The Minnesota Lynx have been surging toward the playoffs lately before stumbling last night against the Dallas Wings.
The quick turnaround could help Minnesota quickly forget that falter, but it could also make doing so that much harder. Back-to-backs are relatively rare in the WNBA, and finishing this one on the road will compound the issue.
Fortunately for the Lynx, they are heading to face the league’s worst team. The Indiana Fever are no better at home than on the road, winning only three of 13 games there this year.
Here are our free WNBA picks and predictions for the Lynx at the Fever on July 15, with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Lynx vs Fever odds
A few hours after their loss to Dallas, the Lynx opened as 3.o-point favorites for Friday night, a number that rose to -4.5 by the end of the morning. The total opened at 164.5 or 165.0, depending on the book, and gradually moved up as high as 167.5.
Odds via DraftKings. Compare WNBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Lynx vs Fever predictions
Predictions made on 7/15/2022 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Lynx vs Fever info
• Location: Indiana Farmers Coliseum
• Date: Friday, July 15, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: CBS Sports, BSNX
Lynx vs Fever betting preview
Key injuries
Lynx: Napheesa Collier F (Out).
Fever: Lexie Hull G (Questionable).
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Lynx are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games. Find more WNBA betting trends for Lynx vs. Fever.
Lynx vs Fever picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
The Lynx have not missed the playoffs since 2010, so their surge of late was not entirely surprising. Few franchises have as much pride as Minnesota does, and a struggling season would not lead to acquiescing until the playoffs were literally out of reach. With the Top 8 teams making the postseason in the WNBA, the playoffs are not yet out of reach.
Hence, the Lynx going 6-4 in their last 10 after opening the season 3-12. Even after Thursday’s loss, Minnesota is only 1.5 games out of the playoffs.
Indiana, meanwhile, is the worst team in the league, a perfect patsy for the Lynx to resume their surge.
Claiming Minnesota has been the best team in the league of late may seem hyperbolic, but some stats back it up.
The Lynx are averaging 112.6 points per 100 possessions in their last 10 games, tops in the league by 2.9 points. Their defensive rating in stretch is only No. 6 in the league, but let’s guess what both these statistical categories have in common… the Fever rank dead last in each.
Even if Minnesota was not humming of late, walloping Indiana would be a distinct possibility.
Prediction: Lynx -4.0 (-110 at Caesars)
Over/Under analysis
As one might expect based on that top-tier offense and good, if not great, defense, Minnesota’s surge has included an influx of Overs.
In the last 10 games, the Lynx have gone 5-3-2 toward the Over, including easily going Over the Thursday total of 165.5 in the 92-87 loss to Dallas.
As Minnesota pushes to keep its 11-year playoff run going, it is doing so with its offense.
And again, unsurprising given its general woes, Indiana should be glad to play along. Four of the Fever’s last five games have gone Over, including its last three games.
On a current seven-game losing streak, Indiana has given up 89.4 points per game. For context: A team scoring at that rate would rank second in the league on the season.
Prediction: Over 166.5 (-110 at PointsBet)
Best bet
A road game to close out a back-to-back is never an ideal scenario, and even the most professional players — like Sylvia Fowles — might overlook this rendition of the Fever.
But the loss restored a sense of urgency for the Lynx. There is a determination to get Fowles into the playoffs one last time. Thursday’s loss put that back on the brink of possibility, rather than an increasingly probable scenario.
Minnesota needs a win, yet this spread is barely more than a bucket. Going against woeful Indiana, the Lynx should cover that with ease.
Pick: Lynx -4.0 (-110 at Caesars)
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