Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks Prediction & Betting Picks (August 5, 2025)
The Los Angeles Sparks (12–15) will welcome the Indiana Fever (17–12) to California for a game that is more even than the standings look at first glance.
The Fever are doing just fine without Caitlin Clark; dare we say, more than fine? They’re in fifth place despite Clark’s absence, and the Sparks are still near the bottom but have shown some signs of life in recent games.
L.A. is coming off a 108–106 double-overtime win over Seattle, where Rickea Jackson dropped 27 and Dearica Hamby sealed it with a last-possession finish. All five starters scored in double figures, and four of them topped 20.
Indiana also beat the Storm, 78–74, behind 21 from Natasha Howard. Kelsey Mitchell had an off night shooting (3-for-16), but the Fever got enough out of the supporting group to close it out. They’re looking good without Clark, and it’s because of group effort on the glass and a solid, unselfish offense.
They’ve won three in a row on the road, but the Sparks have bested them two times this season.
Who do we think has the chops to pull off this win? Keep scrolling to see the matchup overview, trends, stats, the current betting odds, our picks for the three best bets, and our final score prediction!
Game Details
- Matchup: Indiana Fever (17–12) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (12–15)
- Date & Time: Tuesday, August 5, at 10 pm ET
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA
- How to Watch: ESPN2 or with the WNBA League Pass
Matchup Overview
Indiana Fever (17–12, 8–6 away)
Indiana comes into this on a five-game win streak, and they’ve done it without their star rookie. They’re putting up 85.1 points per game (4th in the league), with Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston stepping into bigger roles.
Defensively, they allow 80.8 PPG, which is slightly above league average, but have shown much better late-game execution. They’re also 6–3 ATS in their last nine on the road.
Los Angeles Sparks (12–15, 3–9 home)
The Sparks have won four of their last five overall, but their home form is still a problem; they’re only 2–8 ATS in their last 10 at Crypto.com Arena.
They’re allowing 88 points per game, which is one of the league’s highest marks, and haven’t had reliable stretches of stops. Dearica Hamby’s been the linchpin, but defensive lapses keep them stuck in close games or chasing deficits.
Recent Trends & Key Stats
This game will hint on how Indiana’s defense holds up against L.A.’s interior-focused attack. The Sparks rely on early seals from Hamby and quick reads in the paint, but Indiana’s help coverage has leveled up during their streak. The Fever’s off-ball movement and mid-post actions through Boston could stretch a Sparks defense that’s been slow to rotate all season.
Head-to-Head History
- The Sparks beat the Fever twice this season: 89–79 on June 26 and 87–85 on July 5.
- L.A. has won 7 of its last 8 home games against Indiana.
Scoring & Pace Trends
- Indiana is putting up 85.1 points per game, and that’s good for top four in the league.
- The Sparks are right up there with them at 85.5 PPG.
- Total points in Sparks games are averaging 173.5, and that’s just under the posted number.
- The Over has landed in 6 of Indiana’s last 9 and 7 of L.A.’s last 10.
Injuries
- Caitlin Clark is still out with a groin injury and isn’t expected to return to the court until mid-August.
- The Sparks have no major injuries. Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum are shouldering a bigger offensive load with extended minutes.
Betting Odds
What does the betting market have to say about this game? Here are the current odds and lines via ESPN BET:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Fever | -1.5 (-110) | -125 | Over 176.5 (-105) |
Sparks | +1.5 (-110) | +105 | Under 176.5 (-115) |
FYI: Odds can and do shift as tip-off gets closer, so don’t forget to check what the latest lines are before you place a wager!
Our Best Bets
Ready for our best bets? We’ve looked at the data and market trends, and we’ve landed on three:
| Bet | Confidence Level | Why Do We Like It? |
|---|---|---|
Fever –1.5 -110 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | Indiana’s been the more dependable team on the road, and the Sparks keep losing winnable home games. |
Over 176.5 (-105) | ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) | Because both teams are averaging over 85 points and the pace is trending high, the over has value. |
Fever +105 | ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) | The spread is tight, but Indiana’s form and depth give them the advantage in a close contest. |
Storylines to Watch
And last but not least, here are the main storylines to watch out for during the game!
- Can Indiana adjust to L.A.’s defensive scheme without Caitlin Clark? The Sparks have thrown aggressive perimeter traps at Kelsey Mitchell and shown a willingness to switch across 1–3 to disrupt dribble hand-offs. Without Clark’s ball-handling to relieve pressure or stretch defenses from deep? Indiana needs better off-ball movement and quicker decisions from Kristy Wallace and Erica Wheeler to avoid stagnant half-court sets.
- Which second unit holds up during transition-heavy stretches? Both teams run close to 80 possessions per game, and the pace doesn’t drop much when starters sit. Indiana’s bench has logged fewer points per game than L.A.’s over the last 5 matchups, and Temi Fagbenle is still ramping up. The Sparks have leaned hard on Rae Burrell and Layshia Clarendon for energy minutes, and if they can win those mid-quarter stints, it keeps Hamby and Jackson in fresher condition for when it’s crunch time.
- Can the Sparks fix their late-game execution at home? L.A. has dropped 7 of their last 9 home games, and a big reason is late-possession breakdowns. They’ve rushed shots under pressure and allowed mismatches to be exploited on switches. Against a Fever team that doesn’t turn the ball over much (league-best 12.1 TO/G), the Sparks need tighter sets, fewer isolation possessions, and better spacing if they’re going to steer clear of another fourth-quarter collapse.
Why We’re Backing the Fever Caitlin Clark-less
Final Score Prediction: Indiana Fever 88 – Los Angeles Sparks 83
Indiana’s offense has looked a lot more connected without Clark (sorry, Caitlin); they’ve been getting more touches per possession, have better off-ball movement, and fewer stalled possessions. Mitchell’s been freed up as the primary scorer, and the Smith-Boston duo has forced defenses to cover more ground with better floor spacing.
Unfortunately, L.A. can’t say the same on defense. They rotate late on shooters, overhelp on drives, and rarely close possessions with a rebound. Even when they’re putting up points? They give a lot back on the other end during close games on their home court.
Indiana has cleaned up its late-game execution, and their road numbers back it up. The Sparks can score, but they’ve let too many winnable games get away from them at Crypto.com Arena. If this one follows the recent patterns, Indiana’s structure and shot selection win out.
Best Bets Recap
- Fever –1.5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Over 176.5: ⭐⭐⭐
- Fever ML: ⭐⭐⭐
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