It hasn't been much of an expansion rivalry between the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo.
Portland has whipped Toronto twice and will look for a series sweep when they take on the Tempo in Vancouver – who are currently riding a mammoth 12-game losing skid.
The Tempo find themselves as just 2.5-point underdogs in a home-away-from-home game, but they will be severely shorthanded, leaving me to take the visitors in my Fire vs Tempo predictions and WNBA picks on Aug 21.
Fire vs Tempo prediction
Fire vs Tempo best bet: Fire -2.5 -108
The Toronto Tempo has been the WNBA's worst defensive team, allowing 94.3 points per game, and now loses leading scorer Marina Mabrey (hamstring), with Maria Conde (calf) and Nyara Sabally (calf) also out. Brittany Sykes is expected to remain on a minutes restriction.
The Portland Fire have won four of five, matching their best stretch of basketball on the year. They rank Top 5 in scoring while holding opponents to a league-low 41.4% shooting during this run.
The Fire have also dominated Toronto twice this season, winning both by at least 14 points.
With the Tempo depleted, I'd back Portland up to -5.5.
COVERS INTEL: Don't be swayed into wagering Toronto on the spread because of their recent 5-1-0 record against the spread in the last six losses. The Tempo have covered as a 9.5-point underdog or better in those contests, and are only getting 2.5 points against Portland on Friday. That's the same number they failed to cover in Portland's 97-83 win on Aug 6.
Fire vs Tempo same-game parlay
Canadian Bridget Carleton should be extra motivated Friday. She's coming off her worst 3-point shooting night of the season, missing all eight shots, and failing to score in double digits for the first time in 10 games.
Throw out that dud, and she had hit at least three triples in five of her last seven, and she should put on a shooting show for her Canadian fans in Vancouver.
With Mabrey out, Brittany Sykes will have every opportunity to lead the Tempo in scoring. She scored 15 points in her return from a foot injury (in just 21 minutes), and with a few more minutes and a few more shots, she should be able to top a generous 14.5 points line.
Fire vs Tempo SGP +440
- Fire -2.5
- Bridget Carleton Over 2.5 made threes
- Brittany Sykes Over 14.5 points
Want more basketball parlays? Check out our WNBA parlay picks page!
- Best bet: 13-25, -12.28 units
- SGP: 1-36, -30.90 units
- Player prop: 15-9, +4.28 units
Fire vs Tempo odds
- Spread: Portland -2.5 (-110) | Toronto +2.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Portland -148 | Toronto +124
- Over/Under: Over 182.5 (-115) | Under 182.5 (-105)
Fire vs Tempo trend
Portland is 5-0-0 against the spread in its last five games, four of those as an underdog. Find more WNBA betting trends.
How to watch Fire vs Tempo
| Location | Coca-Cola Coliseum |
| Date | Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ION |
Fire vs Tempo latest injuries
Fire: None.
Tempo: Marina Mabrey (Out), Nyara Sabally (Out), Maria Conde (Out), Brittany Sykes (GTD).
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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