WNBA Betting: Will Caitlin Clark and the Fever Make the Playoffs?

13d

WNBA Betting: Will Caitlin Clark and the Fever Make the Playoffs?

It's been a long time, but the Indiana Fever are in a good spot to make their return to the playoffs this season.

The 2024 WNBA season officially tips off on May 14th and the excitement might be higher than ever for the league. A big reason for that is the Fever and what is coming with them in 2024 after drafting Caitlin Clark with the first overall pick. Indiana hasn't made the playoffs since 2015. Can they change their luck in the highly anticipated campaign?

Let's dive into the Indiana Fever's odds to Make the 2024 WNBA Playoffs.

Odds via the WNBA odds at FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change after this article is published.

Indiana Fever Odds to Make the 2024 WNBA Playoffs

Yes: -225
No: +172

Why Indiana Could Make the Playoffs (-225)

After two straight years of having the first overall selection, it's time that the Indiana Fever make a long-awaited splash.

The Fever haven't made the playoffs since the 2016 season. They haven't won 20-plus since 2015, and their last WNBA Finals appearance came that same year. It's been a long road back to the top for the Fever; long gone are the days of Tamika Catchings leading the way. But, that's okay because they have a new big two to do just that.

Caitlin Clark is getting all the headlines and for good reason -- especially after her college career at Iowa. She's already showing in the preseason that the switch from collegiate to professional basketball shouldn't be too much of a problem, either. Clark played 28:10, shooting 40% from the field and scoring 21 points. It was a strong start for her -- even if the Fever came up short in the exhibition.

Another reason they can make the playoffs will be the growth of 2023 first overall selection, Aliyah Boston. Boston averaged 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks while also shooting 57.8% from the field. Considering that the Fever made the jump from 5 wins to 13 wins in her rookie season, it's a credit to what she was able to do.

Other major players that should help the push for playoffs include NaLyssa Smith and Erica Wheeler. Smith averaged 14.5 points in 2023 and should be a great third option along with Clark and Boston.

Now that these two are paired up and their team is overall in a better place, making the playoffs feels very much in play. Last season, the final playoff spot was earned by the Chicago Sky, who won 18 games in total.

The Fever have all the talent to make the playoffs, so it'll be about meshing as a team. Don't expect them to jump into the elite this season, but they should be able to earn themselves a spot if all goes right.

Why Indiana Could Miss the Playoffs (+172)

Not everything can be fixed overnight, and the league has become more competitive beyond just the Fever.

Indiana is a young team with Clark and Boston at the top. They've got just one year of WNBA experience between them, which will matter. Veterans like Diana Taurasi have already made it clear it won't be as easy for someone like Clark in her first year. Of course, she made it look pretty easy in her first preseason game, but it'll be different when the competitive levels heighten.

Also, while the Fever did make a big step out of the non-playoff teams to try and make it in the 2024 WNBA season, it was the Seattle Storm that stole the show. Seattle went out of their way to pair 2023 scoring leader Jewell Loyd with the all-star duo of Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith. That alone makes the Storm another elite team in the league, and seeing a fellow team that missed the playoffs reach such potential will make it hard for the Fever to compete.

And, as always with sports, health will play an important part for the Fever. With who they are leaning on, it's always best to keep in mind that if anyone of their young stars go down, it could spell trouble for the Fever.

Ultimately, I like the Fever to Make the Playoffs (-225). They're such a talented team now that should be able to sneak in a spot, which is all the bet needs to hit. The odds reflect that.

Take your sports betting to the next level with the FanDuel Parlay Hub! Explore a curated selection of popular parlays for trending games on FanDuel Sportsbook. Learn about today’s other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Looking for more WNBA betting opportunities? Check out the WNBA odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.