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Pictured: Napheesa Collier (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Indiana Fever vs. Minnesota Lynx prediction, pick, odds for Sat. 8/24

Originally posted on Action Network | By Andrew Norton | Last updated Aug 24, 2024 1:07 AM ET

For just the second time this season, the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx will face off.

The Lynx will be playing the second leg of a home back-to-back, while Indiana will be taking the floor for the first time since Sunday.

Will rest prove to be a major advantage for the Fever, or will Minnesota exact revenge after a seven-point home loss to Caitlin Clark and company in the middle of July?

Below, I dig into my Fever vs. Lynx prediction — check it out!

Fever vs. Lynx Prediction

Even though Indiana has played well recently, it will struggle against a team that has elite shooters all over the floor. The Lynx are the best 3-point shooting team in the WNBA, knocking down an absurd 39% of their attempts. And, unfortunately, the Fever can’t defend the 3-point line.

Fever vs. Lynx Pick: Lynx -6.5 | Play to -7.5

Check out Yardbarker's betting hub for odds, picks, predictions and analysis — and start winning TODAY!

Fever vs. Lynx Odds

Saturday, August 24

8 p.m. ET

NBA TV

Fever Odds
Spread	Over/Under	Moneyline
+6 -110	167.5 -110/-110	+215

Lynx Odds
Spread	Over/Under	Moneyline
-6 -110	167.5 -110/-110	-265

Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute WNBA odds here.

Indiana Fever: Can Fever Stay Hot?

Don’t look now, but here come the Fever.

They have logged four wins in their past five games and during that stretch, the Fever have outrebounded opponents by roughly seven rebounds per game. They're also shooting a blistering 48% from the field.

After a relatively modest start to the 2024 season, Clark has also finally hit her stride. She's posting close to 24 points, 12 assists and five rebounds per game over her past six outings.

Defense, particularly defending the perimeter, remains an issue. Indiana has allowed opponents to hit 37.2% of their 3-point attempts in their past five games, but that hasn't mattered.

Minnesota Lynx: Will Rebounding Improve?

The league’s top-ranked defense (defensive rating) will be tasked with slowing down the Clark-led Fever.

However, Minnesota’s defense does have one major hole that it eventually needs to address: defensive rebounding. While rebounding isn't always thought of when evaluating defense, closing out a defensive possession with a board is just as important as any other aspect on that end of the floor.

The Lynx rank 10th (out of 12 teams) in defensive rebounding percentage and could have a truly elite defense if they're able to improve in that metric. Regardless, they'll still be a contender once the postseason rolls around.

Fever vs. Lynx Pick: Bet Minnesota

Betting Pick & Prediction

If you are wondering why the Lynx are 6.5-point favorites despite having lost to the Fever in July, the rationale is actually quite simple: Napheesa Collier.

Collier didn't play in the first game against Indiana and her absence was a major hindrance to Minnesota’s offense.

In fact, Minnesota shot just 38.6% from the field in that matchup, but that had little to do with the Fever’s defense, which ranks 11th in defensive rating and ninth in opponent effective field goal percentage.