Minnesota Lynx vs. Las Vegas Aces Prediction, Preview and Odds - 7/9/21
It’s a Western Conference matchup on the WNBA hardwood in the Silver State. The Minnesota Lynx are on the road as they make the trip to face the Las Vegas Aces Friday night. Minnesota comes in off an 85-79 home victory over Dallas Wednesday night in their most recent contest. Las Vegas was upended 99-90 in overtime at home by Phoenix in their most recent game Wednesday night. In the first meeting this season, it was the Lynx earning a 90-89 overtime victory at home on June 25. As a result, the teams have split the last 10 meetings entering this contest. Will the Aces even things up between the teams with a win here?
Minnesota Lynx Seeking Sixth Straight Win
Minnesota earned the home win over Dallas to run their win streak to five games by prevailing Wednesday night. The Lynx improved to 10-7 on the year and entered Thursday holding the fourth seed in the WNBA playoff picture, four games behind the Storm for the top spot. On Wednesday night, Minnesota led by as many as 10 in the first quarter and by five after the opening stanza only to get outscored 28-15 in the second quarter to trail by eight at the half. The Lynx trailed by 11 in the opening minute of the second half before going on a 17-6 run to tie the game at 55 with 4:07 to play in the third quarter. Minnesota was outscored 10-5 the rest of the quarter to trail by five after three quarters before opening the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run to take a 70-67 edge with 6:03 to play. The Lynx didn’t let the Wings closer than one after that as they earned the win. Minnesota shot 50.8% from the field, including seven of 20 from three-point range, and held Dallas to 41.9% in the game. Kayla McBride led the Lynx with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in the win.
On the season, the Lynx are 5th in the league in scoring offense with an average of 83.5 points per game. Minnesota is 7th in rebounding as they collect 35.2 boards a night while the team is fourth in assists by dishing 20.6 dimes a night. The Lynx are seventh in the league in scoring defense as they give up an average of 81.9 points per contest this season. Sylvia Fowles is second on the team with 16.4 points plus 10.1 rebounds per contest. Kayla McBride (14.6 points), Crystal Dangerfield (8.9 points, 3.6 assists) and Aerial Powers (10 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists) are solid secondary scoring options. Damiris Dantas, Napheesa Collier (17.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists), Jessica Shepard, Layshia Clarendon (9.8 points, 5.1 assists), Bridget Carleton, Rachael Banham, Natalie Achonwa and Linnae Harper are looked at to be contributors for coach Cheryl Reeve. Minnesota stands third in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 45.6% from the field as a team this year. The Lynx are 8th in the league in three-pointers per game (seven) and 8th in three-point shooting as they hit 33.6% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Minnesota is 5th in the league in free throw shooting as they hit 82.1% of their attempts at the charity stripe. Powers is out eight to 10 weeks after undergoing thumb surgery June 18 for a torn UCL. Achonwa (knee) and Rennia Davis (foot) are out indefinitely at this point in time.
Las Vegas Aces Looking to Avenge Previous Defeat
Las Vegas had won four straight and nine of their previous 10 games before getting derailed in overtime by Phoenix at home Wednesday night. The Aces entered Thursday 14-5 on the year, leaving them one game behind the Storm for the top spot in the WNBA playoff picture. On Wednesday night, Las Vegas trailed by four after the opening quarter, by seven at the half and by 11 in the third quarter. The Aces ripped off an 18-2 run in the third quarter to lead by five after three quarters and they were up seven early in the fourth quarter before seeing the Mercury rally to force overtime. In the extra session, Las Vegas gave up the first nine points and couldn’t get closer than six the rest of the way. The Aces shot 43.9% from the field, including three of 13 from three-point range, and clanked nine of their 24 free throw attempts. A’ja Wilson led Las Vegas with 25 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the loss.
The Aces come into this contest at the top of the pack in scoring offense, ranking first with 91.7 points per game. Las Vegas is 1st in the league in rebounding (39 boards a game) and stand second in the league in assists by handing out 21.1 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 81.2 points a game. A’ja Wilson leads the Aces with 19.6 points, nine rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Liz Cambage (14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks), Jackie Young (12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds) and Kelsey Plum (13 points) are all solid secondary options on the offensive end. Coach Bill Laimbeer also can call on Chelsea Gray (12.1 points, 6.4 assists), Dearica Hamby (11.1 points, 6.7 boards), Riquna Williams (8.9 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 47% from the field as a team this season. The Aces are 11th in the league in threes per game (5.2) and second in three-point shooting at 37.1% on the year. Las Vegas is currently sixth in free throw shooting at 82% on the season.
Pick: Las Vegas Aces
While the Lynx is hot right now with five straight wins, you know Las Vegas is going to be motivated after falling to Phoenix Wednesday night. The Aces’ two losses in their last 11 games came in overtime and they are very good at home this season. Even with the defeat Wednesday, Las Vegas is 8-2 at home while outscoring the opposition by 15.3 points per game. The Lynx beat the Aces in overtime at home in their first meeting but that was in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. It’s proven to a challenge to down Las Vegas on the road and there is no shortage of weapons for Laimbeer to utilize. Give Las Vegas the upper hand in this contest.
Total: Over
Minnesota has seen the over hit in 10 of their 17 games this year, including four of their previous six games entering this one. The Lynx fell 4.5 points short of the total in their win over Dallas Wednesday night but facing Las Vegas is an invitation to a track meet. Las Vegas has seen the over hit in 13 of their 19 games on the year, including seven of their last eight games entering this contest. In the first meeting between the teams this season, we saw the teams combine for 179 points against a 171.5-point total. That marked the fourth straight matchup between the teams that went over the total. Look for this contest to end up going over the mark as well.
