Expansion life has hit both the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire like a brick wall. The two first-year franchises meet up for the second time this season on Thursday in Portland at 10 p.m. ET.
The Tempo started the season 7-5 but have lost 15 of 18, including the last seven. Those losses have come by an average of 18.4 points. The drought continued with a 92-81 setback at Golden State on Sunday, as Toronto lost its second straight on this five-game road trip.
Portland was 6-4, but the Fire have lost 15 of 20, including their last five contests. They have dropped four straight at the Moda Center, including a 106-101 defeat to Los Angeles on Sunday.
Portland took the inaugural matchup between these teams in Toronto in May, 99-80.
Toronto Tempo vs. Portland Fire WNBA Odds and Betting Trends
The Fire are -2.5 favourites at home on the WNBA odds, with a -130 moneyline. On the other side, Toronto’s moneyline is at +110.
The Tempo are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10. They have lost four straight and seven of eight on the road. Toronto has not won away from home in nearly seven weeks.
Portland has not won at home since June 17, but the Fire are 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 games.
Thursday’s total is listed at 187.5 points, a number the teams cleared in May. Both squads have played to the over seven times in their past 10 games.
Toronto Tempo
Marina Mabrey, the Tempo’s leading scorer and sixth-best in the WNBA at 20.6 points per game, had 12 points and six assists against the Valkyries after missing one game with a neck injury.
Aneesah Morrow also debuted for Toronto against Golden State after coming over in a trade with Connecticut. The second-year player is averaging 11.4 points and 8.7 rebounds. She had eight points and five boards in 16 minutes off the bench Sunday.
Kiki Rice had just two points in 23 minutes. The rookie guard is averaging just seven points in four games since returning after being out for more than a month.
Nyara Sabally has also missed several games this season. She is back in the lineup and led Toronto with 21 points while grabbing six rebounds against Golden State.
Portland Fire
Bridget Carleton is in the midst of a career year with Portland. The eighth-year forward emerged as a vital contributor with Minnesota the past two seasons, starting 80 games, but she is breaking out with the Fire.
Carleton is averaging a career-best 14.4 points and 4.1 rebounds, and she is tied for third in the WNBA with 2.9 three-pointers per game. She tied a career-high with seven treys and scored a team-high 24 points while grabbing 11 rebounds against the Sparks.
Carla Leite, Portland’s leading scorer, had 21 points and eight assists, while Megan DiLeo added 19 points and eight rebounds.
Portland is benefitting from more contributions offensively but has regressed heavily on defence. The team has allowed 98 points or more in each of their five losses during this current losing streak.
WNBA Prediction: Who will win Tempo vs. Fire?
Portland is now allowing 92.1 points per game, third-worst in the league. Toronto is worse, allowing 93.6 points per game.
So, take the over, and take the Fire to end their winless streak at home with a 98-95 victory.
