The Portland Fire and Seattle Storm meet Friday in WNBA action at the Climate Pledge Arena. Here’s a Storm vs Fire Prediction. This article will include a Storm vs Fire Pick.
Portland Fire Betting Preview
The Portland Fire needs a win after losing 16 of its last 24 games. The Fire have split their last 6 road games.
The Portland Fire is averaging 86.8 points on 45.4 percent shooting and allowing 91.6 points on 47 percent shooting. Carla Leite is averaging 15.5 points and 6.2 assists, while Bridget Carleton is averaging 14.7 points and 4.4 rebounds. Megan DiLeo is the third double-digit scorer, and Emily Engstler is grabbing 5.3 rebounds. The Portland Fire is shooting 35.3 percent from beyond the arc and 81.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Portland Fire is allowing 34.3 percent shooting from deep and is grabbing 29.9 rebounds per game.
Seattle Storm Betting Preview
The Seattle Storm need a win after losing 24 of their last 28 games. The Seattle Storm have lost 4 of their last 5 home games.
The Seattle Storm are averaging 83.4 points on 43.5 percent shooting and allowing 88.6 points on 43.6 percent shooting. Dominique Malonga is averaging 17.4 points and 8.7 rebounds, while Natisha Hiedeman is averaging 15.6 points and 2.7 rebounds. Flau’jae Johnson is the third double-digit scorer, and Awa Fam is grabbing 5.7 rebounds. The Seattle Storm are shooting 32.6 percent from beyond the arc and 79.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Seattle Storm are allowing 31.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Seattle Storm will win
- The Fire have lost five of their last six night games against Western Conference opponents.
- The favorites have won seven of the Fire’s last eight games.
- The Storm have covered the spread in nine of their last 11 home games.
Why the Portland Fire will win
- The Storm have lost each of their last eight home games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Fire have won three of their last four games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Storm have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 13 games as home favorites.
- The Fire have covered the spread in seven of their last eight night games against Western Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Fire’s last 10 road games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Storm’s last three night games at Climate Pledge Arena have gone OVER the total points line.
Seattle Storm Player Facts
- Natisha Hiedeman is one of only seven players in the league to have recorded 9+ assists without a turnover in a game this season.
- Jordan Horston ranks 10th amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (2.0) this season.
Portland Fire Player Facts
- Megan DiLeo is one of only four players to have made 8+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
- Nyadiew Puoch ranks T44th amongst qualified Forwards for points per game (4.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Seattle Storm rank 1st for opponent three-point percentage this season (31.8%).
- The Seattle Storm have scored less than 80 points in 16 games this season – most in the WNBA.
- The Portland Fire rank 14th for second chance points (326) this season.
- The Portland Fire rank 14th for second-chance points per game (9.9) this season.
Storm vs Fire Injury Report
Taina Mair is out for the Storm due to a coach’s decision. Flau’jae Johnson is out with an ankle injury.
Sania Feagin is out for the Fire with a knee injury. Carla Leite is questionable with knee soreness.
Storm vs Fire Prediction
The Fire are worth a look in the underdog role considering they’ve beaten the Storm three times already this season, which includes a win last week where they dropped 100 points on their head. However, it’s hard to back the Fire on the road where they have just 5 wins, when their top scorer, Leite, is banged up. I’ve been saying all year that the Storm aren’t as bad as their record. They compete, have talented young players, and have cashed tickets. Maybe a win over the Sky can be a small turning point for this group.
Five of the Storm’s 7 wins have come at home. The Storm also have a cleaner injury report than in past games. I’ll lay the bucket on the Storm as they win back-to-back games for the first time since June 27.