The Phoenix Mercury (9-8) and Indiana Fever (7-12) will face off in cross-conference action on Sunday afternoon. This is the first of three contests between these teams this season. These teams have faced each other 51 times in history, with Phoenix holding a 29-22 edge over Indiana. The Mercury are fifth in the league in scoring offense (82.4), while the Fever are sixth (80.7).
Tipoff is at 3 p.m. ET at Footprint Center in Phoenix. Fever vs. Mercury odds have the Mercury as 8-point favorites, while the over/under for total points is 176.5. Before making any picks for Fever vs. Mercury, be sure to check out the WNBA predictions from SportsLine’s women’s basketball expert Calvin Wetzel.
Since the start of the 2021-22 women’s college basketball campaign, Wetzel is 1,384-988 (+371.33 units). Wetzel predicted 66 of the 68 NCAA women’s tournament teams this year, as well as 62 of the 68 teams within a seed line and correctly selected 13 of the 16 second-round games. Anyone who follows him has seen huge returns.
Now, he has set his sights on Fever vs. Mercury and finalized his picks and WNBA predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several WNBA betting lines and trends for Mercury vs. Fever:
- Fever vs. Mercury spread: Phoenix -8
- Fever vs. Mercury Over/Under: 176.5 points
- Fever vs. Mercury Money Line: Phoenix -355, Indiana +270
- IND: Fever ranks fourth in WNBA in 3-pointers made (166)
- PHX: The Mercury ranks third in blocks per game (5.1)
- Fever vs. Mercury Picks: See Picks at SportsLine
Why can there be a fever?
The Fever have lost two games in a row, but they have some effective playmakers on the offensive end. They come into this season ranked fourth in the league in both assists per game (20.1) and field-goal percentage (44.2%). Additionally, they rank second in the league in 3-point percentage (35.9%). Clark plays a key role for this team in just her first season.
Clark is a floor general, but can score from all three levels on the court without any problems. She is averaging 16.2 points and 5.5 rebounds and a team-high 6.6 assists per game. Against the Chicago Sky on June 23, Clark finished the game with 17 points, six rebounds and 13 assists. Guard Kelsey Mitchell joins Clark in the backcourt. Mitchell’s offensive game is very smooth, including a great jumper. She records a team-high 16.3 points and shoots 39% from downtown. See here which team to pick.
Why might Mercury be covered?
Guard Diana Taurasi is still playing in the WNBA at the age of 42. Taurasi has a diverse and effective game plan that allows her to score with ease. The three-time WNBA champion is averaging 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. She has recorded more than 20 points seven times this season. On June 13, against the Las Vegas Aces, Taurasi scored 22 points and four dimes.
Guard Natasha Cloud has been a great floor general and playmaker for this club. Cloud plays with good awareness and instincts to find the open player. The 32-year-old is also quick to dodge defenders and attack downhill. She ranks second in the league in assists (7.1), while also averaging 10.9 points and 1.6 steals per game. In a loss to the Minnesota Lynx on June 22, Cloud scored 14 points and seven assists. See which team to pick here.
How to make WNBA picks for Fever vs. Mercury
Wetzel is paying more attention to point totals, and he’s locked in two Fever vs. Mercury picks — one on the spread and one on a Caitlin Clark prop that’s a must-see. You can see his WNBA picks and analysis only at SportsLine.
Who covers Mercury vs. Sky, and which Caitlin Clark prop should you pay attention to? Visit SportsLine to see the best WNBA bets for Mercury vs. Fever, all from an expert who is +371.33 units on his women’s college basketball picks from 2021, and find out.
