Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut Sun Prediction, Preview and Odds - 8/24/21
It’s an interconference battle of teams tied for the top spot in the WNBA playoff picture on the hardwood in the Nutmeg State. The Las Vegas Aces are on the road as they travel to face the Connecticut Sun Tuesday night. Las Vegas comes in off a 93-83 home victory over Washington in their previous contest last Tuesday in their most recent game, capping a two-game sweep. Connecticut knocked off Minnesota 82-71 at home in their most recent contest Thursday to sweep a two-game series. The Sun have won both meetings this season, taking a 72-65 road win on May 25 and following that up with a 74-67 home win in the most recent matchup on June 1.
Las Vegas Aces Try to Hold Onto Top Spot in WNBA Playoff Picture
Las Vegas won their third straight game as they swept a two-game home series from the Mystics with a win last Tuesday. The Aces enter this one tied with the Sun for the top spot in the WNBA playoff picture, though they sit second due to Connecticut leading the head-to-head series. Against Washington, Las Vegas led by two after the opening quarter, trailed by eight at the half and still was down by three with 1:41 to play in the third quarter before reeling off an 11-1 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to lead 74-67 with 9:02 to play. The Aces didn’t let the Mystics closer than five the rest of the way. Las Vegas shot a blistering 56.7% from the field, including six of 11 from three-point range, and won the rebounding battle 37-29. Kelsey Plum led the Aces with 24 points off the bench in the victory.
The Aces come into this contest at the top of the pack in scoring offense, ranking first with 90.5 points per game. Las Vegas is 1st in the league in rebounding (39.2 boards a game) and stand third in the league in assists by handing out 20.9 dimes per contest. The Aces have been average on the defensive end of the floor as they are 7th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 81.1 points a game. A’ja Wilson leads the Aces with 19.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Liz Cambage (14.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks), Jackie Young (12.2 points, 3.7 rebounds) and Kelsey Plum (13.8 points) are all solid secondary options on the offensive end. Coach Bill Laimbeer also can call on Chelsea Gray (11.4 points, 6.3 assists), Dearica Hamby (11.3 points, seven boards), Riquna Williams (nine points), Ji-Su Park, Kiah Stokes and Destiny Slocum to contribute on both ends of the floor. Las Vegas is first in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 47.1% from the field as a team this season. The Aces are 11th in the league in threes per game (five) and fourth in three-point shooting at 36.7% on the year. Las Vegas is currently sixth in free throw shooting at 81.6% on the season. Park (hip) is questionable for this contest.
Connecticut Sun Looking to Burn Aces for Third Time This Season
Connecticut ran their win streak to five in regular season action as they swept a two-game series from the Lynx at home. The Sun ran their record to 17-6 on the year and are tied with the Aces for the top spot in the playoff picture though they own the top seed thanks to their 2-0 series edge in head-to-head meetings. Against Minnesota, Connecticut relied on their tough defense and timely scoring to get the win. The Sun never trailed in the contest, leading by three after the opening quarter and by six at the half before outscoring Minnesota 20-12 in the third quarter to extend the edge to 14 points. Connecticut shot 49.1% from the field, including five of 14 from three-point range, and controlled the glass by a 31-22 margin. DeWanna Bonner poured in 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Sun in the win.
The Sun is 10th in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 79.2 points per game so far this season. Connecticut is fourth in the league in rebounding (36.5 boards a night) while they stand 8th by dishing out 18 assists a game on the year. The Sun have been good defensively as they are first in scoring defense by allowing an average of 71.9 points per game. DeWanna Bonner is second on the Sun with 16.4 points, seven rebounds and 3.4 assists a game. Jonquel Jones (team-high 20.6 points, 11.2 rebounds), Natisha Hiedeman (7.8 points) and Brionna Jones (14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds) each are valuable contributors. Jasmine Thomas (11.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, four assists), Briann January, Beatrice Mompreier, Stephanie Jones, DiJonai Carrington and Kaila Charles are important pieces for coach Curt Miller. Connecticut is fourth in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 44.2% as a team. The Sun are fifth in three-pointers per game (7.1) and fifth in three-point percentage (35.9%) on the year. Connecticut has been mediocre at the charity stripe as they convert on 80.9% of their attempts, which is 7th in the league. Alyssa Thomas is still out as she recovers from offseason surgery for a torn Achilles.
Pick: Connecticut Sun
The Sun have beaten the Aces twice this season as their defense has done the job slowing down the Aces and their league-leading offensive attack. Las Vegas has to find a way to crack that defensive shell and it’s something that only works if you can attack from the perimeter and inside. That’s not the Aces’ game: they’d rather beat you senseless inside with Wilson and Cambage, racking up tons of points in the paint. Connecticut is excellent on the defensive end of the floor and they are 10-1 at home this season. The Sky have beaten the Aces at home and on the road this year. Look for this one to end up going to the hosts as they keep rolling along.
Total: Under
When Las Vegas plays, high point totals tend to follow. Seven of the last 10 games for the Aces have wound up over the mark entering this contest. Las Vegas has seen the over hit in 15 of their 23 contests this season. On the other side of that equation, Connecticut has seen the under hit in 15 of their 23 games on the season and had six straight unders on the board before Thursday’s game with the Lynx ended up two points over the mark. Six of the last seven meetings between the teams have ended up short of the mark, including each of the last three. Given the way the Sun plays defense and how they have held the Aces in check, this one falls short of the mark as well.