to the arc. Golden State makes two more 3-pointers per game than any other team, shoots 34.6 percent from deep, and has the highest shooting percentage from 3-point range by a margin of four percent.
Overall, the Valkyries rank in the middle of the pack offensively and on the glass, but they take excellent care of the basketball and have the best defense in the WNBA.
This team plays a style very similar to the Boston Celtics, and it’s no coincidence that they have a 17-7 record.
Indiana fever
This is what makes the match so intriguing because in many ways the Fever are the exact opposite.
Indiana boasts the best offense in the league by a fairly comfortable margin and also plays at the fastest pace in the WNBA.
The Fever also lead the league in rebounding but can be sloppy with the basketball. Like Golden State, they are efficient from behind the arc, making an outstanding 37% of their three-point attempts.
Indiana is loaded with star power, led by Kelsey Mitchell (22.7 ppg), Aliyah Boston (17.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg), Sophie Cunningham (9.6 ppg, 43.5% from three) and, of course, Caitlin Clark (20.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 7.8 apg).
WNBA Prediction: Who will win Valkyries vs. Fever?
The Fever are 8-4 at home and the Valkyries are 7-4 on the road. Golden State has advantages in rest, defense and overall team identity, but Indiana is up against superior star power, the best offense in the league and home-court advantage.
I don’t like playing against a team on a seven-game winning streak, but with Gabby Williams’ status still uncertain and this game being played in Indianapolis, I think the Fever are up to the task. Clark’s efficient night should be enough to propel Indiana to another win.
This game will ultimately be decided by which team controls the tempo and whether the Valkyries can force Clark and company to yield.
Best Bet: Fever -1.5 (-105)
Final score prediction: Fever 87, Valkyries 81.