9:35 pm
September 24

Aces v. Sun

Who will WIN this matchup?

Las Vegas Aces

Connecticut Sun

 

Current odds:

Las Vegas Aces: (-280)

Connecticut Sun: (+240)

 

• The line for this game is Aces by 6.5 points.

• After opening this best-of-5 series with an impressive 87-62 upset of the top-seeded Aces, No. 7 seed Connecticut fell 83-75 in Tuesday’s Game 2. Thomas, the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder during the playoffs averaging 16.8 points and 6.8 boards while also posting a club-best 4.5 assists, suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter. When Thomas returned to the bench, her right arm was in a sling. It’s uncertain what the severity of the injury is at the moment. However, not having one of the league’s top all-around players at a crucial point in the postseason is obviously a significant blow.

• It seems possible the Sun will move forward in the series without Thomas for the time being. Connecticut remained competitive Tuesday until it was outscored 24-12 in the fourth quarter. Vegas star and 2020 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson had 29 points with a career-high seven blocks and converted a tiebreaking 3-point play with 1:03 left in the game.

• The victory gives Vegas some renewed confidence following its poor showing in the opener. Angel McCoughtry, Dearica Hamby and Kayla McBride each had 11 points in support of Wilson’s stellar performance on Tuesday. The Aces shot 47.7 percent and forced 17 turnovers after shooting just 33.8 percent and going 1 of 14 from 3-point range in Game 1.

• Meanwhile, with Thomas’ situation, the onus potentially falls on fellow Connecticut star DeWanna Bonner to carry even more of the load than she has already this season. Bonner, who averaged a team-leading 19.7 points during the regular season, scored 23 on Tuesday. Meanwhile teammates Briann January provided some needed support with 20 points and rookie Beatrice Mompremier recorded nine rebounds with three blocks in place of Thomas before fouling out Tuesday.

 

7/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Las Vegas Aces
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