Defensive improvement has contributed to the Indiana Fever’s current stretch of success.
Aiming for a third straight win, the Fever look to continue that stinginess in Indianapolis on Wednesday night against the Connecticut Sun, one of WNBA’s lowest-scoring teams.
Indiana (16-10) averages a league-high 94.4 points, but ranks near the bottom defensively, giving up 89.7 per contest. However, amid a 6-2 stretch, the Fever have held six opponents to 89 or fewer points.
On Saturday, they outscored the visiting New York Liberty 30-12 during the third quarter, paving the way for a 108-88 victory.
“We know we can score, but for us to accomplish what we want to accomplish, we’ve got to get better on the defensive end,” Indiana coach Stephanie White said.
The Fever held Connecticut (7-19) to nine second-quarter points and 5-of-17 shooting from 3-point range during their 85-75 road win June 13.
Caitlin Clark had 25 points, just above her average of 20.7 per game. The Indiana superstar has been on a minutes restriction over the last four games while dealing with a lingering back issue. With one game left before the All-Star break, she could receive another night of rest.
Star teammate Kelsey Mitchell (23.3 points) looks to record at least 20 points in an 11th straight contest. After scoring 30 in Indiana’s 110-107 win over Seattle on Friday, Mitchell dropped 33 on 10-of-14 shooting against the Liberty.
“She’s just a ballplayer,” White said. “She just wants to play.”
Mitchell scored 19 last month against the Sun, who will try to snap a four-game series losing streak to the Fever.
Though Connecticut is next-to-last in the league standings, while scoring 79.7 points per game, the team is 5-4 since losing seven in a row from June 2-19.
“Be mentally ready,” Sun coach Rachid Meziane said. “We have to be ready to respond by showing character.”
The Sun’s attempt at a third straight victory ended with a 72-63 loss at Phoenix on Sunday. They shot 37.9% overall, finished 4 of 14 from 3-point range and committed 21 turnovers that led to 22 points for the Mercury.
Connecticut center Olivia Nelson-Ododa tallied 12 points and 12 rebounds Sunday. She has averaged 11.7 points in her last 10 games, and posted 12 with seven boards against Indiana in June.
–Field Level Media
