The Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces meet Thursday night in a decisive Game 3 with a spot in the WNBA semifinals on the line.
The Fever visit the Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena at 9 PM ET after extending their season with a 99-89 victory Tuesday night in Indianapolis.
Indiana bounced back from a 102-85 loss in Game 1 behind an historic performance from Caitlin Clark.
Clark finished with 27 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record at least 25 points and 15 assists in a game, regular season or playoffs.
Kelsey Mitchell added 26 points, while Aliyah Boston had 22 points and 11 rebounds as Indiana's three stars combined for 75 points.
Jackie Young led Las Vegas with 31 points, while A'ja Wilson finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. Chelsea Gray added 14 points and nine assists.
Indiana trailed 26-18 after the first quarter before outscoring Las Vegas 54-34 over the next two periods. The Aces cut a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to three, but the Fever responded and pulled away.
Now the series returns to Las Vegas, where the Aces dominated Game 1 and where one team's season will end.
Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces betting picks and predictions
Indiana Fever +4.5 (-110)
Las Vegas has home-court advantage in the deciding game, but Indiana has demonstrated throughout the season that it can create problems for the Aces.
The Fever won both regular-season meetings in Las Vegas, including a 109-75 rout there in July.
Then came the playoffs.
Las Vegas dominated Game 1 behind Wilson's 38 points and 16 rebounds, but Indiana responded with a much different performance Tuesday.
Clark was the difference.
After finishing with 15 points and 10 assists in Game 1, she controlled Game 2 with 27 points and 15 assists. Her ability to create for Mitchell and Boston helped Indiana score 58 points in the paint, a franchise playoff record.
Boston was particularly important.
The Fever center followed an 18-point Game 1 with 22 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday, giving Indiana an interior scoring threat to counter Wilson.
Las Vegas remains dangerous, especially at home. Wilson scored 38 points on 15-of-19 shooting there Sunday, while the Aces shot 59.4% from the field.
But Indiana has now beaten Las Vegas three times in five meetings this season and has been competitive in four of those games.
The Fever also proved Tuesday they can survive a big performance from Young, who scored 31 points, and a fourth-quarter Las Vegas push.
A deciding road playoff game is a difficult assignment, but Indiana's offense gives it enough firepower to stay within the number.
Take the points with the Fever.
Over 181.5 points (-110)
The first two games of this series have produced 187 and 188 combined points.
That isn't particularly surprising considering these were two of the WNBA's best offensive teams during the regular season.
Indiana led the league at 96.0 points per game, while Las Vegas ranked second at 91.5.
Both teams have also shown they can score efficiently against the other.
Las Vegas shot nearly 60% from the field while scoring 102 points in Game 1. Indiana answered with 99 points Tuesday despite Clark fouling out with 2:45 remaining.
The Fever's Game 2 performance also looked more sustainable than Las Vegas' extraordinary shooting in the opener.
Indiana generated much of its offense inside, scoring 58 points in the paint. Clark's 15 assists consistently created quality opportunities for Boston, Mitchell and the rest of the Fever offense.
Las Vegas should also benefit from returning home.
Wilson scored 38 points in Game 1 at Michelob ULTRA Arena, and Young is coming off her best offensive performance of the series.
There is also little reason for Indiana to abandon the aggressive approach that worked Tuesday.
The Fever were at their best when Clark pushed the pace, attacked the defense and created opportunities for teammates.
A winner-take-all game can become more deliberate late, but these teams have already shown they are comfortable playing at a high offensive tempo.
With both games in the series reaching at least 187 combined points, look for another high-scoring matchup this evening.
Read more betting picks and predictions for the WNBA on site.
Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces odds
Indiana Fever | +160 |
Las Vegas Aces | -190 |
Spread | LV Aces -4.5 |
Total Points | O/U 181.5 |
Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces
Player points
Kelsey Mitchell (IND Fever) | O/U 24.5 |
Caitlin Clark (IND Fever) | O/U 22.5 |
Aliyah Boston (IND Fever) | O/U 15.5 |
A’ja Wilson (LV Aces) | O/U 27.5 |
Jackie Young (LV Aces) | O/U 20.5 |
Chelsea Gray (LV Aces) | O/U 12.5 |
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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.
