The Wings are hosting the Aces on Monday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Las Vegas is favored by 3.5 points and this game carries a total of 176.5 points.
Let’s get into my pick and prediction for this contest.
Wings vs. Aces Preview
The Wings and Aces faced each other for the first time this season on May 28th and Dallas prevailed that night, 95-87. Paige Bueckers, Jessica Sheppard and Azi Fudd all scored 20+ points for the Wings. For the Aces, A’ja Wilson led the way with 21 points, but shot just 42% from the field, and Jackie Young and Chennedy Carter scored 15 and 14 points, respectively.
This season, the Aces are 10-3 and the Wings are 8-5, but these clubs are neck-and-neck in net rating, ranking fifth and sixth, respectively. Dallas is coming off a 84-83 loss to the Tempo on Saturday, but this came with Bueckers out of the lineup with an ankle injury. The budding star is listed as probable tonight and expected to play.
Dallas losing without Bueckers wasn’t a big surprise and with her active, the Wings had won five of their previous six before Saturday. Bueckers is leading the Wings with 19.8 PPG this season and she is coming off a season-high 31-point outing vs. the Mercury. Along with Bueckers, No.1 pick Azzi Fudd has looked strong, averaging 12.4 PPG on 50% shooting. Dallas inserted her into the starting lineup six games ago and with the rookie in the first unit, Dallas has greatly improved on defense, ranking third in defensive rating over this stretch.
With both Bueckers and Fudd on the court this season, the Wings owns a terrific 13.9 net rating, so taking Fudd first in this past WNBA draft has looked like a smart move by Dallas thus far. Fudd’s strong defense could be a big factor in this matchup, as she attempts to slow down Young.
After winning the WNBA championship last season, Wilson and Young have continued to be an elite duo for the Aces. Wilson ranks second in the league in scoring at 26.2 PPG and Young is averaging 15.4 and 6.8 assists per game. Carter also has been one of the top bench scorers in the league, averaging 14.4 PPG, but she is out tonight with an illness, marking her fourth missed game in Las Vegas’ last six.
Carter missing time hasn’t been much of a problem, though, as the Aces have won six straight, with their last loss coming against the Wings. Las Vegas just defeated the top-seeded Lynx in Minnesota on Saturday, 100-97. the Lynx lead the WNBA in net rating by a mile, so this was a very impressive win for the Aces and Las Vegas is now a league-best 7-1 on the road. Meanwhile, Dallas has won four in a row at home, so something has to give tonight between these ascending clubs.
Wings vs. Aces Pick, Best Bet
The Wings are trending up right now, but it’s hard to pick against this red hot Aces team that has been outstanding on the road this season, even though Dallas took the first matchup between these clubs.
Las Vegas should be extremely confident after taking down the Lynx on Saturday and there is a chance that Bueckers’ ankle injury continues to bother her. The Aces should extend their win streak to seven in a row tonight and backing them to cover this 3.5-point spread is the right play. On the road this season, Las Vegas is 5-3 ATS.
