Fever vs. Sun Prediction and Caitlin Clark Player Props: All Eyes on Fever

The Caitlin Clark Era will get underway for the Indiana Fever when they take on the Connecticut Sun on the road in their season opener Tuesday night on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. Indiana was swept by the Sun last season, going 4-0 SU but only 1-3 ATS. All four games finished UNDER the listed total. 

Indiana has not beaten Connecticut on the road since the 2016 season. The Sun opened as 5.5-point favorites, but the line has since moved to 6 points.  

Fever vs. Sun Betting Odds for Tuesday, May 14

Connecticut was one of the better teams in the WNBA last year, finishing with a 27-13 regular season record. They were the betting favorite in 24 games and went 18-6 ATS in those contests. 

The Fever were not nearly as successful, going 13-27 and missing out on the playoffs for the seventh year in a row. Indiana was the underdog in half of their regular season games (20) but managed to win four of those games outright.

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Fever vs. Sun Prediction

Indiana Fever Preview

All eyes will be on the Fever in the season opener, but not necessarily because they are viewed as potential contenders this year. No, everyone wants to see if NCAAW phenom Caitlin Clark can light up the scoreboard in the pros as she did in college. Based on what we saw during the preseason—she might.

Clark had a solid outing against Dallas in her preseason opener, shooting 5-13 from three-point range (6-15 overall) for 21 points. But she didn’t do as well in the second game, vs. Atlanta (2-9 from three-point range and 4-12 overall for 12 points). 

But what will be interesting to see is how much the Fever leans on Clark. She will likely be at the center of attention this year, but Indiana has a solid roster, including last year’s No.1 pick and Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, and two former lottery picks, NaLyssa Smith (No. 2, 2022) and Kelsey Mitchell (No. 2, 2018).

Focus too much on stopping Clark and the rest of the roster will get the job done. But if teams don’t give Clark enough attention, she could heat up and blow the game open by herself.

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Connecticut Sun Preview

The Sun has been the team that’s good but not quite good enough the last couple of years, losing in the Finals two years ago and in the second round last season. But with a solid core returning and the addition of Leila Lacan, the Sun are expected to make another championship push behind their MVP candidate, Alyssa Thomas.

Thomas was not the scoring threat that Aija Wilson or Breanna Stewart were last season, but you could argue that she had a more well-rounded game. The 6’2” forward came close to averaging a triple-double with 15.5 ppg, 9.9 rpg, and 7.9 ppg.

Heading into the season, the Sun will likely not look to make any significant changes to their play. What they did last season worked; they played solid offense (fourth in the league, 82.7 ppg) and had the top-scoring defense (79 ppg/allowed).

The Sun does not need to do anything different; they just need to pick up where they left off.

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Caitlin Clark Player Props

Expectations are high for Caitlin Clark heading into the opener against the Sun. While she played well during preseason action—it was the preseason. How will she fare against an opponent actively trying to shut her down?

Your answer to that question will likely dictate how you approach betting on her player props (odds via DraftKings):

• Points—O/U 21.5 (-115/-115) at DraftKings

Clark will get her shots, but will she get enough open looks at the basket to go over 21.5 points? That’s hard to say. Connecticut had the best defense in the league last season, and with most of the team back, there is no reason to think it will not be just as good this year.

• Three Pointers—O/U 3.5 (-105/-115) at DraftKings

The Sun had the best three-point defense last season, holding opponents to 32.1%. Expecting Clark to have a solid night right out of the game against the best three-point defense in the league may be asking a little much of her. 

Then again, she is a three-point shooter. If she lives up to her reputation, she’ll hit her shots no matter how good the defense plays her.

• Rebounds—O/U 4.5 (-115/-115) at DraftKings

Neither team dominated the boards last season; Indiana ranked seventh (34 rpg) while Connecticut ranked eighth ( 33.6 rpg). Asking a player who averaged 7.4 RPG in college to pull down at least five may not be asking too much against a sub-par rebounding team.

• Assists— O/U 6.5 (-110/-120) at DraftKings

Much of the defensive focus will likely be on Clark. While we will expect her to shoot from three-point range early and often, she is an intelligent player. When the defense starts to key on her, Clark will look for her teammates.

Bet on Caitlin Clark Props at DraftKings

Fever vs. Sun - My Picks

• Sun -5.5 at -110 at DraftKings

• Caitlin Clark props: OVER 4.5 rebounds and OVER 6.5 assists at DraftKings

Connecticut is a solid offensive and defensive team playing an Indiana team with the worst defense in the league last season. Adding Clark to the lineup will give the offense a boost, and she could make the defense better. But enough to beat the Sun? Don’t count on it.

It’s too soon to bet on Caitlin Clark’s scoring props; they could go either way. But she is an intelligent player, and while the Sun defense may limit her success on the scoreboard, she’ll find other ways to contribute.

How to Watch Fever vs. Sun

• Location: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT

• Game Time & Date: 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

• TV Network: ESPN 2

• Streaming: ESPN+, Disney +