After a great season, the playoffs are here! We’re going to start with the top seeded Las Vegas Aces (34-6) taking on the Chicago Sky (18-22).
Vegas has been the outright favorite to repeat all year. The line has moved a ton as they still had a good 2nd half, but the New York Liberty have had a better 2nd half and have become a strong contender.
A’ja Wilson has put on another MVP worthy year, averaging 22.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while averaging 30.7 mins per game. She started all 40 games this season.
The Aces have their other 3 core players alongside Wilson in Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. They all averaged double digit points this year – Plum with 18.7, Young with 17.6 and Gray with 15.3.
This team is dangerous once they get cooking. The 4 ladies move the ball at the hands of Gray to the 3-point line for Plum or Young or down low to Wilson. Gray averaged 7.3 assists per game this year and is a huge threat to the opposing team’s defense.
Chicago fought hard to get into the playoffs and squeaked in as the 8th seed. They earned to be here, but man do they have their work cut out for them.
Kahleah Copper led this team in scoring with 18.7 points per game. Courtney Williams and Marina Mabrey play the next biggest roles alongside Copper. Mabrey was 2nd on the team in scoring averaging 15 points per game.
Williams plays an all-around game, averaging 10.4 points, 6 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. She is silently almost their secret weapon because of where and how she contributes.
These teams met 3 times this season with the Aces winning all 3 games. Will we see the same results as the regular season or can the Sky find it in them to get some wins against the Aces?
Betting Odds
Spread
- Chicago Sky +16.5 (-118)
- Las Vegas Aces -16.5 (-104)
Moneyline
- Chicago Sky +980
- Connecticut Sun -2200
Totals
- Over 170.5 points (-118)
- Under 170.5 points (-108)
Odds courtesy of BetUS
Game Information
- Venue: Michelob ULTRA Arena, Paradise, NV
- Date: Wednesday, September 13, 2023
- Tip-off: 10PM EST
- TV: ESPN
Chicago Sky vs Las Vegas Aces Prediction and Picks
Pick: Chicago Sky +16.5 (-104)
This shouldn’t be a tough one, no over thinking. It’s a lot of points and I think it’s too many points. The Sky have covered this line in all 3 games this year vs the Aces and are coming in hot. That can be the biggest key.
Vegas should come out strong and early. Chicago has really been gritty and fighting. They didn’t just fight their way to lay down and die. They’re going to contend like they showed they can this year.
I wasn’t sure how many points this line was going to drop at, but it’s a lot. I totally get that it’s the playoffs and the defending champs are hungry, but you have to think that they’re ok winning by less than 10 points because the W is what matters.
We’re just looking for contention here. This could easily be a 30-point blowout, but I lean with a game that is competitive enough for a team to cover 16.5 points.
Player Prop: Chelsea Gray O7.5 Assists (-113)
We’re going with Chelsea Gray on this one. She’s like the quarterback of the team they way she dishes the rock.
She has hit this line in her last 3 games as well as 4 of her last 5 games and 7 out of her last 10 games. In the last 2 games this year vs the Sky, she had 10 and 9. The most recent game when she had 10 was only 2 weeks ago on August 24th.
This team is going to come out hungry and they’re going to score a lot. Vegas will move this ball around a lot, as they normally do, but I also expect them to move fast.
Gray is the perfect person to put our coin on in a big opening Game 1. The Aces are going to want to make a statement with a big win on the home floor.
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