It’s a battle at the top of the league on Saturday’s slate. The Aces and the Lynx hold the two best records in the WNBA going into Saturday’s matinee matchup, and the stakes speak for themselves. In what could be a potential Finals preview, these two teams will put everything they’ve got into this matchup.
The Lynx enter as 4.5-point home favorites with -198 Moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Aces are +164 underdogs, with the game total set at 183.5 points.
Let’s dive into a preview, prediction, and pick for this Aces-Lynx matchup.
Aces vs. Lynx Prediction, Preview
These squads have only faced off once this season: an electric 100-97 home win for the Aces. And the stars sure showed up for that one.
Minnesota got a comprehensive performance from its core four at the time. Rookie of the Year shoo-in Olivia Miles led the charge with 29 points. Natasha Howard made her presence felt with 22 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams had solid performances, chipping in 19 and 17 points, respectively. But the defense couldn’t slow down the Aces enough.
No surprise, Las Vegas’ stars went off. A’ja Wilson led the team in scoring and rebounding as usual, putting up 24 and 10. Jackie Young posted a double-double as well, racking up 16 points and 10 assists along with five boards. Chelsea Gray was her usual excellent self with 23 points and seven assists, while NaLyssa Smith brought her usual brand of defense along with 15 points.
For two teams with such incredible defensive infrastructures, it was a shock to see such a high-scoring game. But that was Commissioner’s Cup play, which gave the game an extra edge. And things are sure different this time around, because Napheesa Collier has returned.
Looking at Collier’s play, you wouldn’t know she missed the first half of the season with an ankle injury. Five games into her return, the former DPOY is putting up 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. On top of that, Phee is shooting 49% from the field, 40% from three, and 83% from the free-throw line. That’s an unfair addition to a team that was already playing like the best in the league.
Of course, this matchup starts with the battle between Phee and A’ja Wilson. Arguably the two best players in the league when healthy, these two can go toe-to-toe on both ends of the floor. But Wilson has been rolling through another MVP campaign, and Collier is undoubtedly a step behind at the moment. If Wilson dominates the matchup, it puts the Lynx at a significant disadvantage.
The backcourts are fascinating to watch as well. Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young blend scoring, playmaking, and perimeter defense better than any backcourt in the league. But Olivia Miles and Courtney Williams are a close second. Miles alone can swing that matchup with her incredible downhill scoring, but she has to hold up defensively on Young or Gray, depending on who Williams guards.
NaLyssa Smith is a major X-factor here, as usual. Her defense and ancillary scoring skills have tilted many a game for the Aces since her arrival. If she can keep Kayla McBride and Natasha Howard in check while providing key play-finishing, that could deliver the victory for Las Vegas.
Now that we know these teams a bit better, who is going to pull out the win, and how should we bet on this game?
Aces vs. Lynx Pick, Best Bet
It’s awfully difficult to pick between these two teams, but any time I see the Las Vegas Aces at plus money, they are a value. They’ve got the best player in the world, the best backcourt in the world, and the best coach in the world. Even against the mighty Lynx, that is enough to believe that the Aces can make it two-for-two on the season.
