Tom Oldfield
• Betting Analyst
22+ years betting experience
Updated:
May 23, 2026 , 12:37 PM ET
• 4 min read
The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire look right at home in the WNBA, but Brittney Sykes can be tonight’s difference-maker for Sandy Brondello’s squad.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Toronto Tempo guard Brittney Sykes (20).
It’s an expansion franchise derby at Coca-Cola Coliseum tonight as the Toronto Tempo shoot for bragging rights over the Portland Fire.
Both teams have made solid starts while building chemistry on the fly, but my Fire vs. Tempo predictions lean toward Toronto, with Brittney Sykes delivering another standout performance.
Take a closer look at this battle with my free WNBA picks and betting angles for Saturday, May 23.
Fire vs Tempo prediction
Fire vs Tempo best bet: Brittney Sykes Over 19.5 points (-120)
The Toronto Tempo knew what they were getting when they signed Brittney Sykes this offseason, and her all-action style has shown up all over the box score.
Tonight, I’m dialed in on her scoring, as Sykes leads the Tempo with 22.3 points per game, and she’s breezed past this O/U number in three of her last four contests as an ideal running mate for Marina Mabrey.
Sykes is still finding a rhythm from beyond the arc, but there will be opportunities to get into the paint against a Portland Fire team that’s giving up 93.2 ppg, second-most in the WNBA.
COVERS INTEL: Brittney Sykes has attempted 19+ shots in three of her past four outings, and you can also pencil her in for trips to the charity stripe, having taken 8+ free throws in five of her six games for the Tempo.
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Fire vs Tempo same-game parlay
On a typical night, Sykes is a lock for 30+ minutes, and this SGP is a volume play.
She’ll never be a league-leader from 3-point range, but Sykes has knocked down 2+ triples in three of her last four games, and the Tempo routinely turn to her as a bailout option late in the shot clock. A big scoring effort should mean buckets from all three levels.
I’m also taking the hosts’ moneyline and throwing out Toronto’s rough loss in Minnesota on Thursday. The Tempo’s earlier wins over the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury carry more weight, and there were also some concerning signs in the Fire’s loss to Indiana.
Fire vs Tempo SGP
Brittney Sykes Over 19.5 points
Brittney Sykes Over 1.5 threes
Tempo moneyline
Fire vs Tempo first basket scorer: Marina Mabrey (+600)
Mabrey was kept in check in the disappointing loss to the Lynx earlier this week, but she was the Tempo’s brightest light in their opening two home games, where she attempted a combined 38 shots. That’s where I’m looking for the first basket best bet, with Mabrey feeding off the Coca Cola Coliseum crowd.
Her impact as a steadying force will be even more important for Toronto with point guard Julie Allemand sidelined, and I expect Sandy Brondello to put the ball in Mabrey’s hands to initiate early offense, putting the Fire under pressure on the road.
Tom Oldfield’s 2026 Transparency Record
Best bet: 5-3, +1.70 units
SGP: 2-6, +1.75 units
First basket: 0-8, -8.0 units
Fire vs Tempo odds
Spread: Fire +4.5 (-110) | Tempo -4.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Fire +170 | Tempo -205
Over/Under: Over 174 (-110) | Under 174 (-110)
Fire vs Tempo trend
Toronto is 4-2 ATS through its first six games. Find more WNBA betting trends.
How to watch Fire vs Tempo
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Tip-off
6:00 p.m. ET
TV
Rose City SportsNet, TSN
Fire vs Tempo latest injuries
Fire: Teja Oblak G (Questionable), Nyadiew Puoch F (Questionable).
Tempo: No key injuries to report.
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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