Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces Preview, Prediction and Odds - 7/7/21
It’s an Western Conference matchup on the WNBA hardwood in the Silver State. The Phoenix Mercury are on the road as they make the trip to face the Las Vegas Aces Wednesday night. Phoenix was clobbered 99-68 at home by Minnesota Saturday as they were swept in a two-game series. Las Vegas trounced Atlanta 118-95 at home Sunday in their most recent contest. In the first meeting between the teams this season, it was the Aces taking an 85-79 victory on the road back on May 26. These teams have split the last eight meetings entering this contest. Will the Mercury find a way to get on track or will the Aces stay white-hot?
Phoenix Mercury Trying to Bounce Back
Phoenix lost their second straight and their sixth in the last eight games as they were drubbed soundly at home by Minnesota in their most recent contest. The Mercury fell to 7-9 on the season and entered Tuesday holding the final playoff spot in the WNBA, half a game ahead of ninth-place Washington. Phoenix led by five early in the game against Minnesota before giving up a 10-0 run to trail 14-9. The Mercury never got closer than two after that and were blown out 57-33 in the middle two quarters, turning the game into a rout. Phoenix shot 32.8% from the floor, including 10 of 26 from three-point range, and allowed Minnesota to shoot 55.1% in the contest while losing the rebounding battle 41-26. Skylar Diggins-Smith led the Mercury with 12 points in the loss.
The Mercury are 10th in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 78.6 points per game. Phoenix is seventh in rebounding (35.2 rebounds) per contest and stand ninth in the league by handing out 18.1 assists a night. The Mercury are sixth in the league in scoring defense as they give up an average of 81.3 points per game. Skylar Diggins-Smith is second on the Mercury in scoring with 18.3 points plus 5.1 assists a night. Brittney Griner (19.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks), Diana Taurasi (15.6 points, four assists) and Brianna Turner (7.5 points, 8.6 rebounds) are solid scoring options. Kia Nurse (9.1 points), Kia Vaughn, Megan Walker, Sophie Cunningham, Shey Peddy and Alanna Smith are other role players for coach Sandy Brondello. Phoenix is ninth in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 42.6% as a team from the floor. The Mercury is 10th in three-pointers per game (6.5 per game) and 11th in three-point shooting (30.5%) this season. Phoenix is 9th in the WNBA in free throw shooting as they cash in 78.8% of their chances on the year.
Las Vegas Aces Seek to Keep Rolling
Las Vegas pasted Atlanta at home for their fourth straight win and their ninth in the last 10 games. The Aces improved to 14-4 on the year and are tied with Seattle for the top record in the WNBA though Las Vegas has the top seed due to an edge in head-to-head victories. On Sunday, Las Vegas trailed by two after the opening quarter and led by three at the half before breaking out in the second half. The Aces opened the second half with a 14-5 run and never looked back as they buried the Dream en route to setting a franchise record for points. Las Vegas shot a blistering 59.7% from the field, including 11 of 17 from three-point range, and dominated the boards by a 43-28 margin. Kelsey Plum led the Aces with 23 points plus eight assists in the victory.
The Aces come into this contest at the top of the pack in scoring offense, ranking first with 91.8 points per game. Las Vegas is 1st in the league in rebounding (38.8 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 4th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 80.2 points a game. A’ja Wilson leads the Aces with 19.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Liz Cambage (14.6 points, nine rebounds, 1.8 blocks), Jackie Young (12.8 points, 3.9 rebounds) and Kelsey Plum (13.3 points) are all solid secondary options on the offensive end. Coach Bill Laimbeer also can call on Chelsea Gray (11.7 points, 6.4 assists), Dearica Hamby (11.4 points, 6.5 boards), Riquna Williams (9.3 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 47.2% from the field as a team this season. The Aces are 11th in the league in threes per game (5.3) and second in three-point shooting at 37.8% on the year. Las Vegas is currently third in free throw shooting at 83.1% on the season.
Pick: Las Vegas Aces
We’ve seen Las Vegas beat the best that the league has to offer this season. The Aces have dropped the Storm twice in three meetings on the year. They’ve already beaten Phoenix on the road and they are more than capable of doing a truckload of damage on the offensive end of the floor. Las Vegas has gone over the century mark five times and have scored at least 90 points in 11 of their 18 games this season. Phoenix has seen the under hit eight times with one push in their 16 games this season. The Mercury have struggled trying to get things together even with Taurasi back in the mix. While the first meeting this season fell short of the mark, seven of the previous eight contests went over the mark. With the Aces’ league-leading offense, this one goes over the mark as well.
