2024 WNBA Finals best bets: Picks for Fever, Lynx, Caitlin Clark

It seems rather obvious. 

The 29-6 New York Liberty and back-to-back champion Las Vegas Aces are the two favorites to win the WNBA Finals.

But are there other legitimate contenders lurking in the shadows?

Believe it or not, a few teams possess the ability to make a championship run.

Here are a few long shots we believe in enough to make our WNBA Finals futures portfolio, as well as a pick dark horse for Finals MVP.

2024 WNBA futures best bets

Indiana Fever (+1800, FanDuel)

Since returning from the extended All-Star break, which included the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Indiana Fever have been red-hot.

They have won eight of their past ten games overall while outscoring opponents by an average of 5.1 points.

Indiana has the highest offensive rating, the third-highest rebounding percentage and the highest effective field goal percentage in the W in that span.

Two players, in particular, have been the reason for the Fever’s surge: Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark.

Mitchell has posted 24.9 points per game on 50% shooting from the floor, 44% shooting from behind the arc and 91% from the free-throw line over her past 10 games. 

Few players in the league can come close to that high of scoring output with that level of efficiency for an extended period of time.

In addition to Mitchell, Clark has been phenomenal. As a matter of fact, Clark has been a top-five player in the league over the past month of the season. 

She has averaged 24.7 points, 9.3 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game on a 46/39/94 shooting split.

Defense remains an issue for the Fever, but if they can improve slightly on that end of the floor while maintaining their elite efficiency on offense, teams will not want to see them in the playoffs.

Minnesota Lynx (+450, DraftKings)

Speaking of hot teams, no team is hotter than the Minnesota Lynx. 

Minnesota has a 10-1 record in its past 11 games, while beating opponents by an average score of 7.8 points per game.

The Lynx have the second-highest net rating (+10.0) and effective field goal percentage (57.5%), too.

Minnesota’s offense has been playing at an unbelievably high level.

If it can combine that with its stout and pesky defense that has held opponents to the lowest field goal percentage (41.3%) and 3-point percentage (30.1%) this season, look out.

Frankly, if Minnesota continues performing this well on the offensive end of the floor, it has the ability to win the Finals.

Caitlin Clark to win WNBA Finals MVP (+2300, FanDuel)

If you are a believer in the Indiana Fever surprisingly reaching the WNBA Finals despite likely entering the postseason as a No. 6 seed, then you might as well bet on “ Clark To Win WNBA Finals MVP” at +2300 on FanDuel.

The fact that there is a +500 gap between the Fever winning the WNBA Finals and Clark winning Finals MVP makes no sense.

Clark is the engine of this Fever team.

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One year ago, the Fever finished with a 13-27 record, which placed them 10th in the W. 

However, Clark has helped them reach the playoffs and secure at least six more wins (four games left to play) this season than last.

Clark leads the league in assists and leads her team in points as a rookie; she also chips in just shy of six rebounds per game, which ranks third on the team.

Even with a mediocre series, Clark’s offensive usage and output are far higher than the next-closest player, allowing her to put up big numbers even during “off” shooting nights.