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WNBA bets and fantasy picks: Can Caitlin Clark surpass her points total?

Each night, our team of fantasy and betting experts will break down every game on the WNBA slate, making note of everything from injuries and lineup changes to recent trends and more.

Here's what to look for tonight:

The Indiana Fever host the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the lone game on the WNBA slate Thursday.

All eyes will likely be on 2024 No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark in her home debut against Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and a Liberty team that made the WNBA Finals last season.

Thursday's Fantasy Stream Team

Erica Wheeler, Indiana Fever (Rostered in 18.6% of ESPN leagues)

Wheeler started Tuesday against the Connecticut Sun and racked up 14 fantasy points. She could easily surpass that total Thursday against a weak Liberty backcourt defense. Wheeler has the talent to contribute across multiple statistical areas (points, rebounds, assists, and steals), and that's exactly what you want in a streamer, especially in a matchup with such a high point total.

Picks, Projections and Injury Reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. All odds are provided by ESPN BET.


New York Liberty at Indiana Fever
7 p.m. ET, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis


Line: Liberty -7.5
Money line: Liberty (-310), Fever (+240)
Total: 168.5 points

BPI prediction:
Liberty: 65% chance to win.
Projected margin of victory: 4.2 points

Injury report
Liberty: No injuries reported
Fever: Damiris Dantas (Out)

Best bet: Caitlin Clark over 20.5 points.

Clark had a 40% usage rate in her WNBA debut against the Sun on Tuesday. Even though she went only 5-of-15 from the field, Clark faces a much easier matchup against the Liberty's defensive backcourt.

Best bet: Sabrina Ionescu over 16.5 points.

Ionescu finished with just 15 points against the Mystics on Tuesday but played a team-high 34 minutes. She struggled with her efficiency, hitting only four of 12 field goal attempts. However, Ionescu should bounce back nicely against the Fever on Thursday night. She averaged 17.0 PPG and attempted 8.0 3-pointers per game last season, so expect her to return to that form.

Best bet: NaLyssa Smith over 8.5 rebounds.

Smith finished with a team-high nine rebounds against the Sun on Tuesday and has a history of success against the Liberty on the boards. She surpassed this total in 58% of her games last season, including two games against New York. Expect Smith to be busy on the glass.