WNBA Best Bets (Aug. 18): Fever vs. Tempo, Dream vs. Aces Odds & Predictions

Four games on the card, with the nightcap being must-see TV when the Eastern Conference powerhouse Atlanta Dream (21-13) visit the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces (24-12) in a 9 p.m. Eastern battle. The third-place Aces have clinched a playoff spot, and would love to climb back into a top-two slot.

The Dream are in fifth place, and are playing with a greater sense of urgency to get into the top four and earn the homecourt edge in the opening round. The game is part of an ESPN doubleheader.

(Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The first of the nationally televised twinbill is the fourth-place Indiana Fever (23-12) visiting the Toronto Tempo (10-23). The Fever know the importance of every game at this point, as they're one-half game below the Aces and could grab sole possession of third place if they can couple a win with an Atlanta victory in Vegas. It shouldn't be that difficult with the Tempo limping in on a 10-game skid. The game tips at 7 p.m.

WNBA Matchups Today (Aug. 18)

Also tipping early at 7 p.m. will be the Los Angeles Sparks (12-22) on the road for a non-conference battle with the Connecticut Sun (8-25). Los Angeles showed a bit of spark after shipping Kelsey Plum to Phoenix, but now seven games back of the eighth spot, it'll be tough for it to make a run into the postseason.

And at this point, one has to wonder when coach Lynne Roberts will consider preserving her key players to avoid injuries and begin looking toward next season. The Sun have been eliminated and are now just playing for pride before loading the U-Hauls for Houston. The game will be shown on WNBA's League Pass.

Also tonight, in what could be an up-tempo clash, the New York Liberty (22-14) visit the Chicago Sky (13-22) in a 9 p.m. battle that will also be shown on League Pass. The Sky's chances to make the postseason are falling, as they're 6.5 games back of eighth place. The sixth-place Liberty, though, need as many wins as they can get if they want to host a first-round series.

WNBA Best Bets For Tuesday, Aug. 18

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WNBA Betting Odds And Schedule For Tuesday, Aug. 18 (Odds via FanDuel)

Los Angeles Sparks at Connecticut Sun

• Spread: Los Angeles -1.5 (-110) | Connecticut +1.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Los Angeles (-122) | Connecticut (+100)
• Total: O/U 169.5 (-110/-110)

With Kelsey Plum gone, the Sparks are seemingly shifting toward evaluating a younger roster. That makes players such as Cameron Brink, Rae Burrell and rookie Tonie Morgan particularly important over the closing weeks. That might be why we've seen them lose their last four, being outscored by an average final of 85.8 to 79.0. Their shooting percentage has dipped considerably after hitting .496 from the floor from July 8 through Aug. 6. Since then, they're hitting a mere .440 overall and .303 from 3-point range.

The Sun have lost seven of their last eight games, but again, as the team prepares to relocate to Houston, there might be a sense of pride on the line in their last five home games. That begins tonight, against a beatable Sparks team the Sun beat in the first meeting, 84-81, back on May 30.

With Brittney Griner and Aaliyah Edwards listed as questionable, this could be a spot for second-year player Leila Lacan to shine, as she's registered four or more assists in five of her last six games. It wouldn't be surprising to see her link often with Olivia Nelson-Ododa, who just turned in a double-double against the Liberty, with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

My Best Bet Prediction: Connecticut +1.5 (-110)

• The Sun are sporting an impressive 11-1 SU run when the Sparks visit Connecticut, dating back to 2018. Five of those wins were by double digits, while all 11 victories were by an average margin of 9.8 points per win. And when they've hosted non-playoff teams, they're 4-2 SU and ATS this season. They're also on winning ATS runs of 7-3 and 10-5 at home. I'll take the home dog here.

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Indiana Fever at Toronto Tempo

• Spread: Indiana -10.5 (-106) | Toronto +10.5 (-114)
• Moneyline: Indiana (-550) | Toronto (+390)
• Total: O/U 190.5 (-110/-110)

Laying double digits on the road in any sport is always risky, but considering the situation, the Fever are the logical choice. Sitting fourth overall, the standings are extremely compressed behind Minnesota, Golden State and Las Vegas, and it wouldn't be a shock to see Indiana wedge its way in there. Not with how well Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell continue to play. Indiana's backcourt is playing even better now.

In last week's 106-92 win over New York, Mitchell scored 28 points, Clark had 22 points and 10 assists, and Indiana shot a blistering 16 of 25 from 3-point range. Clark followed that performance with 26 points and nine assists in Sunday's overtime victory at Atlanta, with Mitchell adding 20.

The injury-ravaged Tempo have lost 10 consecutive games, and 14 of their last 15. They've also failed to cover 10 of their last 15, dating back to June 27. Yes, Brittney Sykes is available for this one, but it would be her first game back since June 16, the last time these teams met. In that game, the Fever hammered Toronto, 113-91, with Mitchell scoring 27 points on 9-of-11 shooting. And a Sykes return isn't going to be enough to counter Toronto's league-worst scoring defense, which is allowing 94.1 PPG.

My Best Bet Prediction: Indiana -10.5 (-106)

• Indiana continues to lead the WNBA in scoring (96.2 PPG) and field-goal percentage (48.7%), while shooting 39.0% from 3-point range. Mitchell is averaging 24.2 points, while Caitlin Clark adds 22.0 points and 8.3 assists. Those are advantages that helped the Fever in their 22-point win in the first meeting, and with Indiana riding four straight wins and the 10-win Tempo carrying their double-digit losing skid, the Fever have both the offensive advantage and playoff urgency to win this matchup while extending an ATS run to 4-0.

Atlanta Dream at Las Vegas Aces

• Spread: Atlanta +3.5 (-104) | Las Vegas -3.5 (-118)
• Moneyline: Atlanta (+136) | Las Vegas (-168)
• Total: O/U 177.5 (-108/-112)

If the Aces aren't going to figure out how to play defense, they'll need to put up big numbers the rest of the way. Good thing A’ja Wilson is averaging roughly 26 points on 52% shooting, and they have multiple secondary creators in Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. That trio continues to be one of the best in the league, averaging a combined 56.8 PPG on .488 shooting.

The X-factor tonight might be Jewell Loyd, who has finished in double digits just 11 times this season, but is averaging 11.5 points in her last two games. Loyd is averaging 14.1 PPG in 31 career games against Atlanta.

Atlanta has enough offense to contribute to this total as well. During their recent 8-3 run, the Dream are scoring 94.9 PPG, 11.4 offensive rebounds and 8.8 made 3-pointers. Allisha Gray is averaging a career-best 19.6 points. The Dream also have the rebounding ability to generate extra possessions and transition opportunities.

The key is avoiding offensive droughts when the Aces go on runs. It's hard to imagine that, though, when Atlanta is fighting for playoff positioning. That's where we can expect to see Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese to step in, as they're averaging 17.8 and 15.6, respectively.

My Best Bet Prediction: Over 177.5 (-108)

• When these teams met Aug. 3, Las Vegas exploded for 109 points, with Young producing 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists while Wilson scored 23 on 8-of-11 shooting. The previous seven meetings stayed under, yes. But with what's at stake, and both teams coming off losses, scoring will be at a premium. Atlanta has gone over in 14 of its last 23, while the Aces have landed north of the total in eight of their last 13.

W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Staff Analyst at Ballislife Bets. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez