Indiana Fever Schedule Preview: July 17 - 22
Indiana Fever Schedule Preview: July 17 - 22
Written by Eric Nemchock (@nemchocke) on 17 July 2018
Written by Eric Nemchock
(@nemchocke) on 17 July 2018
At 2-20, it's getting difficult to not start prematurely counting lottery balls.
At 2-20, it's getting difficult to not start prematurely counting lottery balls.
There was a time this season when Indiana was dropping close games, whether it was due to the inexperience of their roster or even just missing a few open shots down the stretch. One would think that things would even out as the season went on and that a team that was probably better than its record would pick up a few more wins eventually.
Lately, though, things have been headed in the opposite direction. Since their improbable victory at Minnesota, the Fever have dropped four straight games by an average of 22 points. Rookies Kelsey Mitchell and Victoria Vivians are struggling again, which means there's not much going on for the Fever offensively, and the team lacks the size necessary to consistently clamp down on opponents.
Indiana is now a woeful 2-20 on the season, and in a year in which WNBA parity is among the highest it's ever been, the Fever continue to lag behind. A three-game road trip this week only makes things more challenging.
Wednesday, July 18: at Minnesota Lynx (1:00 pm ET)
The Lynx have been looking vulnerable lately, going through a stretch of poor play that began versus this same Fever team back in early July. Cheryl Reeve has openly questioned her team's willpower, and it would be a surprise to see another lethargic effort from the defending champs. The Fever will need to match this energy on the road and clog the paint against Sylvia Fowles in order to pull off a win here.
Friday, July 20: at Los Angeles Sparks
Personnel-wise, this is a tough matchup for Indiana. They haven't beaten the Sparks since May of 2017 (a game in which Indiana shot 11-16 from 3-point range), and they've lost both of their games against LA this season by double digits.
They'll catch a break, though, if Sparks wing Alana Beard is still sidelined. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year sat out LA's last game with a groin injury, and if she doesn't play in this game, it could be a good opportunity for Mitchell and Vivians to get back on track.
Sunday, July 22: Las Vegas Aces
These two teams last met in early June, and have gone in their own separate ways since then. Vegas is now competing for a playoff spot, while the Fever...aren't.
Indiana will need to play better defense on A'ja Wilson, obviously, lest they give up 35 points to her again. Despite the Aces' recent hot streak, this is still a game the Fever can win, but they'll need to have fresh legs at the end of this road trip.
There was a time this season when Indiana was dropping close games, whether it was due to the inexperience of their roster or even just missing a few open shots down the stretch. One would think that things would even out as the season went on and that a team that was probably better than its record would pick up a few more wins eventually.
Lately, though, things have been headed in the opposite direction. Since their improbable victory at Minnesota, the Fever have dropped four straight games by an average of 22 points. Rookies Kelsey Mitchell and Victoria Vivians are struggling again, which means there's not much going on for the Fever offensively, and the team lacks the size necessary to consistently clamp down on opponents.
Indiana is now a woeful 2-20 on the season, and in a year in which WNBA parity is among the highest it's ever been, the Fever continue to lag behind. A three-game road trip this week only makes things more challenging.
Wednesday, July 18: at Minnesota Lynx (1:00 pm ET)
The Lynx have been looking vulnerable lately, going through a stretch of poor play that began versus this same Fever team back in early July. Cheryl Reeve has openly questioned her team's willpower, and it would be a surprise to see another lethargic effort from the defending champs. The Fever will need to match this energy on the road and clog the paint against Sylvia Fowles in order to pull off a win here.
Friday, July 20: at Los Angeles Sparks
Personnel-wise, this is a tough matchup for Indiana. They haven't beaten the Sparks since May of 2017 (a game in which Indiana shot 11-16 from 3-point range), and they've lost both of their games against LA this season by double digits.
They'll catch a break, though, if Sparks wing Alana Beard is still sidelined. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year sat out LA's last game with a groin injury, and if she doesn't play in this game, it could be a good opportunity for Mitchell and Vivians to get back on track.
Sunday, July 22: Las Vegas Aces
These two teams last met in early June, and have gone in their own separate ways since then. Vegas is now competing for a playoff spot, while the Fever...aren't.
Indiana will need to play better defense on A'ja Wilson, obviously, lest they give up 35 points to her again. Despite the Aces' recent hot streak, this is still a game the Fever can win, but they'll need to have fresh legs at the end of this road trip.