Las Vegas Aces vs. Dallas Wings Prediction, Preview and Odds - 7/11/21
A pair of Western Conference teams close out their first-half schedule on the WNBA hardwood down in the Lone Star State. The Las Vegas Aces are on the road as they travel to face the Dallas Wings Sunday afternoon. Las Vegas was beaten 77-67 at home by a surging Minnesota team Friday night in their last game. Dallas was dropped 85-79 on the road by Minnesota in their previous game Wednesday night. The Aces won the first meeting between the teams this season, taking an 85-78 victory at home on June 13. That extended Las Vegas’ win streak in the series to six games entering this contest.
Las Vegas Aces Trying to Finish First Half on Positive Note
Las Vegas won nine of 10 but enter this one losers of two straight as they were beaten at home by Minnesota Friday night. The Aces entered Saturday 14-6 on the season, leaving them second in the WNBA standings, one game behind league-leading Seattle for the top spot. Against Minnesota, Las Vegas never led, falling behind 10-2 just over two minutes into the contest. The Aces never made a serious charge the rest of the way as they trailed by 15 after the opening quarter, by 12 at the half and by 15 after three quarters en route to the defeat. Las Vegas shot just 35.8% from the field, including three of 15 from three-point range, to negate a 42-35 edge on the glass in the contest. Kelsey Plum led the Aces with 18 points in the contest.
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 fourth in the league in assists by handing out 20.8 dimes per contest. The Aces have been average on the defensive end of the floor as they are 5th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 81 points a game. A’ja Wilson leads the Aces with 19.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Liz Cambage (14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks), Jackie Young (12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds) and Kelsey Plum (13.4 points) are all solid secondary options on the offensive end. Coach Bill Laimbeer also can call on Chelsea Gray (11.8 points, 6.3 assists), Dearica Hamby (11.2 points, 6.9 boards), Riquna Williams (nine points), Ji-Su Park, Emma Cannon 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 46.5% from the field as a team this season. The Aces are 11th in the league in threes per game (5.1) and fourth in three-point shooting at 36.2% on the year. Las Vegas is currently sixth in free throw shooting at 82.1% on the season. Cambage (personal) missed Friday’s game and is out here.
Dallas Wings Hoping to Bounce Back at Home
Dallas lost their second straight and their third in the last four games as they were knocked off on the road by Minnesota Wednesday night. The Wings entered Saturday 9-11 on the season and held the final spot in the WNBA playoff picture by half a game over the Mystics. On Wednesday, Dallas trailed by as many as 10 in the opening quarter before cutting the deficit to five after one. The Wings outscored the Lynx 28-15 in the second quarter to lead by eight at the half and extended to an 11-point edge in the opening minute of the second half. Dallas saw Minnesota tie the game at 55 but regrouped to lead by five after three quarters. The Wings gave up a 10-2 run to start the fourth quarter to trail 70-67 with 6:03 to play and never got even again. Dallas shot 41.9% from the field, including nine of 28 from three-point range, and allowed Minnesota to shoot 50.8% in the contest. Allisha Gray led the Wings with 13 points in the loss.
The Wings come into this one third in the league in scoring with 85.5 points per game this season. Dallas is third in rebounding (36.7 boards per contest) but rank 9th in the league in assists with 18.2 per game. The Wings are struggling defensively, ranking 8th by allowing 83.1 points per contest. Arike Ogunbowale (19.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists) is one of five players scoring in double figures for the Wings this season. Allisha Gray (11.4 points), Marina Mabrey (14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists), Isabelle Harrison (10 points, 5.7 rebounds) and Kayla Thornton (8.5 points, 5.7 rebounds) are all capable scoring options as well. Charli Collier, Tyasha Harris, Chelsea Dungee, Awak Kuier, Moriah Jefferson, Satou Sabally (12.9 points, 6.1 boards), Dana Evans and Bella Alarie all can be looked to for minutes for coach Brian Agler. The Wings are sixth in the league in field goal percentage as they hit 43% as a team. Dallas is fourth in three-pointers per game (8.6) and stand second in the league in three-point shooting as they hit 36.4% from long range. The Wings are second in free throw shooting as they convert 84.3% of their chances at the stripe.
Pick: Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas has dropped two straight and they are without Cambage here, which is a blow to their attack. With that said, the Aces have plenty of weapons to work with on the offensive end of the floor, which is why they lead the league in scoring offense, rebounding and field goal percentage this season. Dallas has had their struggles on the defensive end of the floor and that doesn’t bode well when you’re facing a team like Las Vegas. The Wings have their full complement of players, which could help them hang around, but the depth that the Aces have when it comes to scoring options is too much for them to handle. Las Vegas gets the victory in this one.
Total: Over
We’re looking at two of the top three scoring offenses in the league on the floor in this contest. Las Vegas is an offensive force to be reckoned with and the only teams to really slow them down are the Sun (twice), the Lynx and the Sparks. All of those teams are good defensive teams, which is something that the Wings won’t be confused with by any stretch. Las Vegas has seen the over hit 13 of their 20 games on the season. Dallas has seen the under hit in 11 of their 20 games with one push on the books. The under hit in the first meeting this season but you have to think that the Aces are going to be ready to push the tempo and force Dallas to try and keep up. This one goes over the total.
