- Matchup: Portland Fire vs Minnesota Lynx
- Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
- Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- Broadcast: WNBA League Pass
- Betting Odds: Portland +11.5
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The Portland Fire (11-14) venture to the Target Center to face off against the Minnesota Lynx (19-6). The Lynx kick off this matchup as 11.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 171.5 points.
In their last game, the Portland Fire defeated the Washington Mystics 75-56. Portland ended the match with a shooting accuracy of 43.3% (29 of 67) and converted 10 of 36 attempts from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, they made 7 of 9 attempts, equating to a successful rate of 77.8%. On the boards, Portland secured 24 rebounds, with 4 on the offensive end. They also tallied 19 assists, forced 14 turnovers, and achieved 10 steals. Defensively, Portland held Washington to a shooting percentage of 29.7%, allowing 19 of 64 shots to go in. Washington, in return, dished out 11 assists and collected 31 rebounds (11 offensive) while blocking 4 shots. The Mystics made 16 of their 23 free throws, shooting 69.6%, and struggled from deep, making just 2 of 21 attempts.
Carla Leite was a standout player in this matchup, scoring 14 points on 5 of 12 shooting in 23 minutes, adding 1 rebound, and distributing 5 assists with a field goal percentage of 41.7%.
Entering this game, Portland holds a record of 11-14 this season. They average 84.6 points per game (10th in the league) with a shooting percentage of 44.4%. The Fire are hitting 34.2% from three-point range (240 of 701) and 81.7% from the free-throw line. The team collects an average of 29.5 rebounds per game and boasts 505 assists this season, ranking 4th in the league for assists. They average 14.8 turnovers and commit 22.7 fouls per game. Defensively, Portland forces 14.0 turnovers per game and fouls opponents 19.0 times on average. They allow 33.0% shooting from three-point range and currently rank 13th in the league for points allowed per game (89.8). The Fire surrender a shooting percentage of 46.1% (349 of 476) and allow an average of 34.0 rebounds per game, ranking 15th for assists relinquished with 576 so far this season.
In their last outing, the Minnesota Lynx secured a victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, winning 96-87. Minnesota collected 18 defensive rebounds alongside 7 offensive boards for a total of 25. They turned the ball over 11 times while recording 13 steals. The Sparks committed 17 fouls, leading Minnesota to the free-throw line for 24 attempts, of which they converted 20 (83.3%). From three-point range, Minnesota made 8 of 25 attempts (32.0%) and shot an impressive 50.0% overall from the field with 34 of 68 made shots. Defensively, Minnesota allowed the Sparks to shoot 47.7% (31 of 65) and 32.1% from three-point land (9 of 28). They finished the game with solid free-throw shooting at 84.2%, converting 16 of 19 attempts, while permitting 31 total rebounds to Los Angeles (5 offensive).
Kayla McBride was instrumental for the Lynx, making 8 of 16 shots for a shooting percentage of 50.0%, contributing 24 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in her 31 minutes on the court.
Minnesota boasts an impressive record of 19-6 this season. Offensively, they are shooting at a remarkable 48.1% (2nd in the league) and have scored a total of 2,270 points this season (averaging 90.8 per game). The Lynx grab 35.5 rebounds per contest and dish out 21.2 assists per game (3rd in the WNBA), while averaging 13.2 turnovers. Defensively, Minnesota ranks 2nd in the league for points allowed per game (81.9) and has forced 14.7 turnovers. They permit a shooting percentage of 41.6% from the field (1st in the league) and limit opponents to 31.9% from beyond the arc (219 of 687), while foes shoot 79.2% from the charity stripe. Minnesota allows 19.8 assists and collects 32.5 rebounds per game, ranking 8th and 5th, respectively.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s WNBA matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Back Minnesota (-11.5)
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