- What: WNBA Regular Season Game
- When: Wednesday, July 17
- Who: Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: College Park Center (Dallas, TX)
The Dallas Wings will host the Indiana Fever in both teams’ final game before the All-Star and Olympics breaks.
The Wings, who have the league’s worst record, face off against a Fever team that has recently started to gain momentum.
The Fever are aiming for their third consecutive victory, while the Wings are looking to snap a three-game losing streak in this first meeting of the season between the two teams.
Let’s get into this Fever vs. Wings preview and my best bet.
Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever’s on-court performance is not just living up to the hype; it’s also propelling them into the playoff picture.
Their balanced attack, with four players averaging double-digit points, is a testament to their recent success.
Kelsey Mitchell is leading the charge with her scoring prowess, averaging an impressive 17.1 points per game.
Her ability to make 2.4 three-pointers on 6.4 attempts per game is truly awe-inspiring. Mitchell has scored over 20 points in three of her last five games.
Rookie Caitlin Clark is making a significant contribution to the team with her all-around game.
last one before the break ????
???? College Park Center
???? 7:30pm ET
???? @espn pic.twitter.com/rOU4UWJSJp— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 17, 2024
She’s not just a scorer but also a playmaker and a rebounder, averaging 16.8 points, 7.8 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Clark has recorded at least 11 assists in five of her last six games, though she has averaged 5.5 turnovers per game during that stretch.
Aliyah Boston leads the Fever with 8.8 rebounds per game and is coming off a performance where she grabbed 16 rebounds and scored 17 points. In the game prior, she tallied 13 boards and 21 points.
Offensively, the Fever are a middle-of-the-pack team in rating and pace but rank 11th out of 12 teams in defensive efficiency.
Dallas Wings
Despite facing numerous injuries to start the season, the Dallas Wings have shown remarkable resilience. Their recent key reinforcements are a testament to their determination and commitment to the game.
Odyssey Sims, a guard with a unique playing style, is a dynamic player who excels at driving to the basket to score or draw defenders to set up her teammates.
GAME DAY. FIRE UP.
???? vs @IndianaFever
⏰ 6:30pm | Doors at 5:30pm
????️ SOLD OUT
???? @espn pic.twitter.com/UcZYVdxj7G— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) July 17, 2024
In eight games, the Baylor alum averages 16.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Sims tallied 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists in her last outing.
Center Teaira McCowan adds a lengthy and disruptive presence in the frontcourt for the Wings. McCowan showcases a soft touch around the rim and uses her 6’7″ frame to dominate the boards.
She averages 11.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and one block per game. In a standout performance on July 10 against the Phoenix Mercury, she recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Fever-Wings Best Bet
The last WNBA game for a month might showcase little defense. The Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings are, at best, mediocre and, at worst, quite poor on the defensive end.
Over the past month, Indiana has shown significant improvement in its defensive game. It currently ranks 8th in the WNBA and is closing in on the 6th spot.
In stark contrast, Dallas is struggling with the worst defensive rating in the league.
This doesn’t fully capture how dire their situation is, as their defensive rating is six points worse than the second-worst team in the WNBA.
we had 4⃣ players in double-digits in the win ???? pic.twitter.com/lEeiBPFeoN
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 14, 2024
For context, while Indiana’s defense has been mediocre, its rating is still 11.3 points better than Dallas’ over the last month.
Dallas’ struggles extend to their offense as well. Although their offensive rating is 9th in the league, it’s still quite poor in a league with only 12 teams.
Their inefficient offense contributes to numerous empty possessions, giving opponents ample opportunities for easy transition buckets.
Both teams also play at a fast pace, with Dallas being the second-fastest and Indiana the third-fastest over the past month.
Given this scenario and the fact that this game is the final one before a month-long break, targeting the Over would be a sensible choice.
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