WNBA Best Bets: Los Angeles Sparks vs Indiana Fever Betting Picks and Odds on September 4

The Indiana Fever (17-16, 9-5 home) are winners of four straight games, and are playoff bound. Just one year after finishing as the worst team in the Eastern Conference at 13-27, they are now third in the conference and locked in the sixth seed. That's not to say the season hasn't been tumultuous for the Fever.

Starting off 0-5 under head coach Christie Sides, there was visible frustration from Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and even Nalyssa Smith at times. 3-10 in their first 13 games, there were many questions among bettors perspective. The Fever covered the spread in just five of those 13 matchups. In an offensive shootout, the Fever are coming off a 100-93 victory over the Wings.

(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Back in the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and the Tamika Catchings days, the Fever will host the injury-riddled Los Angeles Sparks (7-25, 2-12 away) at home tonight. 2-8 in their last 10 matchups, the Sparks have one lone victory in the previous five games against the Dream, Liberty, Wings, Mystics, and the Sun.

Without rookie star Cameron Brink, the Sparks lost some defensive firepower in the frontcourt. In addition, Lexie Brown remains out with an illness, along with Layshia Clarendon, who's been inactive since mid-August.

The Sparks Have an WNBA Worst 7-25 Record

Although they've hung in games more than not, the Sparks succumbed to the Dream 80-62 on Sunday, in which Los Angeles shot an abysmal 14 percent from downtown, and 37 percent from the floor. Obliterated on the glass, the Sparks entire starting five finished 13- 41 (31.7 %) from the floor.

If you're betting on the WNBA, the Fever enter this matchup with the Sparks as -12 point favorites, their first double-digit spread favorites of the 2024 WNBA season. While this is a tough matchup to bet on, I've diligently chosen props and bets that I find value in.

Odds Are Current As Of September 4 At 8 A.M. EST.

If planning to place bets on the WNBA, tip-off between the Sparks and Fever will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tonight's matchup is set to air on CBS Sports Network.

For this matchup, I've gathered all of the current odds from legal sportsbooks, and placed by bets within FanDuel. In this article you will find my best spread bets, prop plays, and predictions for the Sparks vs Fever matchup this evening.

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Los Angeles Sparks vs Indiana Fever Injury Report

Los Angeles Sparks Injury Report

1. Layshia Clarendon, OUT (Personal)
2. Lexie Bown, Out (Illness)
3. Cameron Brink, OUT (Injury)

Indiana Fever Injury Report

1. Temi Fagbenle, Day-To-Day

2024 WNBA Head-To-Head: Sparks vs Fever

Season Matchups:

• Game 1: Sparks 88, Fever 82 (Los Angeles +5.5, over 165.5)
• Game 2: Fever 78, Los Angeles 72 (Indiana -1.5, under 165.5)
• Sparks vs Fever ATS last 10 matchups: 5-5-0
• The season ATS is split 1-1 between the Sparks and Fever
• Sparks are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings against the Fever

The Fever Have -850 Money Line Odds To Defeat The Sparks

The matchup between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Indiana Fever isn't an easy one to bet on. Sure, the Fever are a vastly different team compared to the season. Yes, they haven't played the Sparks since May, and since the All-Star break, each team is clearly headed in separate directions.

• The Fever are playing with a level of confidence no one saw coming, at least this WNBA season. 2 0-13 against the spread, they get another home matchup, where they hold a 10-4 against the spread record at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
• 9-4 against the spread as the preferred team, the Fever find themselves as 12 point heavy favorites for the first time.

In fact, prior to tonight's matchup, the most they've been favored was by seven points against the Mystics back in June.

With four consecutive victories against the Wings, Sky, and Dream, the most impressive came agains the Connecticut Sun. Not only is this team picking up wins in the column, there 4-0 covering the spread over this period.

1. As mentioned in my previous articles, Indiana 10-3 as the money line favorite.
2. Although I do believe the Fever will capture the win tonight at home, -850 odds is simply to risky to put my money on.
3. That means for every $100 wagered, your return would equal just over $10, which is too much of a gamble.

This is The Largest Favored Point Spread Margin Bet For The Fever

In the month of August, the Fever's offensive production has been firing on all cylinders.

• Averaging an WNBA best 89.9 points per game, they own the leagues second best three-point percentage (39.6), and rank top three in the win column, field goal percentage (45.2 %), rebounds (38.5), field goal attempts (71.8), and field goals made (32.5).

Even more impressive, the Fever hold the second best record post All-Star break at 6-1, and remain in several top statistical categories.

Breaking 100 points in two consecutive matchups, it's been the formation of Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin that's solidified themselves as one of the fiercest backcourts in the league. Known as the WNBA's version of the "splash sisters," they've totaled a combined 160 points over the last three games.

• If you break it down, that's an average of 53.3 points from both Mitchell and Clark, which makes up more than half the offense.

A strong frontcourt duo of Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith, bettors can capture the immense talent on this squad. Lately, it's been Smith holding things down, with a 14 point, 8 rebound game against the Wings.

WNBA Best Bets For The Los Angeles Sparks Vs Indiana Fever

Spread Bet: Los Angeles Sparks

• +12 (-112 FanDuel)

Overall, the Sparks are 15-16-1 against the spread this year, and have undoubtably struggled due to injuries, lack of offensive power, and star power.

• With Dearica Hamby leading the way statistically in points (17.5) and rebounds (9.8), Rickea Jackson and Azura Stevens are the only other players to average points in double figures.
• Speaking of Jackson, she's cemented herself as one of the top producing rookies, trailing behind Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese in points per game (13.3).

The only rookie to score 400+ points as a member of the Sparks, she's become one of the most valuable and consistent players for head coach Curt Miller.

• If you're betting on the WNBA tonight, It's worth a shot to sprinkle some coin on the +540 Sparks money line.

Do I think they will capture the victory tonight? The answer is no, they only have two wins on the road. They've known to upset teams at times, specifically the Liberty and and the Aces in overtime. However, I don't see that happening tonight in Indianapolis.

Sparks are 6-4 ATS Over The Last 10 Games

Mentioned previously, the Sparks struggle, and it's a rebuilding year aside from injuries. Yes, they laid an egg against the Dream on Sunday. However, they are 15-14-1 against the spread as the underdog team, and have a 10-6 record covering the spread on the road. From a betting perspective, the Sparks are more efficient on the road, which sold me for this bet.

1. While some bettors believe the Fever will blow them out of the water, the Sparks hang around in games.
2. With a 2-8 record in their last 10, Los Angeles has a decent 6-4 spread coverage.
3. Aside from Sunday against Atlanta, they've impressively had close games against the Liberty, where they covered the +12.5 spread.

Furthermore, they've covered hefty +13.5 and +16.5 underdog spreads against the Sun and Aces, which is not an easy task. 4-2 covering the spread as of late, they've had an average of 10.2 point differential in their last five losses.

Final Betting Prediction: Los Angeles Sparks To Cover The +12 Spread Vs Indiana Fever

Yes, the Sparks have the worst record in the WNBA at 7-25, and had a league worst 1-6 record in August. However, they've shown signs of life the past four games, despite the 16 point loss against Atlanta.

• Averaging 85 points, the Sparks are shooting an efficient 46.3 percent from the field, and a slight increase in percentage (31.2) from downtown.

If betting on tonight's game, I was pretty impressed with the Sparks 94-88 gutsy win over the Liberty just last week. The Sparks don't exactly have one player who will erupt for 40 points, rather a committee of skilled players that can get it done. As we know, Hamby has dominated the front court for quite some time, but it's been the addition of Odyssey Sims that can be a true difference maker for this Sparks team.

Perhaps the Sparks may struggle against the Fever backfield, especially since Miller has been a bigger lineup with Hamby, Talbot, Stevens and Talbot.

However, Los Angeles has the bench players in Kia Nurse, Rae Burrell, and Aari McDonald that can all contribute against the 12 point spread tonight.

• It's important to note McDonald and Nurse combined for 43 points in the Sparks 88-82 victory over Indiana back in May.

If you specifically look at point differential, these two teams aren't terribly far apart. Both negative in net rating, the Fever have a -2.6 rating compared to the Sparks -7.4.  When it comes to betting, these are two of the least efficient teams on the defensive end.

Overall, it's hard to gauge head-to-head matchups, especially since they were played in May. However, with the series split, each game has been decided by six points or less. With that said, I'll lay the points with the Sparks tonight.

WNBA Best Player Prop Bet: Kelsey Mitchell

WNBA Player Prop Bet: Kelsey Mitchell

Kelsey Mitchell Season Stats

PPG: 19  | FG: 46.4 % | FT: 83.8 % | 3PT % 39.5  | REB: 2.6 | AST: 1.9 | STL: 0.7 | BLK: 0.2

• O 21.5 Points (-122 FanDuel)

One of my favorite player props of the night, I'm betting on Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell to score over 21.5 points tonight. A natural born scorer, Mitchell has been through the trenches with this team.  Finally getting the recognition she deserves, she's been drawing in bettors.

If you're looking for a WNBA prop bet, Mitchell has cleared this line in four straight games.  Coming off a career-high 36 points against the Wings on Sunday, there's no stopping her.

1. Averaging 27.8 points over the last four games, Mitchell is shooting at an incredibly high clip (56 %).
2. Lethal from the three-point line, the Fever guard is shooting well over 50 percent during their win streak.
3. In fact, she's hit over her point prop line in seven straight games, dating back to August 16.

Although the line hasn't always been this high, she's consistent from a betting perspective.

Heading into free agency after this season, there's no other player I trust more than Kelsey Mitchell to ball out against the Sparks. With the Sparks summoning 86 points per game, they recently gave up 33 points to Arike Ogunbowale. In addition, Mystics Brittney Sykes didn't hold back, scoring 28 on the Sparks.

Historically, Mitchell hasn't cleared over 21 points against the Fever since 2022. However, the Sparks don't have an answer to guarding Mitchell and Clark tonight in the front court. Although the line is slightly higher than her season average, I'll take the over for a player that's playing hefty minutes, and averaging over 18 shots over the last seven games.