Published on: May 22, 2022 2:50 pm IST|Updated on: May 22, 2022 2:50 pm IST
CON vs IND Dream11: The WNBA Season is raging right now and oh boy, what intensity and riveting battles we have seen with the season barely two weeks in. In this incredible season, we have seen a bunch of players stepping their games up while the battles for the spots have also been in great flow. In this game, the Connecticut Sun will visit the Indiana Fever which will be the second game between them in two days.
The Suns won the last game against Fever 94:85 as Brionna Jones clicked for 19 points and 8 rebounds. The Sun did a great job in the second half of pushing the pace and their defense showed its full grip. On the other hand, the Fever saw a great performance from Kelsey Mitchell, who brought in 23 points but without NaLyssa Smith, their frontline looks a bit compromised. The Sun has won three of their four games while the Fever has lost five out of their seven games. Can the Fever get some team here against a tough Sun team?
Host: Indiana Fever Visitors: Connecticut Sun Match Timing: 22 May, @ 11:30 AM (+05:30 UTC) Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Fever needs more to do defensively, Sun can be even better
Losing NaLyssa Smith has been a tough one for the Fever, considering the team’s rebounding, scoring, and overall defense has been down. Against elite teams, especially like the Sun, that are amazing at offensive rebounding, her loss can be especially felt. In the last game too, the Sun captured 11 rebounds, wreaking havoc inside, and getting multiple taps, whereas Fever had just 3 rebounds on the offensive end.
The Fever also committed 19 turnovers, compared to 15 by Sun and that is because the Sun has an incredible perimeter defense, getting a bunch of deflections and establishing a running game. Kelsey Mitchell made some unbelievably difficult shots in the last game for the Fever and she was forced to finish over even three defenders at times, which means the Sun had contained the Fever well.
The difference between the Fever and the Sun frontline is immense, considering that the Sun has more experience, physicality, and prowess overall. For the Fever to win, Queen Egbo and Emily Engstler will need to step it up offensively and need to figure out a way how to tackle the likes of Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas, and a pesky perimeter guard. The problem is that apart from Mitchell and Vivians, there is a lack of shot creators for the Fever even if Danielle Robinson made some riveting drives.
Performances Predictions Top Scorer: Jonquel Jones: 22 Top Rebounder: Queen Egbo: 9 Highest assists deliverer: Kelsey Mitchell: 5 Scoreline Prediction: Sun 86 Fever 76
Indiana Fever Team News
Fever Expected Starting Five Defensive Forward: F: Emily Engstler Inside Presence: C: Queen Egbo Scoring Guard: G: Kelsey Mitchell Slashing Guard: G: Victoria Vivians Driving Guard: G: Danielle Robinson
BENCH: Alanna Smith, Destanni Henderson, Lexie Hull, Alaina Coates, Tiffany Mitchell.
Connecticut Sun Team News
Sun Expected Starting Five Quick Scorer: F: DeWanna Bonner Disruptive Fastbreak Wing: SF: Alyssa Thomas All-Around Two-Way Forward: PF: Jonquel Jones Veteran Guard: G: Jazmine Thomas Isolation Scorer: SG: Courtney Williams
BENCH: Joyner Holmes, Brionna Jones, Natisha Hiedeman, DiJonai Carrington, Yvonne Anderson, Nia Clouden.
Jonquel Jones(CON) Points: 19 Rebounds: 08 Assists: 02 Blocks: 01 Steals: 01 Jonquel is a superstar player who is one of the best players and can score from high-post, low-post, outside, and can change the game. I believe she will be in 18-25 points, 7-11 rebounds, and 1-3 blocks/steals range. She can be selected as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 30-45
Kelsey Mitchell(IND) Points: 23 Rebounds: 00 Assists: 05 Blocks: 01 Guard Kelsey was wonderful in the last game. She is a highly effective outside shooter and also made some terrific shots inside. I believe she will be in 18-25 points and 4-6 assists range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 22-32
Alyssa Thomas(CON) Points: 17 Rebounds: 07 Assists: 03 Steals: 03 Blocks: 01 Thomas is an incredible inside scorer who can notch a bunch of boards while also running hard and finishing with floaters, teardrops, and a ton of moves. I believe she will be in 15-21 points, 5-7 rebounds, and 1-4 steals range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 25-36
Victoria Vivians(IND) Points: 15 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 01 Steals: 01 Victoria made some incredible pull-up jumpers in the last game and she can be a highly effective offensive option both in open-court and half-court scenarios. I believe she will be in 13-19 points range here. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 18-28
DeWanna Bonner(CON) Points: 18 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 04 Steals: 01 Bonner is an electric defender who can also be a strong shooter while possessing a versatile skillset. Forward Bonner can be in 15-21 points, 3-6 rebounds, and 1-2 steals range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 23-36
Emily Engstler(IND) Points: 08 Rebounds: 06 Assists: 01 Steals: 01 Rookie Engstler is an incredible defender and rebounder but her offense still needs plenty of work. I believe she will be in 8-14 points and 6-9 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 14-22
(Recommended) PG: K Mitchell(PP), D Robinson SG: N Hiedeman, D Henderson SF: A Thomas, V Vivians PF: D Bonner C: J Jones(SP)
(Alternate) PG: J Thomas, K Mitchell(PP), D Robinson SG: D Henderson SF: A Thomas PF: D Bonner C: B Jones, J Jones(SP)
Do you wanna watch Jonquel Jones take on the high-speed one-way train called Kelsey Mitchell? In a piece of great news, you can catch this game on the Facebook page of Indiana Fever and I highly recommend you do that. To learn the scores, stats, and news, go to the official website of the WNBA.