Just like we all predicted, the Indiana Fever rolled through Game 1 against the Las Vegas Aces to steal home court advantage. It seems no amount of injuries or opposing talent can slow down the Fever after their upset first-round victory over the Atlanta Dream. All of a sudden, the Las Vegas Aces are facing a must-win Game 2 to avoid going on the road down 2-0 in this best-of-five series.
The stakes have been raised for Game 2 in Las Vegas. The Aces are 9.5-point favorites at home and hold -470 odds on the Moneyline at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Fever, as road underdogs, are +360 on the Moneyline. The total is set at 164.5 points. Let’s take a look at the best bets and predictions for this Aces–Fever matchup.
Aces vs. Fever prediction, pick
Kelsey Mitchell is more of a force of nature than a basketball player at this point. After going off against the Dream to power Indiana to the upset, she hung 34 points on Vegas in Game 1. Whether driving, working in the midrange, knocking down threes or getting to the line, Mitchell had it all going in the Fever win.
The frontcourt tandem of Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard was of equal importance. The two had the essential task of containing the now four-time MVP A’ja Wilson and did just that. Wilson turned 22 shots into 16 points while coughing up a few turnovers. Both Boston and Howard recorded double-digit rebounds, keeping Wilson’s threat on the glass reduced.
Lexie Hull’s performance cannot go unrecognized as she clung to the Aces’ ballhandlers the way a barnacle clings to a boat. She was key in containing Jackie Young’s playmaking, who had two assists to five turnovers, as well as completely shutting down Jewell Loyd. There may be no task too big for Hull on the perimeter.
This series is going to end up closer than we all anticipated. The Fever have the look of a team of destiny, and this clash in styles will produce some wild results. After Indiana won Game 1 wire-to-wire, expect a close-fought Game 2.
