WNBA Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 08-01-2018 22:00 EDT

Spread: Las Vegas Aces -1.5

Total: +174

In this all-Western showdown, we have a battle between the worse and third-worse squads of the conference, when the third to last Phoenix Mercury, who have won only once in their last eight games, are visiting the Las Vegas Aces, who on the other hand are looking to extend their current winning streak.

Mercury are 15-12 (15-12 ATS) so far in the league and are sitting on the 4^th place of the Western Conference. They are 1-7 in their last 8 games and in their latest matchup they got defeated by the Storm at home, 91-102. Aces are 12-13 (14-11 ATS) so far this season and have the worse record in the Western Conference. They are 6-1 in their last seven games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against the Fever at home, 88-74 score.

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Phoenix are led in scoring by Diana Taurasi with 20.3 ppg. She also leads the team in assists made, with 4.8 per game, while Brittney Griner follows with 20 ppg, adding a team-best 7.1 rebounds per game. DeWanna Bonner adds 16.3 ppg, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Las Vegas are led in scoring by A’ja Wilson with 20 ppg. The rookie also leads the team in rebounding with 8.6 per game, while Kayla McBride follows with 19.3 ppg, adding 4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Tamera Young adds 10 ppg and 5.2 rebounds per game.

This will be the fourth meeting between those two teams so far this season, with the Mercury leading 2-1 wins and having won the only Las Vegas game by 12 points. Aces have a 6-6 record so far, while Mercury are 10-5 on the road. Mercury have both a better offense with 83.7 ppg to Aces’ 83 and a better defense, allowing 82.4 ppg to Aces’ 84.6. Phoenix also have better accuracy both from the field, shooting with 44.9% to Aces’ 43.5% and from behind the arc, shooting with 35.4% to Aces’ 35%. Aces grab more boards per game, with 37.4 to Mercury’s 31.8 and commit fewer turnovers per game (13.4 to 14), while both squads are almost equal in assists (20 to 19.8). Both teams are in completely opposite trajectories lately and expect the hot Las Vegas Aces to utilize the home court and get away with the win tonight.

Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces Prediction: Las Vegas Aces -1.5 (-111)