Published on: May 31, 2022 7:17 pm IST|Updated on: May 31, 2022 7:11 pm IST
IND vs WAS Dream11: The WNBA’s first half has been already competitive and we have seen some brilliant battles already. Who has fallen? Last season Finals Mercury are struggling, Lynx are out of the loop. Who has kept it up? Aces, Sky, and Sun have begun from where they left last season. Then who has improved? In this game, an improved team in Washinton Mystics will clash against still-erratic Indiana Fever.
The Mystics have won six of their nine games but lost their last game against the Sun 71:79. In that game, Elena Della-Donne and Mystics offense collapsed for most parts. On the other hand, the Fever has lost seven of their ten games. In the last game, the Fever did a great job of beating the Sparks 101:96 as Kelsey Mitchell dropped 22 points. So, how can the Fever finally get a string of wins against a formidable opponent?
Host: Indiana Fever Visitors: Washington Mystics Match Timing: 1 June, @ 04:30 AM (+05:30 UTC) Venue: Indiana Farmers Colliseum
Mystics’ defense has been great, Fever still figuring it out
Mystics have done a great job on the defensive end and that has been the major improvement this season. However, despite being this deep into the early parts of the season, they are yet to identify a consistent scorer apart from Elena Delle Donne. Shakira Austin, the rookie Center has had her moments but consistency has been a big issue. Atkins and Cloud also need to get more consistent as scoring options. How can Mystics figure out a rotation that can produce scoring consistency? Will a Cloud-Atkins-Burke-Williams-Austin combination work when Elena is rested?
Kelsey Mitchell has been the backbone of the Fever’s offense again and when she is off, they seem to have no chance of winning the game. The biggest ray of hope has been NaLyssa Smith who provides elite two-way production and is improving at a rapid rate. Victoria Vivians has been impressive as a scorer when starting whereas rookie Queen Egbo has been a solid inside player, however, it has been rookie Emily Engstler who has been also improving at a regular rate too. Danielle Robinson and Destanni Henderson can both be effective.
Performance Predictions
Highest scorer: Kelsey Mitchell: 24 Highest rebounder: Emily Engstler: 10 Top assists maker: Natasha Cloud: 8 Score Prediction: Mystics
Indiana Fever vs Washington Mystics NBA Live, Team News and Lineups
Washington Mystics News
Mystics Expected Starting Five Slashing Wing: SF: Myisha Hines-Allen Post-Forward: PF: Elena Della-Donne Inside Presence: C: Shakira Austin High-Scoring Guard: SG: Ariel Atkins Ball-Handler: PG: Natasha Cloud
BENCH: Tianna Hawkins, Rui Machida, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Kennedy Burke, Elizabeth Williams
Indiana Fever Team News
Fever Expected Starting Five Two-Way Forward: PF: NaLyssa Smith Inside Presence: C: Queen Egbo Slashing Guard: SG: Victoria Vivians Driving Guard: SG: Danielle Robinson Primary Ball-Handler: SG: Kelsey Mitchell
BENCH: Alanna Smith, Emily Engstler, Destanni Henderson, Lexie Hull, Alaina Coates, Tiffany Mitchell.
Kelsey Mitchell(IND) Points: 22 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 02 Steals: 02 Leading scorer for Fever knows how to score in more ways you can count of the finger and she is an incredible performer. I expect a 18-24 points and 3-5 assists range. She can be selected as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 26-35
Elena Delle-Donne(WAS) Points: 15 Rebounds: 06 Assists: 00 Blocks: 03 Steals: 01 Elena has been missing some games due to injury management and when she plays, she is a huge factor. I believe she will be in 16-24 points, 5-9 rebounds, and 1-3 blocks range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 24-34
NaLyssa Smith(IND) Points: 17 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 01 Blocks: 01 Steals: 01 NaLyssa made six of her 13 shots and she is an incredible rebounder and defender. I believe she will be in 14-21 points, 6-9 rebounds, and 1-3 blocks range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 22-34
Natasha Cloud(WAS) Points: 05 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 06 Steals: 02 Natasha’s scoring has been inefficient but she is an incredible playmaker while being a strong defender. I expect her to be in 9-14 points, 4-7 assists, and 3-6 rebounds range.. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 19-29
Emily Engstler(IND) Points: 13 Rebounds: 09 Assists: 00 Blocks: 04 Steals: 01 Emily made six of her eleven shots and she has been a huge rebounder as well as a defender, showcasing impressive repertoire. I expect a 12-16 points, 8-12 rebounds, and 1-4 blocks range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 19-31
Ariel Atkins(WAS) Points: 13 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 02 Steals: 02 Atkins is an incredible scorer and she has been giving the Mystics quality minutes for a decent chunk of time. She can be in 14-18 points and 4-7 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-34
(Recommended) PG: D Robinson SG: A Atkins SF: V Vivians PF: E Delle-Donne(PP), T Hawkins, N Smith(SP) C: S Austin, M Hines-Allen
(Recommended) PG: D Robinson, K Mitchell(SP) SG: D Henderson SF: S Walker-Kimbrough, V Vivians PF: N Smith(PP) C: S Austin, M Hines-Allen
Will it not be fun to watch Elena Delle Donne go up against Kelsey Mitchell? You can watch this game on the WNBA League Pass where all the WNBA action can be seen. To know the scores, news, and stats, visit the official website of the WNBA.