In the second match of the game day of the regular season of the Women's National Basketball Association, the "Indiana Fever" will host the "Atlanta Dream" on their home court. Can Caitlin Clark's team outplay a direct competitor for a playoff spot and secure their second consecutive victory?
In recent years, Indiana has had one of the weakest rosters in the league, with the last playoff appearance dating back to 2016. Last year, the team once again had an unsuccessful season, winning only 13 games and falling 5 victories short of making it to the playoffs. The draft lottery once again offered Indiana the first pick, and without hesitation, the club management selected the main star of college basketball in recent years, who set many scoring records in college, Caitlin Clark.
However, despite a bright debut (20 points) by Caitlin in the opening match, Indiana hopelessly lost to "Connecticut Sun" (92:71). This was followed by defeats against "New York Liberty" (66:102; 91:80), "Connecticut Sun" (84:88), and "Seattle Storm" (85:83). It was not until the 6th game of the season that Indiana secured their first victory by defeating the "Los Angeles Sparks" (73:78). Indiana then went through another losing streak, falling to the same "Sparks" (82:88), "Las Vegas Aces" (99:80), and "Seattle Storm" (88:103).
Last season, the Illinois team played in series: after 3-4 consecutive wins, they would suffer 5-6 defeats, and only the weak results of teams in the lower part of the standings allowed Chicago to make it to the playoffs. In the first round of the postseason, the Chicago players lost to the "Las Vegas Aces" in two matches (87:59; 92:70).
This season, the team started fairly well: two victories in the first three matches against "New York Liberty" (81:90) and "Dallas Wings" (74:83). In the remaining May games, "Sky" defeated "Los Angeles Sparks" but lost to "New York Liberty" (75:88) and "Indiana Fever" (71:70). June has thus far been absolutely disastrous. One victory in six matches is certainly not indicative of a team fighting for a playoff spot. A win against the weakest team of the regular season at the moment, the "Washington Mystics" (71:79), slightly improved the club's situation.
In the last head-to-head match of this season, the "Indiana Fever" emerged victorious (71:70).
"Indiana" looks decent in recent matches, but the team has significant defensive issues. In the last 4 matches, the "Fever" opponents have consistently scored more than 83 points. I believe, despite all the problems, the "Sky" has a good chance of scoring more than 82 points today.
Comments0