Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever are undervalued against the slumping Portland Fire on ‘Sophie Night’

Dan Zaksheske and Jason Hammer are BACK on this weeks edition of Shot Clock Violation debating the hottest topics in sports in just 30 seconds, only on Don't @ Me w/ Dan Dakich

While my colleagues will be locked into what’s going on outside the arena, I’ll be sweating my betting action in the Indiana Fever (18-10) at Portland Fire (11-17) Friday at the Moda Center at 10:00 p.m. ET.

Reportedly, there will be "protect women in sports" activists, and probably LGBTQ+ activists, rallying in support, or opposition, of Indiana backup SG Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments like "young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men".

SHOULD NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER STEP IN OVER THE WNBA'S HANDLING OF THE SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SITUATION?

Indiana Fever superstars Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark are arguably the two most popular players in the WNBA. (NBAE via Getty Images)

Again, I’m not here to discuss this hot-button issue. Frankly, I’m motivated by self-interest, which includes getting page views for this article by name-dropping Caitlin Clark and mentioning the drama, and more importantly, cashing my Fever-Fire bet.

That said, Indiana is an expensive -7.5 (-120) favorite and -325 on the moneyline at DraftKings, and the total for this game is 187.5. Without further ado, let’s discuss the stuff that really matters. At least to me.

These teams split the first two meetings this season with the home team winning and covering both. The Fever have won eight of their last 10 games, including four straight. Portland, on the other hand, is just 3-7 over its past 10 games and has lost three in a row.

Indiana Fever All-Star Caitlin Clark shoots over Portland Fire SG Sarah Ashlee Barker and C Luisa Geiselsoder at Moda