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The Indiana Fever head into the second game of a back-to-back set Wednesday night against the defending champions New York Liberty without their best player, as Caitlin Clark is out due to a groin injury she suffered in Tuesday's win over the Connecticut Sun. Even though Clark has struggled with shooting efficiency this season, she's one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league and provides an important boost for Indiana. The Fever have been able to pull off some big wins without Clark, including a victory in the Commissioner's Cup final, but they are massive 10-point underdogs in Wednesday's clash on CBS Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. ET.

If you're interested in WNBA betting or WNBA player props, make sure to check out what WNBA experts Calvin Wetzel and Aaron Barzilai have to say about Wednesday's Fever vs. Liberty matchup before making your bets.

Barzilai is a Ph.D. from Stanford who served as Director of Basketball Analytics for the Philadelphia 76ers. Five years ago, he founded HerHoopStats.com -- a groundbreaking website that unlocks insights about the women's game. Wetzel, the site's lead betting writer, incorporates his mathematical background and strong knowledge of women's hoops to turn the site's prediction model into picks. Wetzel and Barzilai went 202-111-2 (+57.9 units) during the 2024 WNBA season and posted a 147-88-1 (+47.1 units) during the 2024-25 NCAA season. In the 2023 WNBA season, they finished 238-185-1 (+29.5 units).

Here are Barzilai and Wetzel's top Fever-Liberty picks for Wednesday, July 16:

  • Fever +10 (-110)
  • Over 162.5 (-110)

Fever +10

Clark reaggravated her groin injury late in Tuesday's game against the Sun, and she's been ruled out for this contest. It doesn't make sense for Indiana to push it given the back-to-back situation and the upcoming All-Star break.

This line is treating Clark as worth at least two full possessions to the spread, if not a little more. At her best, she's as dynamic as they come, but even then she's probably not quite worth that much. This season, she's been worth significantly less as she continues to struggle with shooting woes. Buy low on the Fever as the sportsbooks overreact to Clark's absence.

Fever-Liberty Over 162.5

While Clark is undoubtedly worth much more to the total than to the spread, this is another line that has moved too far in reaction to her absence. New York's main struggle without Jonquel Jones has been its defense, as Jones' rim protection and rebounding on that end is such a key for them.

The Liberty are also the fastest team in the league in terms of pace, and the Fever won't mind playing that style of a game with or without Clark on the floor. We're getting a good number because of Clark's injury, so take advantage and ride the Over in this game.