Washington Mystics vs. Indiana Fever Prediction: Fever Will Make it Four in a Row at Home

The Indiana Fever may have finally figured out how to win games…at home…against teams whose records are not higher than .500. But after suffering through a dreadful 1-8 start to the season, the team has gone 4-2 in their last six.

They'll look to make it 5-2 when they take on the Washington Mystics at home tonight; the Fever opened as 4.5-point favorites. Indiana was a 3.5-point favorite when they played the Mystics in Washington, D.C., on June 7 (Fever won 85-83).

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

Mystics vs. Fever Betting Odds for Wednesday, June 19

Whether the perception of a team is good or bad, every team typically plays better at home. But that wasn't quite the case for the Fever, who went 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS in home games in May. In comparison, they went 1-4 SU and 3-2 ATS on the road.

But something has clicked for Indiana at home halfway through June. They are undefeated at home (3-0 SU and ATS) and have won four in a row in Indianapolis since late May. They have yet to win on the road, of course, but they're playing at home tonight.

So, their road record is not relevant to the discussion.

As for Washington, the struggle has been real for the Mystics all season, as they started the year 0-12. But they are now working on a two-game winning streak after beating the Dream in Atlanta and Chicago at home. Indiana only beat them by two when they played on June 7.

For more betting insights on matchup, check our Daily WNBA Player Props and Best Bets.

Here is the betting line for the game with odds from BetMGM where you can get up to $1,500 in bonus bets with our code WSNMGM.

Mystics vs. Fever Prediction

Washington Mystics Preview

After an 0-12 start, what has changed about the Mystics, leading to a two-game winning streak?

They haven’t made any transactions since the season got underway. Shakira Austin has been out, but that’s nothing new. After making her return against Atlanta and helping the team get its first win of the season, Brittney Sykes got injured once again.

So, if personnel wasn’t a factor, what are the Mystics doing differently? In their win over the Dream, they played arguably their best defensive game of the season. Atlanta never scored more than 18 in a quarter, while the offense chipped in 25, 13, 26, and 23 points.

But against the Sky, one solid quarter led to the win. In the first, Washington outscored Chicago 24-10. The Sky chipped away at the lead for the rest of the game but couldn’t make up the entire deficit, losing by two 85-83.

Austin and Sykes have been ruled out for the Indiana game.

Bet on Washington Mystics at BetMGM

Indiana Fever Preview

The Fever had a tall order on hand when the 2024 WNBA season got underway. They played eight games in the first two weeks (and nine in May), five against teams that made the playoffs last season, including the 2X defending champion Las Vegas Aces.

It was hardly the kind of environment the team needed to figure out what worked and what needed work.

But then June 1 rolled around, and the team won its first home game of the season, a nail-biter against Chicago, 71-70. During the following three-game road trip, they lost to Connecticut and New York for the third time this season but picked up their third win with a victory over the Mystics.

Things picked up where they left off, back at home with a pair of solid wins, one over a decent Atlanta team (91-84) and another home win vs. Chicago. So, what changed from May to June? As strange as it may sound, the trick may be less Caitlin Clark.

By taking a little of the offensive focus off Clark and getting Aaliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell more involved, the offense went from eighth in scoring at home (80 ppg) to fourth (84.3 ppg). The change has been more dramatic for the defense (95.3 ppg (league-worst) to 79 ppg (sixth)).

Bet on Indiana Fever at BetMGM

Mystics vs. Fever - My Pick

The Fever have been on a roll at home, with wins in their last three home games. But from what the team has shown this season, it can be hard to have faith in them. Had they played better against or beaten New York or Connecticut, it would be easier, but they didn’t.

How much do we really want to read into two wins over the Sky and one vs. the Dream? Washington has struggled, but they nearly won the last time these teams played and have won their last two in a row.

Assuming the Fever continues to feature Boston and Mitchell as much as Clark, Indiana should cover the spread. If the Mystics give too much respect to Clark and not enough to Boston and Mitchell, they are good enough to lead the team to a win.

Of course, if they try to defend them over Clark, we may get another solid outing for the young rookie.

• My Pick: Fever to cover -4.5 (-105) at BetMGM

How to Watch Mystics vs. Fever

• Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.

• Game Time & Date: 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 19

• Coverage: NBA TV/MNMT