Fire vs. Lynx prediction: Why Minnesota is favored to win Saturday's WNBA matchup [7/18/2026]
Get Portland Fire vs Minnesota Lynx predictions for WNBA Saturday.
WNBA action continues on Saturday at 8:00 PM ET as the Portland Fire square off with the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' proven WNBA model predicts the Lynx as the most likely winner of the Fire vs. Lynx game.
The Lynx, who have the likes of Natasha Howard, Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams, will face off against the Fire, featuring Carla Leite, Sarah Barker and Bridget Carleton.
This article offers further insights into Saturday's matchup, including best bets and player prop picks.
Fire vs. Lynx prediction: Who will win and cover?
Our famous predictive model currently gives the Lynx an 86.5% chance of defeating the Fire.
According to our model, the Fire (+13.5) have a 57.3% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 174.5 points has a 62.5% chance of staying under,.
Fire vs. Lynx odds
We have sourced the best WNBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Fire | Lynx |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +13.5 (-107) | -13.5 (-105) |
| Moneyline | +590 | -614 |
| Total | o174.5 (-111) | u174.5 (+102) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Fire vs. Lynx picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets in this matchup. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Fire +13.5 | -107 |
| Moneyline | Lynx | -614 |
| Total | Under 174.5 | +102 |
According to our WNBA best bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 174.5 total points.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Fire vs. Lynx player props
WNBA prop bets are a great way to wager on Saturday's Fire vs. Lynx game without necessarily betting on the outcome. We use the best information available to project how each team's leading players will perform at Target Center.
Carla Leite is expected to lead the Fire with 13 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, while Natasha Howard is projected to have 16 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists for the Lynx.
Looking at the opening tip, the numbers point to Olivia Miles striking first with a 13.2% probability.
Check out our WNBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and a deeper look at today's WNBA first basket picks.
Fire prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Fire are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carla Leite | 13 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 26 |
| Sarah Barker | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 23 |
| B. Carleton | 9 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 21 |
| Emily Engstler | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 25 |
| Teja Oblak | 8 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 21 |
Lynx prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Lynx:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natasha Howard | 16 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 36 |
| Kayla McBride | 16 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 29 |
| C. Williams | 14 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 31 |
| Olivia Miles | 12 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 27 |
| Nia Coffey | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 26 |
Fire vs. Lynx game-day updates and essential details
Saturday's action between the Lynx and Fire at Target Center is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: Portland Fire vs. Minnesota Lynx
- Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: Target Center
Conclusion
We predict the Lynx, with an 86.5% win probability, will likely beat the Fire in Saturday's WNBA matchup.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
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Mac Douglass specializes in NFL previews for the NFC South and NFC East, MLB best bets, Formula 1 race previews, and professional tennis insights. Combining predictive simulations and data-driven sports analysis, Mac provides in-depth content to elevate the betting experience for sports fans.
