The Indiana Fever head to Target Center on Sunday evening to face the Minnesota Lynx in a 7:00 PM EDT cross-conference showdown, airing on CBSSN, FanDuel Sports Network – North, and WTHR Channel 13. Tickets start as low as $15, giving Minneapolis fans a chance to catch this high-stakes rematch. The Lynx, with a dominant 29-7 record, are 9.5-point home favorites with an over/under of 165.5 points, fresh off a 95-90 win over the Fever on August 22. Indiana, at 19-17, is fighting for playoff positioning but faces a tall order against the WNBA’s top team. With Minnesota leading the season series 1-0, this game promises intensity.
Position-by-Position Breakdown
Point Guard – Odyssey Sims runs Indiana’s offense with 4.7 assists and 8.5 points, bringing veteran spark but facing a tough matchup. Courtney Williams leads the Lynx with 6.1 assists and 13.8 points, a steady hand who keeps their attack humming.
Shooting Guard – Kelsey Mitchell is Indiana’s scoring engine, averaging 20.6 points and dropping 27 in their last loss to Minnesota. Kayla McBride counters for the Lynx with 15.0 points and 39.2% three-point shooting, coming off a 29-point outburst on Friday.
Small Forward – Lexie Hull gives the Fever hustle and 7.1 points, but she’ll need to step up defensively. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota’s MVP candidate, dominates with 23.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, though she’s questionable with an ankle injury.
Power Forward – Natasha Howard anchors Indiana with 11.6 points and 6.8 rebounds, a two-way force who’ll battle in the paint. Alanna Smith provides the Lynx with 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds, stretching the floor with her shooting.
Center – Aliyah Boston holds it down for the Fever with 15.2 points and 8.3 rebounds, a key rebounder after a 14-point, seven-rebound game. Jessica Shepard rounds out Minnesota’s lineup with 8.3 points and 7.4 rebounds, posting a triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) in Friday’s win.
Game Outlook
The Lynx are the WNBA’s best, leading the league in defensive efficiency (76.4 PPG allowed) and ranking first in field goal percentage (46.9%). They edged the Fever 95-90 on August 22, outscoring them 32-17 in the third quarter, with McBride and Shepard leading the charge. Indiana, despite their 19-17 record, ranks fourth in offense (85.1 PPG) but struggles defensively (10th, 82.4 PPG allowed). The Fever’s fast pace (fifth in the league) could push the tempo, but Minnesota’s depth and home dominance (16-1 at Target Center) make them tough to beat. If Collier plays, the Lynx could pull away, but Indiana’s shooters, led by Mitchell, might keep it competitive early.
Best Bets
- Minnesota Lynx -9.5 – The Lynx’s elite defense and home-court dominance make them a strong pick to cover against a Fever team with defensive struggles.
- Over 165.5 Total Points – Indiana’s fast pace and Minnesota’s efficient offense suggest a game that could clear this total, as seen in their 185-point meeting on Friday.
- Kelsey Mitchell Over 19.5 Points – Mitchell’s cleared this mark in 15 of her last 20 games and will need to go off to keep Indiana in the game.
Final Score Prediction
Minnesota Lynx 92 – Indiana Fever 81
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