Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever have come out strong post-Olympic break, winning two out of three games. Clark, in particular, has been sensational, showcasing why she should run away with the ROTY award.
She delivered a stellar 29-point, 10-assist performance in the victory over Phoenix, followed by another impressive showing with 23 points and 9 assists in the win against Seattle.
While many teams are still finding their rhythm after the break, Clark and the Fever have hit their stride, entering a crucial stretch with several winnable games on the horizon.
Sitting at 13-16, the Fever will need to maintain this momentum to secure a playoff spot in Clark’s promising rookie year.
This game is shaping up to be decided from behind the arc. Atlanta is allowing 8 made three-pointers per game, while Indiana leads the league in this category, giving up 8.8 per contest. Throughout the season, the Dream have generally been stronger defensively than the Fever, and since returning from the summer break, Atlanta hasn’t allowed any team to score 82 or more points. They've won 3 of their 4 games, including a statement victory over Connecticut.
This promises to be a tight matchup, with the battle at the point guard spot between Caitlin Clark and Allisha Gray likely being the decisive factor. If Gray can limit CC as a playmaker, then Atlanta will have the upper hand but if Clark gets her assists early and often, it will be tough for the Dream to continue their hot defensive play.
Atlanta has proven to be Caitlin Clark's toughest challenge this season, holding her to just 11.5 points and 6.5 assists per game in their two previous matchups. However, Clark has consistently improved since those meetings, and tonight, she's expected to bring a more physical approach. In games where the Fever win, she averages nearly three more rebounds per game compared to their losses—a stat that could be crucial given that the Dream are at the bottom of the league in opponents' total rebounding.
Look for Clark to assert herself on the boards, as this could be a key factor in breaking through Atlanta's tough defense.
We've picked through all of the odds available for this matchup to identify two bets that stand out. The first is a Caitlin Clark prop, and the second is a play on the total.
Here is a quick look at the live odds for tonight's matchup:
Indiana Fever (-1.5) vs Atlanta Dream
Total: 167 Points
Clark has pulled down 5 rebounds in each of her last three games against physically imposing teams like Phoenix, Seattle, and Minnesota. With the Dream not forcing many turnovers, this game could turn into a fast-paced, run-and-gun affair, perfectly suited for Clark's style.
She's great at pushing the pace, and with Indiana's playoff hopes on the line as they head into September, the Fever will need Clark to step up aggressively.
In games where the Fever came out on top this season, Clark averaged over 7 rebounds. A more assertive Caitlin Clark is crucial if Indiana is to keep their postseason dreams alive.