The Money Line: WNBA odds, predictions for Friday, August 18

Indiana Fever (+15.5, -110)
Minnesota Lynx (-15.5, -110)
Total: 159

Assuming you’re still reading and haven’t closed out the page after that horrifically corny slide to get to this page, you really have to admire what Minnesota has become. Losers of two straight, some people are actually concerned about them and have now dubbed the Sparks as the team to beat. L.A. is great, no doubt, but the Lynx are still the best team this year for my money. Point guard and emotional leader Lindsay Whalen is still working her way back from surgery on her hand, and the loss to Seattle ended with some bad luck. Sylvia Fowles is still the MVP as far as I’m concerned, and the team is still owns the best defensive rating and second highest rebounding percentage in the league.

Indiana put up a fight for a while in trying to stay in the playoff race, but several losses, including the loss of Tiffany Mitchell for the season, have officially ended all hopes for this season. Indiana has lost two in a row and seven of their last eight, but that whole dance battle with Washington sure was fun. The Fever rank in the bottom third in both offensive and defensive rating, rebounding percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio; not good. The 2018 draft is loaded, and Indiana should be able to get better through it.

15.5 is a huge spread, and I have no doubt Indiana will continue playing hard, but I’m still taking the Lynx and the over.