🏀 Valkyries vs. Fever Prediction: WNBA Picks for Friday, May 22
The Golden State Valkyries look to build on last night's upset win over the New York Liberty when they take on the Indiana Fever tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET (ION, WNBA League Pass) from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
With WNBA MVP odds contender Caitlin Clark being a game-time decision, my Valkyries vs. Fever prediction expects Golden State to challenge an Indiana team that's a 6.5-point betting favorite.
🏀 Valkyries vs. Fever prediction: WNBA picks
See all of our experts' WNBA picks based on the latest WNBA odds.
| 💰 Pick | ⚖️ Bet size (units) | 🧠 Why I bet this |
|---|---|---|
| Valkyries +6.5 (-110 via Caesars) | 1u → 0.91u | Golden State is among the best teams in the W ATS (3-1) |
| Under 169.5 (-120 via DraftKings) | 1u → 0.83u | The Valkyries have the league's best defense |
| Caitlin Clark Under 2.5 made 3-pointers (+100 via FanDuel) | 1u → 1u | Clark's dealing with a back injury and has struggled from behind the arc |
Total wagered: 3 units | Max profit: 2.74 units
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🏆 Who will win Valkyries vs. Fever?
Though I expect the Valkyries' defense to keep this game close, Indiana has more offensive firepower and home-court advantage. With Kelsey Mitchell playing like an MVP candidate, I expect Indiana to pull away late.
Score prediction: Fever 85, Valkyries 82
💰 Valkyries vs. Fever prediction & best bet
Valkyries +6.5 (-110)
While Golden State is playing on the road for a second straight night, Natalie Nakase's team loves to muck games up. The Valkyries have been a tough out since coming into the W last season, having covered in 31 of 50 games (62%).
This season, Golden State isn't just a scrappy expansion team, either, with the addition of Gabby Williams, the Valkyries lead the league in defensive rating (98.7) and points allowed per game (74.5).
Their style is the complete opposite of Indiana's, too, leaning on the league's best defense and the slowest offense to keep scoring down.
🪽 More WNBA action
For more WNBA action, don't miss my Wings vs. Dream prediction, which includes a player prop for Paige Bueckers.
🔥 Best Valkyries vs. Fever player prop bet
Cailtin Clark Under 2.5 made 3-pointers (+100)
It's been an iffy start to the season for Clark, who missed the Fever's last game with a back injury and is a game-time decision tonight. While her scoring numbers are among the best in the league, Clark's 3-point shooting remains a far cry from what we saw from her at Iowa.
Clark is hitting just 32.4% from behind the arc through four games, after shooting 27.9% from deep during her injury-riddled sophomore season. While her shooting volume is always reason to believe she will hit a few triples, Golden State's defense is holding opponents to just 31.4% from three.
With a loaded defense led by Williams, Veronica Burton, and Kiah Stokes, Clark and the Fever's offense will struggle with efficiency. Clark's gone Under 2.5 made threes in 10 of her last 11 games dating back to last season.
🚀 Valkyries vs. Fever same-game parlay
The Valkyries are built to slow this game down and lean on their defense to keep it close. With Clark's shooting issues continuing this season, Indiana will have a hard time winning by more than six points.
💵 Valkyries vs. Fever SGP picks
- Valkyries +6.5 (-115)
- Under 168.5 (-105)
- Caitlin Clark Under 2.5 made 3-pointers
Best odds: +417 via FanDuel (0.2u -> 0.83u)
💵 My betting record for WNBA picks
All WNBA picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since May 8.
| Bet type | Record | Net profit | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 22-24 | +2.73 units ✅ | 7.3% ✅ |
| Player props | 8-5 | +1.71 units ✅ | 13.1% ✅ |
| Parlays | 2-9 | +0.09 units ✅ | 4.4% ✅ |
📊 Live Valkyries vs. Fever odds
📺 How to watch Valkyries vs. Fever
- Date: Friday, May 22
- Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
- TV: ION
- Streaming: WNBA League Pass
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