The Toronto Tempo are looking for anything positive to build from when they host the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night.
The Tempo have dropped 10 straight and fallen to 13th in the WNBA standings with a 10-23 record.
They have also lost eight of nine at home and they return to the Scotiabank Arena after a 94-88 loss at Dallas last Wednesday concluded a 0-5 road trip.
The subsequent time off could be of huge benefit to the Tempo, as Brittney Sykes, out for more than two months with a foot injury, is probable to return.
Sykes’ last game came against the Fever, a contest which saw her contribute 11 points before she exited during the first half of an eventual 113-91 loss.
Indiana continues to ascend, having won four straight and eight of 10. That includes a 95-91 overtime victory over the Atlanta Dream on Sunday to open a five-game road trip.
Caitlin Clark had 26 points and nine assists while Makayla Thompson recorded a career-high 20 points, scoring the team’s first three baskets in overtime.
This is the Fever’s first trip to Toronto as they look to win the season series. The teams play again in Indiana in a month.
Indiana Fever vs. Toronto Tempo betting picks and predictions
Indiana Fever -10.5 (-115)
Indiana are favored by 10.5 points on the road, with a -525 moneyline, while Toronto sits at +390. The Fever covered as 8.5-point favorites when they hosted Toronto in June.
Indiana is 8-2 straight up and 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games. That includes a 3-0 ATS run in its last three games. Toronto is 0-10 straight up and 4-6 against the spread in its last 10 games, but has gone 2-1 ATS in its last three games. The Tempo are 0-4 ATS in their last four home contests.
Toronto have not played in front of their home fans in nearly three weeks, and that was a 104-72 blowout loss to Minnesota. Getting back Sykes, who was averaging 20.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 15 games, would be a huge lift, although her minutes would be expected to be managed if she does play.
Rookie guard Kiki Rice also recently returned from a lengthy stay on the injury list. She has worked her way back into game shape, averaging just 6.6 points in her first five games. However, she is averaging 15.5 points and 5.5 assists in her last two contests.
Unfortunately for the Tempo, the injury list is still full. Maria Conde (9 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Julie Allemand (6.6 ppg, 5.7 apg) both continue to be out. At the same time, Nyara Sabally, who is averaging 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, left last week’s Wings defeat and is out for multiple weeks with a left calf injury.
The Fever have Clark (back) and Aliyah Boston (lower leg), who had 18 points and 14 rebounds in Sunday’s comeback win over the Dream, listed as probable. Clark had 21 points and 14 assists, and Boston added 18 points and 11 rebounds in the team’s win over the Tempo in June.
Indiana should win this contest against a Toronto team that allows a league-worst 94.1 points per game and they are coming up against the WNBA’s highest-scoring offense.
The Fever, led by Kelsey Mitchell’s 27 points and Sophie Cunningham’s six 3-pointers and season-high 24 points, shot 43% (13-for-30) from beyond the arc in June’s easy win. It should be a similar result on Tuesday so take the Fever on the spread.
Over 190.5 points (-110)
These teams blew past the 180.5-point listed total in their first meeting and although Indiana has played to the under in four of their last five, they should have a field day against Toronto’s questionable defense.
Read more betting picks and predictions for the WNBA on site.
Indiana Fever vs. Toronto Tempo odds
Indiana Fever | -525 |
Toronto Tempo | +390 |
Spread | IND Fever -10.5 |
Total Points | O/U 190.5 |
Indiana Fever vs. Toronto Tempo player props
Player points
Kelsey Mitchell (IND Fever) | O/U 25.5 |
Caitlin Clark (IND Fever) | O/U 24.5 |
Aliyah Boston (IND Fever) | O/U 17.5 |
Marina Mabrey (TOR Tempo) | O/U 20.5 |
Isabelle Harrison (TOR Tempo) | O/U 12.5 |
Kiki Rice (TOR Tempo) | O/U 12.5 |
Read the latest WNBA news on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
