Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics Prediction: A Good Game For An SGP

It's a game someone has to win, right? A game between the two teams with the worst records in the league will kick off a four-game slate Friday night as the Washington Mystics host the Indiana Fever. Despite its dreadful record, Washington opened as 1.5-point favorites, likely because they're at home.

While homecourt is usually an advantage, that benefit is muted for the Mystics since this game is the second half of a back-to-back; they hosted the Chicago Sky Thursday and lost 79-71. On the other hand, Indiana hasn't played since getting demolished by the Liberty in New York on Sunday.

Let's look at the betting odds for Fever vs. Mystics, along with our preview and pick for the game.

Fever vs. Mystics Betting Odds for Friday, June 7

The all-time series between these teams has been incredibly close. Of their 79 meetings, the Mystics have won 40 to the Fever's 39. Both have won a little over 50% of the home games (52.5%, Washington; 51.3%, Indiana). The Mystics have averaged 74.4 ppg; the Fever, 73.5 ppg.

They split the season series last season, winning one on the road and one at home.

Teams and players that have been struggling need one game against a lesser opponent to get on track. However, it is hard to say who the lesser opponent is with these two teams. Washington is the winless team, but Indiana's play has been erratic all season.

Here's the betting line for Fever vs. Sky with odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Head over to FanDuel and claim $200 in Bonus Bets when wagering $5!

Fever vs. Mystics Preview

Indiana Fever Preview

• 2-9 SU, 5-6 ATS

• The OVER is 7-4.

After playing games at a seemingly breakneck speed to start the season, the Fever will go into tonight's contest with the Mystics, who have not played since Sunday. Not only have they had time to get some much-needed rest, but they've had time to get in some equally much-needed practice.

The time off did something else the Fever really needed - it gave them time to process and put Sunday's dreadful outing against the Liberty behind them. It was as bad as a loss can get, with the offense practically nonexistent and the defense, too.

For the second time this season, an opponent's defense held the offense to less than 70 points; the other game was also vs. the Liberty. It was the third time this season the league's worst defense gave up over 100 points (102 to the Liberty and 103 to Seattle).

But luckily, they are facing a team with the league's worst offense (72.3 ppg), whose leading scorer (Ariel Atkins) is averaging just 13.2 points per game, and a defense that allows teams to hit 46.2% of their shots (second worst in the league).

Bet on Indiana Fever at FanDuel

Washington Mystics Preview

• 0-10 SU, 4-5-1 ATS

• The OVER is 4-6.

It looked like the Mystics would finally earn win No.1 of the season last night. They led the Chicago Sky at the half, 44-35. But much like it has all season, one dreadful quarter cost them the game. The Sky came out firing in the second half and wasted no time erasing the deficit, outscoring Washington 25-15.

With the score just 60-54 heading into the final quarter, the game was far from over. The Mystics even cut the deficit down to two with a little over three minutes to go. But then the Sky went on a 6-2 to push the lead back out to six with 50 seconds left to play.

Rookie Aaliyah Edwards had the first double-double of her career with a season-high 23 points and 14 rebounds, but there were no other bright spots for the Mystics in this game. The other four starters recorded a total of 27 points.

Heading into the game vs. the Fever, will they be tired and emotionally drained from coming close but losing yet again?

Bet on Washington Mystics at FanDuel

Fever vs. Mystics Pick

When two poor teams face off, one of three things tends to happen:

• One team will rise up and dominate the other.

• Both teams will be terrible.

• Both teams play well, and it is a competitive game.

Washington is already on the struggle bus, and playing the second half of a back-to-back will not help matters.  We don't have too much faith in the Fever to play well, but all the rest has to do something for Indiana.

The Fever must be getting a lot of support from bettors. In the span of a couple of hours Thursday night, the spread flipped from +1.5 Indiana to -1.5.

We think bettors are on to something here and took advantage of a favorable line before sportsbooks could adjust it. As for our pick, we like a same-game parlay here.

• My Pick: Fever ML (-130) and UNDER 161.5 (-110); SGP odds-- +219 at FanDuel Sportsbook

How to Watch Fever vs. Mystics

• Location: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.

• Game Time & Date: 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 7, 2024.

• Streaming: ION