Sports betting is often an exercise that focuses on “What have you done for me lately?”
The Indiana Fever, playing without star Caitlin Clark, just won the Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday with a convincing win at the Minnesota Lynx. Indy was a double-digit underdog and played very well.
Videos also surfaced of them rightfully celebrating in the locker room. Less than 48 hours later, the Fever host the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday as 3.5-point home underdogs.
This sure seems like a really difficult situation for Indiana, coming off an emotional high with each player also collecting a five-figure check for the victory.
Last season, Minnesota won the Commissioner’s Cup and lost its next game as a 9.5-point favorite. In 2023, the New York Liberty won it and lost their next game by double digits as a 5.5-point underdog.
This does not guarantee anything, but it does indicate that the situational handicap has merit. Games are not played in a vacuum. Players are human beings and there is an understandable ebb and flow.
Clark is nearing a return from her left groin injury. She is not yet a full participant at practice, so I am anticipating she does not suit up for the Fever. However, there is no official word.
Las Vegas has struggled this year and is currently tied for the final playoff spot. However, the Aces may have righted the ship in their most recent game, picking up a big road win over the Phoenix Mercury. That could serve as a nice springboard, as they begin a critical stretch of four road games in eight days.
I have a 52-44-1 ATS record in this Post sports section. My next play is the Aces -3.5 at the Fever (-110, FanDuel).
Doug Kezirian is a New York Post contributor who has over two decades of experience in the betting space, including spending 11 years at ESPN as a host, columnist and betting analyst. He’s also the rare personality who has documented success – 14th place in 2023 Circa Million and Las Vegas SuperContest ($37K), two top-10 finishes in 2022 William Hill College Football Challenge ($58K) and also grabbed headlines with a $297K win on the 2021 NFL Draft.